Hardwood Heights/Dunning for work. Best affordable/safe place to live to enjoy the city and enjoy good public transit op (Chicago: best neighborhood)

[Demogeremy]

Me and my girlfriend have recently decided to move to Chicago in near future from far downstate because well we think it's awsome. We are 34 and 35 Caucasian with no children. We both have state jobs and can transfer to Chicago-Read Mental Health Center only on border of Harwood Heights/Dunning neighborhood. We are moving there because city life exites us and we love the energy and cultural opportunities. We are looking for advise on best neighborhood for us to live that would strike a good balance for a safe affordable place to live ($1000 a month or less) with good access to both work (Dunning) and downtown Chicago for play. Good public transit access seems a must but would also like to hear thoughts about relying on a car vs public transit options or a balance between both. Would expect to rent apartment for first year but may bite and buy a house/condo(under 200k)in near future. Please guys help and enlighten me with some economic and demographic insights you do so well.

[chet everett]

Honestly, transit options are sort of "intentionally screwy".

It really seems like somebody at the CTA prefers not to allow any good options to get to / from that facility. The "fastest" trip from downtown is probably to the Harlem Blue line stop, then the #90 Harlem Ave bus to the #78 Montrose bus to to the hospital, but that is a solid half hour worth of stop and go buses ON TOP of at least that long a ride on the El. Not much faster total trip via the Jefferson Park El stop -- while a #78 Montrose bus does sorta run past the north edge of the hospital you'd need to take that to the #56 Milwaukee Ave bus to get to the Jefferson Park Blue line stop, probably 40 minutes of buses on top of the El ride. In theory you could take the #78 all the way to the Montrose El stop, but again that bus ride is going to offset the shorter El trip.

I suppose if you live someplace closer to the hospital that might make for less horrible daily commute, but Dunning is just about the absolute most unlively neighbor anywhere in Chicago and neighboring suburbs like Harwood Heights are no better.

Plan on driving to work, maybe even from some place as "in the center of it all" as Lakeview / Wrigleyville and the 7 miles or so ought not take more than 30 minutes unless it is right during a ballgame choked rushhour! Of course $1000 is unlikely to get even a studio there. So stick with the driving and maybe look around the Belmont Blue line or Portage Park / Mayfair area. That way you can rely on the 24 hr Blue line service to get you to/ from hipper areas after work and on weekends..

[linicx]

Moving to Chicago from Southern Illinois is not only likely to be a culture shock, it is also likely to be a financial shock. The COL may be closer to double or even triple of what you pay now.

Chet has spent a number of years working in and around Chicago. Generally speaking, his analysis of street traffic, travel time, and options is spot on. Either live within walking distance or plan on two cheap, plain jane, cars if you park on the street. Car thugs can strip a car clean from its expensive stereo to its under=hood goodies, to the high-end tires and wheels in less than five minutes. You live in a City where limo, taxi and Zipcar, are easy to use.

Here is a very good thread on your area of concern.
//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...park-like.html