Moving to Chicago in July... need some help

[neoteric lefty]

Hey guys (and gals). It has definitely been awhile for me since I've been on DU. Probably close to 6 months. I've been way too busy with a new job and other stuff. But not that election season is starting up (so early!) its time to get re-energized.

Any-who, onto the point of this post. I am going to be moving to Chicago in July for my job (Whippee!). Now, I'm a Florida boy, born-and-raised, and this will be the first time ever living out of the Sunshine State.

I will be working in Elk Grove Village and I need to get an idea where to move. Now ideally, I'd like to live in the city but that may or may not be feasible. Let me give you a list of the things that are important and maybe you all can make some good suggestions. Or, if you know of some good online resources, I'd appreciate if you could let me know about them. I'm so excited.

Here's a list off the top of my head:
- Diversity: Important
- Low crime: Somewhat important
- Nightlife/Social scene: very Important
- Greenery: Nice but not too important
- Short commute time (by car ir other means; work is near I-90 and Arlington): Important
- Good 20-something scene: Important
- Ability to keep and store car: Very Important!
- Dining (both good and diverse): Important
- Sporting events: Not important

My cost of living for an apt/bedroom is $1000-1750, but less is always better :)

Let me know if there is any other info I can give you guys that would better help you out.

Thanks for all your help!

[coffeenap]

1. Hi--I am suburban and older, but there are certain areas of Chicago

that are very hot right now--Bucktown and Wicker Park are two. Lots of action, diversity, great food, galleries, etc. Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Depaul are more established but still lots of nightlife. (Lakeview is known to be really comfortable for gay folk, but so are the other neighborhoods I mentioned.)Here is a link to a really helpful map of Chicago neighborhoods. Real estate is generally described by these names, so it might help while you search.

http://www.seanparnell.com/Chicago/Chicago%20Neighborhood%20Map.htm

Good luck!

[Radical Activist]

4. I'll echo that.

It sounds like the poster would enjoy living in a near north-side neighborhood. A lot of young people new to Chicago move to those neighborhoods.
I would suggest not worrying about the car too much and stay within the reach of the EL lines.

[tofubo]

2. oak park

anywhere in chicago that people talk about will meet most of your requirements 'cept for the commute and the car park requirements

any other 'burb around e.g.v. is gonna have an issue w/diversity

[mopinko]

3. unfortunately, your goals are at odds.

do you need your car to work? we do have great public trans around here. the burbs, not so much. but you might be lucky. if you are working regular hours, you are looking at a nasty drive from nearly anywhere. very heavy traffic area. if your work is trans accessible, i would work backward from that. i would also be prepared to spend at least that 1k for a decent place. likely more to the top end. housing is expensive here. you might be able to find a condo that you could get into for about that money. maybe. so much of what used to be the rental apartment market is now condo.
these people are pretty big, and are a good company. http://www.apartmentpeople.com/
most of the city neighborhoods in that general direction are likely to be more 'not diverse', but there isn't really much 'all white' left anywhere. you could probably find a city place where you can have the lifestyle you want, within a not quite soul crushing commute.
feel free to let us know if there is anything you need.

[neoteric lefty]

5. tanks

Hey guys. thanks for the replies. I have absolutely no problem with public trans, but I've heard that it can be a killer time-wise (switching buses/trains and such). I being from Florida, I am used to driving everywhere, so i always feel like I need my car with me. I have friend in Miluakee and Cincinatti, so I would like to be able to drive and visit them.

I don't necessarily need to move to a 'gay-friendly' area, because I am not, but I'd be just as happy if I did. I just want to live somwhere with character and soul. not so much the suburbia that I've been living in al my life.

more research ahead for me :)

[LSK]

6. try looking for a place in Downtown Arlington Hgts or Mt Prospect

Or Des Plaines or Park Ridge or Edison Park.

They are all within a 30 minute drive of Elk Grove Village and the Metra is right there so you can walk to the train and take it to downtown Chicago.

Also these communities have somewhat of a nightlife on their own, although nothing compared to Chicago.

[mopinko]

7. i agree these older suburbs

have more of a character of their own. the "inner ring" is old enough to not be quite the ticky tacky of the outer ring.

edited to say, be sure and let us know when you get here. we'll buy you a beer.

[never cry wolf]

8. Lol, "older suburbs"

I grew up in Mt. Prospect, family moved there in 1957 when I was 3 and it was then considered the far boonies, had cornfields we would play in. At that time we could drive to church in Evanston in 20 minutes.

[dogfacedboy]

18. A. Heights or Mt. P are right around the corner from Elk Grove n/t

[never cry wolf]

9. priorities at odds somewhat

Some good advice posted here already but yes, your priorities are at odds. If you want an easy commute you will not find many diverse neighborhoods, or any. Things are changing slowly but the NW burbs are still basically white bedroom communities. Commuting east-west for any distance is a royal pain. There is no mass transit to speak of in the burbs in that area except the rail in Mt.P / A.H. and from your work that is a 10 or 15 min drive to get to. (My office is under a mile from Arlington Heights Road/I-90.)

There is a lively singles scene in the area mainly centered in the Schaumburg/Woodfield area but nothing like the city. However, the good news is that commuting to the city on a weekend evening is not too bad, not nearly as bad as the rush hours which run from 7am to =/-9:30 am and 3:30 to 6:30 in each direction on I-90. If you are working 9 to 5 and want to live in the city figure an hour each way. I have a project at Belmont & Pulaski in the city (medium NW side) it is 18 miles away of which 14 are on I-90. Off peak (assuming no accidents or other unexplained snarls) it takes me 25-30 minutes. During rush hour it is at least 45 mins.

There could be some possibilities north and south on Rte. 53/I-355 as it is not nearly so bad as I-90, but again, they are mostly white bedroom burbs. If you are looking for a neighborhood where the is a corner tavern down the block, a ma and pa store across the street and a mix of cultures you won't find it within a 45 minute commute of EGV.

My suggestion would be to find a place in the Schaumburg area. Lots of apartment complexes of all sorts/price ranges and is probably more diverse than most. Close to work, shopping and some good nightlife. Motorola's headquarters is there as well as Woodfield mall and there are alot of transplants and singles. It is also convenient to I-90/Rte.53 from which you can access almost anywhere in the area.

- Diversity: Important....... not much in the NW burbs
- Low crime: Somewhat important...... low crime in the burbs
- Nightlife/Social scene: very Important........ there are alot of clubs in the burbs, but it ain't Rush Street or Lincoln Avenue
- Greenery: Nice but not too important.... Busse Woods Preserve is HUGE, hiking paths, rollerbalding/bike paths, picnic areas, very large lake stocked with fish
- Short commute time (by car ir other means; work is near I-90 and Arlington): Important.... how short is short? 15 mins? 30, 45, 60? In EGV it's car, basically.
- Good 20-something scene: Important.... I am now 50 something so not an expert but there are lots of clubs and such in Schaumburg. If this is top priority find a place at 10 East Oak in the city and walk to and stumble home from Rush Street, but stumble home early so you can leave by 7 to get to work by 8:30.
- Ability to keep and store car: Very Important!...... Harder to do in the city, in the burbs it's a given.
- Dining (both good and diverse): Important..... again, many good dining spts in the NW burbs but not like the city.
- Sporting events: Not important..... n/c

Like I said in the post above, I grew up in the NW burbs. I found plenty of 20 somethings and nightlife relatively close by but always enjoyed trips to the city on weekends. Nothing like cruising down LSD headed into town.

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. What never cry wolf said.

Also, the trendy city neighborhoods where the nightlife is are insanely expensive. I had to move last year and had to leave my Far North Side city neighborhood for the near west suburbs because I was priced out of the market.

[Susang]

13. Aw, it's not that bad!

If you look hard, you can find a fantastic rental in his price range. Mr. Susang and I pay $1050 for a three bedroom house on the far west end of Humboldt Park. If he's only looking for a one bedroom, he could easily find one for under a thousand. If he wants to buy, there are so many condos around here now, they're coming down on price, big-time. We have about three conversion buildings around here with 2 bedrooms going for $219,000 - 250,000. If only the ball and chain & I had some money in the bank for a down payment. Good credit would probably help too. ;-)

[greatauntoftriplets]

15. True, dat...

Earlier posters had referenced the pricier neighborhoods. I was driven out of Edgewater because of the cost of condos there, but at least I park in a garge in the burbs.

[Radical Activist]

12. You couldn't pay me to live in Schaumburg.

Why even live near Chicago if you're going to suffer living in some sprawling corporate suburb?

[jeffrey_X]

11. Tough one

You'll only get the Diversity and nightlife by living in certain parts of the city. Hard to get that PLUS a short commute. Your decision will probably come down to which of those two is most important.

I'd say you should check out the bucktown/wicker park neighborhood. It covers all of your items and you should be able to find a place to rent for the budget you have laid out.

[Dastard Stepchild]

14. Commutes...

UIC (at least I think it was UIC) just posted a report about the reverse commute trend that has happened over the past decade. 10 years ago, commuter work traffic flowed from the suburbs into the city, but that has switched, with the flow now from the city to the burbs.

I lived in Bucktown for a number of years and my husband worked near Elk Grove Village. His morning commute was roughly an hour, and his evening commute was about the same. So, if you'd like to do the city to burbs commute, be prepared to spend time in your car. He did this for years and he finally couldn't take it anymore, so we agreed to move to Oak Park while he was still employed with this company. This dropped his commute to about 30 minutes each way.

And a preemptive welcome to Illinois!

[ieoeja]

16. I have an apartment for rent.

And coincidentally my nephew interviewed for a job in Elk Grove Village last night then drove over to my place during rush hour.

He was horrified. He grew up on a farm and is currently attending Purdue University in Indiana. He wouldn't have minded whizzing in and out of heavy traffic. But an hour last night sitting on the brake rather than the gas pedal frustrated him no little bit.


If I was you, I'd look out there. But here is a link to the ad for my apartment anyway:

http://classifieds.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ViewAd?oid=165554

As you will see, I am asking $1700/mo, utilities not included. Heat runs about $300 a month max. I know. Ouch!


- Diversity: Important -- I had read that the 1990 census found my neighborhood the most diverse neighborhood in the United States in both cultural and economic rankings. It is becoming gentrified, but still has a long way to go.

- Low crime: Somewhat important -- not bad. Had my garage broken into once, and bicycles have a tendancy to disappear out of the backyards (though never my tools which are worth considerably more; which means it is probably just kids).

- Nightlife/Social scene: very Important -- halfway between Andersonville (gay/straight mix) and Lincoln Sq (the new "in" neighborhood in Chicago) with it's spring and autumn German-American fests. Not Rush Street, but ample choices. Both neighborhoods are within 20 minutes walking distance.

- Greenery: Nice but not too important -- one mile from the lake (Lake Michigan); one block from a park with four baseball fields, etc.

- Short commute time (by car or other means; work is near I-90 and Arlington): Important -- one hour by car (yuck!)

- Good 20-something scene: Important -- five minutes south to Wrigleyville; five minutes north to Loyola University then Northwestern University.

- Ability to keep and store car: Very Important! -- can you say "garage" negotiable? There is also ample street parking (yes, there are spots in Chicago with easy parking; go five blocks east, west or south and it disappears; go five blocks north and you can park a small fleet of 18-wheelers).

- Dining (both good and diverse): Important -- off the top of my head in a five minute drive I can think of German, Italian, Korean (lots), Philipinne, Vietnamese/French (lots), Cuban, and Indian (lots) in addition to the standard Mexican, Chinese and about a billion** Pizza joints.

- Sporting events: Not important -- five minute taxi ride to Wrigley Field.


The neighborhood is very close to, but not in, the spots you want. So you'd get the fun without the hassle. I do believe that commute would kill you. I did the reverse commute myself a couple years after moving here following college. For me the commute was worth it, but that was only after I had lived a couple of years in the suburbs first and learned to hate them. If I hadn't hated the 'burbs more, I don't know if I could have handled the long commute.

I can tell you what I experienced, but I can't make you feel it. And your experience may end up being wholly different from mine. For one thing that was twenty years ago. The culture may have changed. I read the 'burbs are less Republican. Also the Republican Party nationally has been run by Texans for the better part of the intervening time, so maybe they won't be so hostile and bigoted towards anyone with an accent (I grew up on a farm near the Indiana/Kentucky border). On the other hand, those same Texans were chanting outside the White House in January 2001, "the Hillbilly's are gone" and were falling over themselves in glee concocting stories about the "Trailer Trash" Clintons packing up the silverware and trashing the White House. So maybe not.

While in Chicago, Hillbilly is just one more ethnic group. And as one that almost speaks English, more welcome than most!



**Disclaimer: there are not really a billion pizza joints in Chicago. The author is using hyperbole to make the point that Chicago has a lot of pizza places. We even have the national chains though to quote one neighbor, "why anyone living in Chicago would ever order from a fucking Dominos or Pizza Hut is beyond me."

[dogfacedboy]

17. Elgin, IL. It's about 40 minutes from Elk Grove. Quiet.

Old river town. Population 95,000. Old housing and new. Diverse. 5 minutes, and you're out in the country. Restaurants. Riverboat gambling. I-90. Commuter trains. Getting Bluer everyday.
There are a few on this board who reside here.

PS that "40 minutes from Elk Grove" is with heavy traffic, if present.

[dogfacedboy]

19. Are you, perchance, a United Airlines employee? They are in Elk Grove. n/t

[neoteric lefty]

20. nope, sorry

[neoteric lefty]

21. I've been hearing good things about Schaumburg

but I am afraid that it will be too "suburbia". Does anyone know if has some decent culture and nightlife around there?

[DemKR]

22. Schaumburg's awesome

It's a very rich and safe suburb with plenty to do. It has Woodfield Mall, which is one of the biggest malls in the US...along with Streets of Woodfield. Great restaurants, kind people, etc. I'd love to live there.

[neoteric lefty]

23. hey guys

Looks like my 2 co-workers that I'm going to be living with are pretty set with living in the city, which works for me. I think we are going to be focusing on either Lincoln Park or Wrigleyville area. Everyone says that is a great spot for 20-something professionals. Also, DePaul is right there and I've heard that helps. I'm going to be flying up there near the end of April to do some hunting and visit some friends. Thanks for all your help. If you guys have any suggestions about areas to check out (or areas to avoid) in that part of town, they'd be more than appreciated. Can't wait to move.

[never cry wolf]

24. Lincoln Park/Wrigleyville are happening places for a young crowd

DePaul has lots of co-eds. Check out a bar called McGee's right by campus, great place for football and co-ed watching. http://www.mcgeestavern.com/mcgees1/index.shtml

However, parking is a huge problem and there is no easy way to Elk Grove Village. My fantasy football league meets at McGee's a couple of times a year and on a Sunday morning it takes me 30 minutes from my office at I-90 & Arlington Heights Road and usually 5 minutes at least to find a parking spot within a block. I have no idea what rush hour traffic commute time would be, especially on days the Cubs play.

It is a nice area though, lots of clubs, close to the lake and good access to the el. Enjoy!

[jeffrey_X]

25. You aren't going to get much diversity over there....

It's my biased opinion, but you'll be around a bunch of white conservative post graduates from the midwest. Yes, this is my stereotype of the that area. Not to mention a bunch of drunk, immature annoying cubs fans.

I seriously think you should check out the Bucktown/Wicker Park/Ukranian Village/East Village area. Basically, the area is bordered by these streets:

Armitage to the North
Western to the West
Ashland to the East
and
Chicago Ave. to the South

I've lived in this area for the past 12 years and absolutely love it. The area has grown and become gentrified, but it is much more diverse than LP and Wrigley. Division street east of Ashland has really popped and there is tons to do. It is cheaper than the area that you are looking and you will definitely get more for your money. It is also much easier commuting wise from this area to and from the expressway. Not to mention the blue line runs right through the middle all the way to O'Hare.

Just my 2 cents.

[mopinko]

26. prepare to fork over some really, really big bucks to live there

really big.

[greatauntoftriplets]

27. And to spend much time searching for a place to park.

n/t

[DaveJ]

29. Cool, what a coincidence...

I just noticed this post... and I has already recommended Wrigleyville or Lincoln Park. See below. Again, I'd like to stress that there are thousands of people who jog by the lake front, so if that's you thing, you might want to consider it. I have two kids and live in a plainer part of town, but if I was your age I'd envy you.

I have to say that, unfortunately, I think your commute will be a pain. But at least it looks like you have people to share the ride with so maybe it won't be so bad.

When it comes to your social life just relax, folks here are very nice in person. I dare say, one probably does not have make nearly as much effort to impress as in Fl. It's extraordinarily easy to make fairly decent friends here if you want. Have fun!

[DaveJ]

28. Take your unique opportunity to live close to work

You are very lucky to have that chance. That's my main recommendation. Don't pass it up.

Actually, Elk Grove is a suburb, not Chicago, though. There is a big difference between the people in the city vs the suburbs. If you want to live in the city you will probably have an hour commute each way.

I like the city personally.

Assuming you want to live in the city...

Diversity is high everywhere, crime should not be a problem as long as you avoid drugs and gangs, if you want a good 20 something scene you might want to live close to Wrigleyville or Lincoln Park, if you like to jog move close to the lake front, trust me on this, dining is good everywhere, and you would probably have to park on the street, don't worry about it, just drive an inexpensive city car.

But again, the burbs are different.

[neoteric lefty]

30. Update for you guys.

I just got back from a work trip to Chicago, and we have ourself a home in the Windy City. We got an apt in Lincoln Park (near Halsted and Diversity). Its an absolutely gorgeous place. I spent a few days and nights in the area, and I really enjoyed myself. Tons of nightlife and restaurants. The commute will be a bitch, but 3 or 4 of us will commute and I think I can convince the powers that be to let me work remotely 1 or 2 days a week.

Peace!

[coffeenap]

31. That is where I started out when I came to Chicago years ago.

It is a great place to get to know the place. Best wishes!