Places to live in Chicago

[whattaguy]

I'm moving out there to attend graduate school in Downtown Chicago. I was born and raised in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn suburbs, but moved to the West Coast about 15 years ago. I don't know much about the city. The school is located pretty right next to the Cabrini Green area.

What prices should I expect for apartments either in the city, or on the outskirts? Thanks.

 

[11thHour]

Originally posted by: whattaguy
I'm moving out there to attend graduate school in Downtown Chicago. I was born and raised in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn suburbs, but moved to the West Coast about 15 years ago. I don't know much about the city. The school is located pretty right next to the Cabrini Green area.

What prices should I expect for apartments either in the city, or on the outskirts? Thanks.

How much can you spend a month? You can get a one bedroom anywhere from $600-$1200 etc. It all depends on what you can afford/want to spend, and what you're needs/wants are for the type of area you want to live in. Chicago is the type of city where you can be in a good area, then cross the street and want to avoid that area altogether.

 

[huesmann]

You mean like Baltimore?

Try Lincoln Park.

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: 11thHour

Originally posted by: whattaguy
I'm moving out there to attend graduate school in Downtown Chicago. I was born and raised in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn suburbs, but moved to the West Coast about 15 years ago. I don't know much about the city. The school is located pretty right next to the Cabrini Green area.

What prices should I expect for apartments either in the city, or on the outskirts? Thanks.

How much can you spend a month? You can get a one bedroom anywhere from $600-$1200 etc. It all depends on what you can afford/want to spend, and what you're needs/wants are for the type of area you want to live in. Chicago is the type of city where you can be in a good area, then cross the street and want to avoid that area altogether.

Thanks for the reply.
I would like to stay within $600-$700 per month for my rent, but I should probably be flexible. Cheaper is always better, but living in an unsafe area is never better. I have cousins that I could probably live with for a little while, but I don't want to hassle them too much and they live far from school (Carol Stream area). I don't mind a half-hour drive to campus, because I will only need to be there a couple of times per week.

I'm assuming it will be pretty expensive for the first months to a year until I can find a roommate. Thanks again.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: whattaguy
I'm moving out there to attend graduate school in Downtown Chicago. I was born and raised in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn suburbs, but moved to the West Coast about 15 years ago. I don't know much about the city. The school is located pretty right next to the Cabrini Green area.

What prices should I expect for apartments either in the city, or on the outskirts? Thanks.

I'd commute to school, but that's just me. Look just about anywhere that's close\semi-close to a CTA train station and you're going to be close enough to school to not have to worry about transportation.

 

[MisfitsFiend]

What school ar eyou going to that is near Cabrini Green? I can't think if anything around there but Columbia. Univ of Illinois, DePaul and Univ of Chicago are all farther away from Cabrini Green (schools with grad programs that come to mind). I just finished grad school a few months ago in Chicago. Nice areas to live in are Wicker Park, Bucktown, etc. You can find nice 3 bedroom apartments for 1200-1400/ month. With a roomate, this isn't bad at all. If you prefer to live by yourself, you can get a singel bedroom for about $600. PM me if you have any other questions, I'll be happy to help (I live close to the area you are looing at). MDE is right about being close to transportation. Many schools have a program that you get a cta (bus pass) for unlimited rides during the semester as part of your tuition...and Cabrini Green really isn't an unsafe area anymore (they are tearing down a lot of the "projects" in the city and relocating the residents.

 

[MaxDSP]

it's kind of weird around that area....Cabrini Green on one block, on the next you have these newly built nice houses and storefronts, with the party central Rush & Division area nearby

 

[11thHour]

You can also try contacting the school for resources of students looking for a roommate.

What school and campus are you attending...depaul, UofI, UofC, northwestern, loyola, other? Normally if you have to go downtown and live in the city, you (gladly) avoid driving and take the El (subway) train to work, or you might be on a great straight-shot bus route, (or if you're in the burbs you want to take the metro.) Those are important factors. Do you prefer to live close to nightlife etc, or are you open to living in the adjoining north suburb, evanston (home of northwestern campus), which is nicer living but less nightlife etc. (its 30 minutes-45 minutes downtown on the El, or less on the metra if it stops close to your destination in the city)

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: MisfitsFiend
What school ar eyou going to that is near Cabrini Green? I can't think if anything around there but Columbia. Univ of Illinois, DePaul and Univ of Chicago are all farther away from Cabrini Green (schools with grad programs that come to mind). I just finished grad school a few months ago in Chicago. Nice areas to live in are Wicker Park, Bucktown, etc. You can find nice 3 bedroom apartments for 1200-1400/ month. With a roomate, this isn't bad at all. If you prefer to live by yourself, you can get a singel bedroom for about $600. PM me if you have any other questions, I'll be happy to help (I live close to the area you are looing at). MDE is right about being close to transportation. Many schools have a program that you get a cta (bus pass) for unlimited rides during the semester as part of your tuition...and Cabrini Green really isn't an unsafe area anymore (they are tearing down a lot of the "projects" in the city and relocating the residents.

I am going to Moody Graduate School, a biblical seminary. AKA Moody Bible Institute.

It's actually located on LaSalle...pretty close to the Wicker Park area.

 

[11thHour]

Originally posted by: MaxDSP
it's kind of weird around that area....Cabrini Green on one block, on the next you have these newly built nice houses and storefronts, with the party central Rush & Division area nearby

Gentrification at its finest.

 

[11thHour]

Originally posted by: whattaguy

Originally posted by: MisfitsFiend
What school ar eyou going to that is near Cabrini Green? I can't think if anything around there but Columbia. Univ of Illinois, DePaul and Univ of Chicago are all farther away from Cabrini Green (schools with grad programs that come to mind). I just finished grad school a few months ago in Chicago. Nice areas to live in are Wicker Park, Bucktown, etc. You can find nice 3 bedroom apartments for 1200-1400/ month. With a roomate, this isn't bad at all. If you prefer to live by yourself, you can get a singel bedroom for about $600. PM me if you have any other questions, I'll be happy to help (I live close to the area you are looing at). MDE is right about being close to transportation. Many schools have a program that you get a cta (bus pass) for unlimited rides during the semester as part of your tuition...and Cabrini Green really isn't an unsafe area anymore (they are tearing down a lot of the "projects" in the city and relocating the residents.

I am going to Moody Graduate School, a biblical seminary. AKA Moody Bible Institute.

I seem to know a lot of people who graduated from Trinity seminary north of the city in deerfield, not many from moody (but I know its a good program.)

Directly west of there is not great, but that area, north of it, east of it, and somewhat south of it are fine. Some upscale places around there too. Generally that area will be probably be too expensive unless you live in a dump. I'm going to have to look it up but I think the brown line (el) goes very close to it. There are buses that go right down lasalle as well so they offer many options living north of there too.

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: 11thHour

Originally posted by: whattaguy

Originally posted by: MisfitsFiend
What school ar eyou going to that is near Cabrini Green? I can't think if anything around there but Columbia. Univ of Illinois, DePaul and Univ of Chicago are all farther away from Cabrini Green (schools with grad programs that come to mind). I just finished grad school a few months ago in Chicago. Nice areas to live in are Wicker Park, Bucktown, etc. You can find nice 3 bedroom apartments for 1200-1400/ month. With a roomate, this isn't bad at all. If you prefer to live by yourself, you can get a singel bedroom for about $600. PM me if you have any other questions, I'll be happy to help (I live close to the area you are looing at). MDE is right about being close to transportation. Many schools have a program that you get a cta (bus pass) for unlimited rides during the semester as part of your tuition...and Cabrini Green really isn't an unsafe area anymore (they are tearing down a lot of the "projects" in the city and relocating the residents.

I am going to Moody Graduate School, a biblical seminary. AKA Moody Bible Institute.

I seem to know a lot of people who graduated from Trinity seminary north of the city in deerfield, not many from moody (but I know its a good program.)

Directly west of there is not great, but that area, north of it, east of it, and somewhat south of it are fine. Some upscale places around there too. Generally that area will be probably be too expensive unless you live in a dump. I'm going to have to look it up but I think the brown line (el) goes very close to it. There are buses that go right down lasalle as well so they offer many options living north of there too.

I thought of Trinity as well, but heard that a lot of the good professors left/retired. I also liked the Moody campus a lot.

 

[juice22]

The robert taylor homes are quite extravagent

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: whattaguy

Originally posted by: MisfitsFiend
What school ar eyou going to that is near Cabrini Green? I can't think if anything around there but Columbia. Univ of Illinois, DePaul and Univ of Chicago are all farther away from Cabrini Green (schools with grad programs that come to mind). I just finished grad school a few months ago in Chicago. Nice areas to live in are Wicker Park, Bucktown, etc. You can find nice 3 bedroom apartments for 1200-1400/ month. With a roomate, this isn't bad at all. If you prefer to live by yourself, you can get a singel bedroom for about $600. PM me if you have any other questions, I'll be happy to help (I live close to the area you are looing at). MDE is right about being close to transportation. Many schools have a program that you get a cta (bus pass) for unlimited rides during the semester as part of your tuition...and Cabrini Green really isn't an unsafe area anymore (they are tearing down a lot of the "projects" in the city and relocating the residents.

I am going to Moody Graduate School, a biblical seminary. AKA Moody Bible Institute.

It's actually located on LaSalle...pretty close to the Wicker Park area.

Is evolution really a no-no there?

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: juice22
The robert taylor homes are quite extravagent

:thumbsdown:

 

[MisfitsFiend]

That's what LaSalle and Chicago (at least I think that is where the bookstore is)? Try looking west of there (this way you can just take the Chicago #66 (I think) bus to school). Just DON'T go west of Western!!!!!!

 

[zerocool1]

Originally posted by: whattaguy
I'm moving out there to attend graduate school in Downtown Chicago. I was born and raised in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn suburbs, but moved to the West Coast about 15 years ago. I don't know much about the city. The school is located pretty right next to the Cabrini Green area.

What prices should I expect for apartments either in the city, or on the outskirts? Thanks.

you goin to IIT or Univ of Chicago?

 

[RollWave]

Neither, rather he's going to MOODY! HAHA

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Try West Town or Ukranian Village.

 

[MisfitsFiend]

Hey elektrolokomotive, how do you know about Ukr Village from WAchington?

 

[astroview]

Moody, what a party school hah.

Check out craigslist chicago, and look for people looking for roomates in Wicker Park or Lincoln Park or Lakeview. The latter 2 would be easier to live in to get to Moody.

 

[Liviathan]

Originally posted by: whattaguy

Originally posted by: MisfitsFiend
What school ar eyou going to that is near Cabrini Green? I can't think if anything around there but Columbia. Univ of Illinois, DePaul and Univ of Chicago are all farther away from Cabrini Green (schools with grad programs that come to mind). I just finished grad school a few months ago in Chicago. Nice areas to live in are Wicker Park, Bucktown, etc. You can find nice 3 bedroom apartments for 1200-1400/ month. With a roomate, this isn't bad at all. If you prefer to live by yourself, you can get a singel bedroom for about $600. PM me if you have any other questions, I'll be happy to help (I live close to the area you are looing at). MDE is right about being close to transportation. Many schools have a program that you get a cta (bus pass) for unlimited rides during the semester as part of your tuition...and Cabrini Green really isn't an unsafe area anymore (they are tearing down a lot of the "projects" in the city and relocating the residents.

I am going to Moody Graduate School, a biblical seminary. AKA Moody Bible Institute.

It's actually located on LaSalle...pretty close to the Wicker Park area.

Check the Old Town area.