Still Need from Chicagoans help...Gold Coast, Streeterville, Lincoln Park (Ohio: apartments, rental)

[Mark and Marty]

We are 50+ and looking for apartment dewellers that love their apartment community!!! We have a cat, prefer non-smoking or great ventilation and no drab apartment layout.

Do you have any suggestions on specific apartments...we have done the internet searches looking for apartments that have glowing reviews, but haven't found anything that is stand out!

We can go to a one bedroom and pay alot or up a two bedroom and not pay as much!! We are pretty flexible, expecting to stay in a really nice downtown area for about 1 yr., but rethink (if necessary) out living location....live it up for 1 year!

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by Mark and Marty

We are 50+ and looking for apartment dewellers that love their apartment community!!! We have a cat, prefer non-smoking or great ventilation and no drab apartment layout.

Do you have any suggestions on specific apartments...we have done the internet searches looking for apartments that have glowing reviews, but haven't found anything that is stand out!

We can go to a one bedroom and pay alot or up a two bedroom and not pay as much!! We are pretty flexible, expecting to stay in a really nice downtown area for about 1 yr., but rethink (if necessary) out living location....live it up for 1 year!

I lived at 1 W. Superior for 2 years and I loved it. I was nice, clean, I had a great view, in unit W/D, a pool and nice exercise room, a business center AND you can literally take a back way into Whole Foods without even going outside. (nothing like wearing a t-shirt and shorts around the building in a winter and have people in Whole Foods covered in snow looking at you like you are a crazy person!).

It was cat friendly, not loud (although I had a neighbor that loved his techno ), and was diverse in terms of ages.

[Castro Viejo]

I recently went looking for an apartment in Chicago. Went through several places and found a few that I liked. I'm not a Chicagoan (yet), but I became pretty familiar with the neighborhoods you're interested in.

Cityfront Place (440 N. McClurg, Streeterville) is pretty nice. Right on the Chicago River, with some units having views of Navy Pier, Lake Mich, and the River. Somewhat convenient. Two supermarkets within a few blocks as was an AMC movie theater. Shula's Steakhouse is over on Columbus. My issue was the relatively long walk to Michigan Avenue (for transportation) and the seclusion on that end of Streeterville. It's too quiet. And the wind whipping up off the Lake can make it really cold at night. Fitness center has a pool and everything you want (classes as well), but it'll cost you $45 per person per month. There is no business center. About $1,800-$2,000 a month for a 1BR.

420 E. Ohio (Streeterville) I liked a bunch. Very convenient to anything you can think, but just as long a walk to Michigan Avenue as Cityfront Place. There is a business center as well as a fitness center that's included in the cost of rent. I passed on this place because they weren't sure of the availability for June (when I'm moving to Chicago from New York) and the rent went anywhere from $1,700-$2,200 a month for a 1BR. It was a bit of a gamble, and I wasn't too interested in waiting. None of the apartments have a balcony either, if that's important to you.

One E. Delaware (Near North Side, specifically somewhere between Gold Coast and River North, I think) I ultimately settled on because of its proximity to the Mag Mile (one block away), the Red Line (at State and Chicago), more bus routes than I can count, a business center, a fitness center, nice people in the management office, and they had an apartment available for my time frame. For my south view apartment on a high floor, I can see the top of the Hancock Center and the entire Loop skyline -- Sears Tower included. And a south facing balcony to boot! The price was also okay. $1,800 a month for a 1BR.

Good luck. Avoid realtors in Chicago like the plague when looking for a rental apartment. They're relatively useless in that regard, in my opinion.

[Deborah480]

We own a two bedroom condominium on E Elm in the Gold Coast. We are also in our fifties and love the neighborhood. It is the most beautiful street in the Gold Coast. Quiet, but walking distance to everything. Occasionally we rent it short term. When will you be here for three weeks ? Does this interest you ? Good Luck ! Chicago is an amazing city ! Deborah ( [email]Deborah480@yahoo.com[/email] )