Single, African American, female moving to Chicago IL…Where to live?????? (Lincoln: best neighborhood, for rent)

[milw-chi]

Hi all,

I am a single 30 yr old college educated African American female moving from Milwaukee, WI to Chicago. I will be working in the downtown area and will be relying on public transportation. My question is what would be best neighborhood for me. I would like to be somewhere that is safe, easily accessible to public transportation, not too far from the downtown area and is culturally diverse with a good amount of other professional African Americans. I am willing to spend $1000 for a one bedroom. Does such a neighborhood exist ???????

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ajolotl]

Depends on what you mean by "good amount", but the South Loop, the good parts of Bronzeville, and Hyde Park all come to mind. There are black professionals everywhere in the city but in relatively much lower concentrations on the near north side.

[Nafster]

Originally Posted by milw-chi

Hi all,

I am a single 30 yr old college educated African American female moving from Milwaukee, WI to Chicago. I will be working in the downtown area and will be relying on public transportation. My question is what would be best neighborhood for me. I would like to be somewhere that is safe, easily accessible to public transportation, not too far from the downtown area and is culturally diverse with a good amount of other professional African Americans. I am willing to spend $1000 for a one bedroom. Does such a neighborhood exist ???????

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It does depend on what you view as a "good amount". Contrary to popular belief, there ARE good amounts of blacks in Lakeview and Lincoln Park. Rogers Park is also a popular destination for young professionals (it has a large black population), and Hyde Park is as well. You might also want to look into The Loop and The South Loop. Those are pretty high in professional blacks as well. All are culturally diverse (with significant White, Asian, Hispanic populations) and if you're willing to pay $1000 for a one bedroom (which is fairly common in those neighborhoods) you should be fine.

Good luck and enjoy Chicago!!

[Organized Mess]

Originally Posted by milw-chi

Hi all,

I am a single 30 yr old college educated African American female moving from Milwaukee, WI to Chicago. I will be working in the downtown area and will be relying on public transportation. My question is what would be best neighborhood for me. I would like to be somewhere that is safe, easily accessible to public transportation, not too far from the downtown area and is culturally diverse with a good amount of other professional African Americans. I am willing to spend $1000 for a one bedroom. Does such a neighborhood exist ???????

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning: Shameless plug for the South Loop:
Hyde Park is good for $1,000 because a lot of the buildings are older, but in the South Loop, you're looking at $1,300 and up. The upside is that most of the buildings are new(er) in the South Loop (between 1 - 5 years old), so you may get amenities like a doorman, patio, fitness center, etc and updated kitchens and baths. Plus the South Loop is easily accessible via I-90/94, I-55 and Lake Shore Drive vs Hyde Park which is really only accessible via Lake Shore Drive. Good luck!

[Chicago60614]

I know quite a few black professionals who live in the South Loop and everyone I know there says they love it. Also nice areas in the West Loop or Hyde Park....like everyone else is saying.

South Loop is just much newer, but at the same time that means it's almost exclusively packed with people in their 20's and 30's, many new families and a lot of very new construction. Not sure on rents down there...but I'm sure if you hunt around.

Central Station is the huge develoment around there....maybe take a look. I don't know what's for rent though...which is where Criagslist or the Reader comes in.

[ajolotl]

I spent some time this weekend in the South Loop. The new buildings are beautiful and the number of cool things to do has increased dramatically. Location is also awesome for exploring the rest of the city. Downside as I see it -- unlike city neighborhoods like HP, Lakeview, LP, etc. S. Loop doesn't feel very cozy at all -- it a lot of very big streets and lots of car noise, not really a quaint feeling. Some more peaceful areas mixed in would give some nice contrast, I think. Still great, though.