Possibly relocating to Chicago

[Shawn]

I'm most likely going to be relocated to our Chicago office in the next couple months and I don't even know where to begin looking for a place to live.

Our office is located downtown on W. Washington St, very close to various El stations. I'm looking for a comfortably hip neighborhood...relatively safe...not too far from downtown...etc.

Suggestions?

I'm traveling to Chicago on a weekly basis now, so if anyone wants to meet up and go catch a show or something...I'm game. Saw McCoy Tyner at Jazz Showcase last week.

Thanks gang!

Shawn

[sal]

Hey Shawn,

If I were moving to Chicago and were looking for an apt. right now, I'd look south of the loop. It used to be a really bad area, but over the past few years they've been building units like crazy. Its a very up and coming type of neighborhood. The Velvet Lounge is near by, and you'd be a quick bus ride from work.

You can always move just north of the Loop to the Gold Coast area (about a mile north of the Showcase). Its a bit more expensive, but worth it if you can swing it. Since you'll be living in an apt., it should be OK. Also, its pretty close to work.

West of downtown in the Wicker Park/Bucktown areas are cool also.

Really, if you want to remain close to the Loop, you can't go wrong. Pretty much all the areas around there are nice to live.

The North Side is a nice place to live, but far from downtown. But the L and the bus routes make it pretty easy to get around.

I'd just do an internet search, and if you find units that you like, myself and I'm sure the other board members from the area would be more than willing to help with more specific advice. Chicago is a big place.

Good luck!

Oh yeah, shoot me a PM if you are going to the showcase anytime soon. I probably won't be going until Roy Hargrove is in town.

[sheldonm]

...what Sal said!!! Although I don't live in Chicago, it's a second home to me. Send me a PM as well when your headin' into town!!!

m~

[Rob C]

Lincoln Park/Lakeview are a bit further North, but not a bad El trip, and are very popular landing areas for new arrivals to the city! Wicker Park is where I live now and I love it here, too. Both areas have lots of restaurants, bars, records stores, etc. All the necessities of life. The Gold Coast and South Loop neighborhoods don't seem so much like neighborhoods to me--you just can't walk out your door to nearly as many cool things as in the other neighborhoods I mentioned. But your mileage may vary. In any case, just get a year lease, spend your first year exploring the city and then move where you like best!

[jazzypaul]

My thoughts:

South Loop has gotten too pricey too quickly.

Wicker Park can be more expensive than Lincoln Park these days, but L access, club access and good food access can't be beat.

I'm just south of Wicker Park in Ukranian Village, and I have to say that it might be the perfect Chicago neighborhood at the moment. Lots of public transit options (Ashland, Grand and Chicago blue line stops) 24 hour busses at Ashland and Chicago (the Chicago bus also goes to Navy Pier, which can prove helpful), cheap food, lots of cool stuff through the Chicago Park District (the Natatorium in River West is awesome, and allows you to swim in November) and ample parking.

Now, if you end up with a car, I would check out the south side. The popular answer is the north side, because people like not being able to drive and being overcharged for everything. However, if you like things like a yard, cool bars and a good ol' fashion shih-cahhh-guh hot dog, then you gotta look at places like Bridgeport and East Pilsen.

My $0.02, and worth exactly what you paid for it.

[ejp626]

I would probably give Lincoln Park a pass for various reasons. While South Loop is expensive, there are some deals on the slightly older buildings, since there is so much new construction. If I was moving back, I would probably look at Old Town or Lakeview and maybe Wicker Park. At least a few years ago, Chicago was much more a renters' market than a landlords' market compared to New York and SF. The Chicago Reader listings are pretty good, as is Craigslist (though Craigslist is probably best for subletting or roommate situations).