shudog

iTrader: (3)

Just moved here for work from Cleveland. Working on a big project called Roosevelt Square. On phase 1 right now that's supposed to run till summer, then phase 2 starts and they'll want me to move out here permanently.

Any ideas of AFFORDABLE, decent neighborhoods to look around for a place? I'm single, no kids, making $60 - $70K if that gives any idea of what I can afford....

Thanks.

john_matrix

You want in the city?

Affordable goes right out the window in Chi town for anything in the city or any nice suburb.

Can you take the train into work?

Some nice suburbs are Westmont, Downers Grove, Naperville, Woodridge, Lisle, but it'll cost ya.

baddogz28

iTrader: (6)

You're probably better off looking in the south suburbs like New Lenox or Joliet if you want something decent that you can afford.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

You'd get more action on this thread in the MW section, want me to move it?

Where is your project, South Loop?

Are you looking to rent or buy, and what is your budget?

SgtB

iTrader: (3)

yeah price range would help

shudog

iTrader: (3)

Shoot, price range... I suppose around $200K? Don't really want to take the train around, but I guess I could if I had to.

The project is right on Roosevelt at intersections of Racine, just west of Halsted. I'm sure there are plenty of nice neighborhoods in the suburbs, but I'm not looking to join the country club scene, nor could I afford to. I'm a single guy making okay money, who spends too much of it on cars, partying, and women. In that order. Commute time is also a factor.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

*Moved*

Well from there you can commute to a lot of popular areas.

Are you looking to buy?

Areas to check out:
Lincoln Park - nice, pricey
Lakeview - nice, more deals
Wicker Park - mostly nice, some deals, prices are all over the place
Logan Square - transitioning, some good deals, might be a little to transitional for some
South Loop/ Printers Row - Getting pricey, became popular 5-10 years ago
West Loop - Transitional, parts are crappy, some good deals

Post up if you need realtor reccomendations. My coworker just bought a 2 bedroom rehab by Roscoe/Southport and her realtor is young and cool.

StoleIt

iTrader: (3)

Maybe look at Franklin Park too, you should be able to scoop up something semi-decent for 200k, and the communt won't be tooo horrible. Anything on the north side is out of the question though for 200k.

shudog

iTrader: (3)

Thanks fellas. Exactly what I was looking for.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

You really need to nail down some details. Here are the questions I think you should consider, I just moved last year:

-Commute time? Max?
-Need off-street parking? How many cars?
-1 or 2 bedroom?
-Want to be near hip stuff?
-townhouse, house, high rise, small building or?

Outlaw Motorsports

iTrader: (4)

what he said

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Some of those areas are 30 miles from downtown. Driving that on I55 would suck bigtime. You'd pretty much want to take the train for that, plus he's need to take a bus from his work to the train stations.

shudog

iTrader: (3)

Wow. I'm a car guy. I don't know how you can live in a big city and still be a car guy. No where to park, taking public transportation half the time, stuck in traffic all the time when you DO drive....

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Here is a realtor that my cowork just used to buy a 2 bedroom condo in Lakeview (Roscoe & Southport)

Kathy Grant
Sussex & Reilly
KGrant@SRChicago.com

Now, you really need to get out there and check stuff out. You can live somewhere like Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lakeview and keep a nice car and have a good time.

I live up in Lincoln Square, up where Kathy's office is. I live basically two miles north of Wrigley Field. We have a lot of street parking and prices are okay by me. I tend to drive out to the suburbs for some car stuff, like car shows and meets. There don't tend to be any gtg's in Chicago. But I'd rather live in Chicago and enjoy all the stuff we have, and drive to the burbs, than the other way around.