Possibly moving to Chicago from NYC - thinking about neighborhoods (25 year old professional) (Lincoln: appointed, best neighborhood)

[thomasmgill]

Hey all, I'm potentially moving from New York to Chicago in a few months for work. Thinking about neighborhoods for a young professional.

In terms of rent, I currently pay close to 4,000 here in Greenwich /West Village for a 5th floor walk up, although I would love to find something cheaper in Chicago. Thinking around the 3k range to save money.

I definitely love where I am now given that the neighborhood is walkable, fun, has a neighborhood feel (no high rises) and pretty close to my office. Also it's quiet at night which I like.

If I worked in the loop (east side), what would be some good recommendations of areas to look at? I don't care so much about it being super young, but wouldn't like a family feel either. Definitely walking/quick L ride to the loop strongly preferred.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by thomasmgill

Hey all, I'm potentially moving from New York to Chicago in a few months for work. Thinking about neighborhoods for a young professional.

In terms of rent, I currently pay close to 4,000 here in Greenwich /West Village for a 5th floor walk up, although I would love to find something cheaper in Chicago. Thinking around the 3k range to save money.

I definitely love where I am now given that the neighborhood is walkable, fun, has a neighborhood feel (no high rises) and pretty close to my office. Also it's quiet at night which I like.

If I worked in the loop (east side), what would be some good recommendations of areas to look at? I don't care so much about it being super young, but wouldn't like a family feel either. Definitely walking/quick L ride to the loop strongly preferred.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Every neighborhood is well below what you'd like to pay in rent. Your best bets might be Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park and Old Town. You should have no issue finding something well below $3k per month.

West Loop may also be an option, but you'd have to walk the neighborhood to get a feel. The eastern portion of the neighborhood has some high rises, but the more recently developed portion has more mid rises. You won't find as many walk up type buildings in West Loop than in other areas I mentioned.

River North probably has some of the nicest apartments, but I'd avoid based on what you're looking for as it's mostly high rises and doesn't at all have a neighborhood feel.

[gladhands]

If you like the West Village, Lincoln Park and Bucktown are your best bets.

[OKParker]

Lincoln Park, or somewhere along the blue line like Wicker Park. You are looking at a lot less than 3k if you look around.

[knitgirl]

You definitely don't need to pay $3,000. The neighborhoods mentioned above are your best options. There are definite differences between them, so you'll have to do some exploring to decide which is right for you.

[ToriaT]

Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, Roscoe Village, North Center, Lincoln Square, are all good places to look depending on what you like. Get close to the L line. You won't pay as much rent here as in NY and you will never have a fifth floor walk up buildings here are no more than three stories max or they have elevators.

[compactspace]

I'd second Lincoln Park around the Armitage brown line stop (15 mins to Loop), or Wicker Park near the Damen blue line stop (10 mins to Loop). Both are low-rise, dense, relatively walkable and decently interesting. Just keep in mind: I love Chicago, but you're not going to find anything like the Village there.

Have fun!

[Kmanshouse]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, Roscoe Village, North Center, Lincoln Square, are all good places to look depending on what you like. Get close to the L line. You won't pay as much rent here as in NY and you will never have a fifth floor walk up buildings here are no more than three stories max or they have elevators.

Roscoe is very quiet and loaded with strollers/families, which isn't what you are looking for.

Logan Square, North Center and Lincoln Square are all great, but you'd be looking at decent commute from these neighborhoods. These are more distant (but nice) neighborhoods. I have colleagues who live in these places and it can take them 45 minutes to get to the loop.

Chicago has nothing quite like GV in Manhattan. Lincoln Park is the closest to it, and the best neighborhood for you, I suspect. Bucktown was another very good suggestion.

Wicker Park is cool, but VERY hipster/artsy. If you like that kind of thing, go there, if not, don't.

[personone]

Based on your criteria and your work located in the loop, I would suggest looking at Lincoln Park or Old Town first (located conveniently to both downtown and other north side neighborhoods, mix of young professionals and families, more low-rise buildings/housing, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, lots of shopping options), and possibly parts of Lakeview.

[thomasmgill]

Thanks for all of the excellent advice so far.

I'm really disappointed that there's nothing like the Village in Chicago, but I guess there are other advantages to neighborhoods as well.

I guess something else that's pretty important is short commute times / potential walkability to work. I know this depends where in the Loop I work, but so far only River North and West Loop really seem to be close enough to walk.

The other neighborhoods like Lincoln Park seem a bit too far for my taste - I guess I'm spoiled that Manhattan has mid-rise neighborhoods so close to the main business districts.

And yes, the cost is significantly lower in Chicago!!