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We're planning a move in the very very near future to Chicago. I've been to the city 100's of times and know my way around fairly well, but have never lived there so I'm not comfortable picking a neighborhood to live in without some sort of recommendation from locals. We need to be in the city, at least close enough to walk to one of the main el routes (not the outskirts bunch that shutdown after 5pm on the weekends).
Any suggestions on where I should be looking, and what I should avoid?

Decavolt wrote:We're planning a move in the very very near future to Chicago. I've been to the city 100's of times and know my way around fairly well, but have never lived there so I'm not comfortable picking a neighborhood to live in without some sort of recommendation from locals. We need to be in the city, at least close enough to walk to one of the main el routes (not the outskirts bunch that shutdown after 5pm on the weekends).
Any suggestions on where I should be looking, and what I should avoid?

didn't chai used to live in chitown?

Umm... avoid uh.. I dunno, I live near Seattle. It rains alot.

Sorry I can't help. I was there twice several years back for training. I stayed in Downer's Grove (just outside of Chicago) both times, which seemed like a nice enough place. But hard to get the sense of from a few days in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.

The only thing I can tell you is that when flying into Chicago at night, it looks like a jewelry box; like diamonds spilled out on black velvet. But I don't think that helps much.

I severely dislike Chicago. And therefore I will not be coming to visit you.

That in mind, you and I need to hang out in the very near future.

Call me, ya freak.

Tarryk wrote:I severely dislike Chicago. And therefore I will not be coming to visit you.

LOL

I do share the distaste, though.

I've never been there, but I can't imagine it being worse than Detroit.. windier perhaps..

I am sure there are a few minions out there that will come forth and spill their guts.

For what Kitkat and I do, it's the best city in the country for that market. And yes, as much as I love Detroit and all of it's dirty, chaotic glory, Chicago has a lot more to offer. Unlike New York, it's actually financially feasable to live downtown without a $1,800/month rent bill for a studio apartment. Public transit is incredible so we'll save loads on the car and fuel costs, and... we'll be in the same city instead of this 2 hour gap, so all else be damned.

Really I don't blame you.. Distances suck..

Decavolt wrote:Unlike New York, it's actually financially feasable to live downtown without a $1,800/month rent bill for a studio apartment.

Yeeeahhh, in Manhattan the rent is pretty fucking high, in brooklyn and Queens it's still manageable, but $800 for a studio in these areas are possibly the cost of a 1 bedroom something with a ton more room.

I just had a frend come BACK from Chicago and she didn't tell me anything, I just remembered I have another friend from Chicago and she'll beable to help me out, give me a few days and more information will be sent to ya.

Thanks Nex!!

So far I've been finding really nice 2 bedroom apartments for around $750 or less. It surprised me, but they're there and abundant.

Decavolt wrote:Thanks Nex!!

So far I've been finding really nice 2 bedroom apartments for around $750 or less. It surprised me, but they're there and abundant.

Yeah there's a rule I've found out in New York... you have to be rich just to breathe here

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Decavolt wrote:We're planning a move in the very very near future to Chicago. I've been to the city 100's of times and know my way around fairly well, but have never lived there so I'm not comfortable picking a neighborhood to live in without some sort of recommendation from locals. We need to be in the city, at least close enough to walk to one of the main el routes (not the outskirts bunch that shutdown after 5pm on the weekends).
Any suggestions on where I should be looking, and what I should avoid?

Here are the areas I know of that are IMO some of the best areas to live in.

http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=1437+N.+Wells&csz=Chicago%2C+IL+60610&Get+Map=Get+Map

or

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=603+E+Dane,+Chicago,+IL+60610

Either area are excellent. The bottom one is a bit further out, but still close enough to down town. The top one is in the old town chicago, where the great fire didn't destroy. It has got some excellent living in both.

I can't remember which are it is, but one of them is in the same area as Second City.

Good luck and enjoy, unlike Tarryk and Veldron, Chicago is an awsome town, small neighborhoods where "everyone" knows your name and almost anything you want (except a walmart) is in walking distance. If there is an city in the US I was forced to move to, Chicago would be my choice.

Thanks Mire

Rogers Park was an up and coming area when i left Chicago a few years ago, its on the Northside of the city, right off of North Avenue, which is a main drag, you can hit the El right around there as well, maybe even check out the suburb of Oak Park, which is about 15 min west of the city, but right outside, and the El runs right thru there

Awesome, thanks dude!