Looking to move to Chicago (job at loop) (Roscoe, Sheridan: condominium, homes)

[P4rD0nM3]

Hey guys, I'm currently [again] considering to moving to Chicago. My job will be at the loop so I am looking at places near the area.

Last year I was looking at suburbs but now I am also considering buying a condo at a high-rise building.

Right now, I am looking at places like Vetro (611 S Wells St Apt 905, Chicago, IL 60607).

Or the one near W Van Buren (235 W Van Buren St Unit 4513, Chicago, IL 60607).

I've been trying to read up on areas that are safe for a new family but it looks like the areas I have picked are in a less desirable area? Most of the analogy is the north side of Chicago is generally safer than the south side (not sure if this is the south side).

I have two cars so a covered and secure parking is a must for me though I think I'll be taking public transportation, biking, or walking most of the time since my job will be at the loop.

Here's a couple I'm looking at:

Requirements:

2 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 car garage.

- https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...7_M76360-10508 - 611 S Wells St Apt 905, Chicago, IL 60607
- https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...6-73949#photo7 - 235 W Van Buren St Unit 4513, Chicago, IL 60607
- https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...4_M89741-99200 - 2650 N Lakeview Ave Apt 1202, Chicago, IL 60614
- https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...7_M88767-95349 - 2909 N Sheridan Rd Apt 1602, Chicago, IL 60657

I'm even considering this - https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-95351#photo16 - 1548 N Hoyne Ave Apt 3, Chicago, IL 60622 - looks very sit-com'ish.

I'm mostly basing this off the first impressions factor as I have no idea what's going on in these neighbourhoods.

[OKParker]

Originally Posted by P4rD0nM3

Hey guys, I'm currently [again] considering to moving to Chicago. My job will be at the loop so I am looking at places near the area.

Last year I was looking at suburbs but now I am also considering buying a condo at a high-rise building.

Right now, I am looking at places like Vetro (611 S Wells St Apt 905, Chicago, IL 60607).

Or the one near W Van Buren (235 W Van Buren St Unit 4513, Chicago, IL 60607).

I've been trying to read up on areas that are safe for a new family but it looks like the areas I have picked are in a less desirable area? Most of the analogy is the north side of Chicago is generally safer than the south side (not sure if this is the south side).

I have two cars so a covered and secure parking is a must for me though I think I'll be taking public transportation, biking, or walking most of the time since my job will be at the loop.

Those two places are perfectly safe - not considered the south side. I would say that those are very desirable areas, ridiculously convenient for work & have good food options nearby.

[P4rD0nM3]

Hey @OKParker, thanks for the reply. Do you have other recommendations?

[fusillirob1983]

611 S Wells and 235 W Van Buren are in a safe area, but I wouldn't expect those to be the most family oriented areas. It also seems like a tough area to have two cars. 235 W Van Buren is basically the edge of the Loop. I'm not sure of a convenient place to buy groceries maybe down on Roosevelt or on Halsted. Not sure what your price range is but I'd recommend looking elsewhere if you can.

[P4rD0nM3]

fusillirob1983, what will be your recommendations? The listings I've listed are within my price range.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by P4rD0nM3

fusillirob1983, what will be your recommendations? The listings I've listed are within my price range.

What are some of your other criteria at this point? I just saw you updated your thread in the suburb forum after I responded to this thread and being right in the Loop isn't what I'd expect based on what's stated in the other thread.

[P4rD0nM3]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

What are some of your other criteria at this point? I just saw you updated your thread in the suburb forum after I responded to this thread and being right in the Loop isn't what I'd expect based on what's stated in the other thread.

I’m considering a shorter commute now as opposed to the hour+ long commutes if I’m going to be living in the suburbs.

Right now my main criteria is that if im going to be buying a condominium in a high-rise, it should be pretty close to my job which is at the loop.

2 bed, 2 ba, 2 car, will be my minimum.

I also do a lot of traveling and I love my cars so a covered and secure garage is something I’m looking for.

I’ll probably have more later as I’m actually driving to Chicago today again to check out the neighborhoods.

I’m also not sure what 300K-600K in suburbs translates to in these areas. For example the Vetro cost around 400K. And it seems like an OK (affluent?) area?

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by P4rD0nM3

I’m considering a shorter commute now as opposed to the hour+ long commutes if I’m going to be living in the suburbs.

Right now my main criteria is that if im going to be buying a condominium in a high-rise, it should be pretty close to my job which is at the loop.

2 bed, 2 ba, 2 car, will be my minimum.

I also do a lot of traveling and I love my cars so a covered and secure garage is something I’m looking for.

I’ll probably have more later as I’m actually driving to Chicago today again to check out the neighborhoods.

I’m also not sure what 300K-600K in suburbs translates to in these areas. For example the Vetro cost around 400K. And it seems like an OK (affluent?) area?

It really depends how short of a commute. Previously it looked like you were looking st a 30 minute drive or less. That opens you up to quite a bit of options in the city. I would say the Loop in general is "affluent". Where you're talking about specifically is right between the Loop and the Chicago River, and not exactly an area with a great view or lots of foot traffic. You'll see what I'm talking about if you drive through. The highway emerges right around there, so affluent isn't really the issue. It would just be on a block by block basis kind of an unusual place to live, in my mind at least. A couple blocks north or east and it's a totally different feel.

Regarding the south side, you'd probably want to look north of Cermak if you're east of the highway. It's relatively safe down in Bridgeport where the White Sox play, but if you're not from the area it may be less desirable to be in Bridgeport. If you want to be that close to downtown somewhere in the South Loop closer to Roosevelt Road has a little bit more around it. Depending how long of a commute you want, there's probably some north side neighborhoods that fit your budget.

[P4rD0nM3]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

It really depends how short of a commute. Previously it looked like you were looking st a 30 minute drive or less. That opens you up to quite a bit of options in the city. I would say the Loop in general is "affluent". Where you're talking about specifically is right between the Loop and the Chicago River, and not exactly an area with a great view or lots of foot traffic. You'll see what I'm talking about if you drive through. The highway emerges right around there, so affluent isn't really the issue. It would just be on a block by block basis kind of an unusual place to live, in my mind at least. A couple blocks north or east and it's a totally different feel.

Regarding the south side, you'd probably want to look north of Cermak if you're east of the highway. It's relatively safe down in Bridgeport where the White Sox play, but if you're not from the area it may be less desirable to be in Bridgeport. If you want to be that close to downtown somewhere in the South Loop closer to Roosevelt Road has a little bit more around it. Depending how long of a commute you want, there's probably some north side neighborhoods that fit your budget.

I don't have any particular preference i.e. south, west, or north as long as it's near my place of work. If it's 30+ minutes then I would probably drive my car as opposed to using public transportation. Haven't really used public transportation in a long while now.

I've been living in the suburbs for most of my adult life (late 30's) as opposed to when I was in college (major city) so I've gotten pretty used to driving a car if I want to get/do something.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by P4rD0nM3

I don't have any particular preference i.e. south, west, or north as long as it's near my place of work. If it's 30+ minutes then I would probably drive my car as opposed to using public transportation. Haven't really used public transportation in a long while now.

I've been living in the suburbs for most of my adult life (late 30's) as opposed to when I was in college (major city) so I've gotten pretty used to driving a car if I want to get/do something.

One other place you mentioned earlier at 1508 N Hotne - that sounds like Wicker Park. I would imagine there's other 2bed, 2 bath condos in that area in your price range, same with Roscoe Village and North Center, maybe even parts of Lakeview. Those would all get you to the Loop in 30 minutes or less.