Chicago area residents in please

[YetAnotherOne]

I'll be in the area from approximately August 1 until approximately March 1. I don't know the city well at all but I'll be looking for a place w/in 30 minutes of the downtown area. Suggestions on general areas to check out / avoid would be very helpful and specific recommendations (furnished, short lease, doesn't have to be large or great, just clean & relatively safe) would be welcome as well.

Thanks!

[1trussell]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

My sister and brother-in-law are looking to sell their penthouse in Lincoln Park. I could put in a good word for ya. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

Get back to me in a year when I decide whether I'm sticking around or not. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[jk2171]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

Are you going to be relying on public transportation or will you have a car? There are some nice suburban places to stay that are within 1/2 hour of the Loop (on a good trafiic day). I'll try to help you out with some suggestions.

[L]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

Here's a great site:

http://centerstagechicago.com/virtual-el/

&

http://centerstagechicago.com/lifest.../l-guides.html

I only really hang on the North side. I have been to the South side a bit - around Printer's Row and stuff, but I prefer the North Side.

If you want to live in a place with lots of night life/restaurants/cool shops, check these areas out (In my opinion, right now I think Ukranian Village might be the best value as far as price vs. things to do, but it's not necessarily close to the El. Otherwise I'd go Bucktown/Wicker Park):

* Bucktown
* Lakeview
* Lincoln Park
* Lincoln Square
* North Center
* Old Town
* Roscoe Village
* Ukrainian Village
* Wicker Park
* Wrigleyville

[L]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

and this is a decent place to find places for rent:

http://classifieds.chicagoreader.com...ction=oid%3A8&

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

[ QUOTE ]
Are you going to be relying on public transportation or will you have a car? There are some nice suburban places to stay that are within 1/2 hour of the Loop (on a good trafiic day). I'll try to help you out with some suggestions.

[/ QUOTE ]

Many thanks! I'll definitely have a car so public transportation won't be an issue.

Lance - thanks for the links, those are just the sort of things I was hoping to find.

[L]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

if you are working in the loop, having a car means you're going to pay $200 - $300 a month to park it.

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

That's about what I expected but thanks for the head's up.

[Tekky]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

Do you use your car for your job?

Honestly, taking the 'L' or a bus into the Loop is your best bet. Not only is it cheaper, but more often than not, during rush-hour, you'll find it's faster. And besides expensive, parking is a bitch. In the Loop and in the neighborhoods.

As far as living goes, you should look to be somewhere near the 'L'. It's your fastest and most reliable way into the Loop.

[1trussell]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

Dude, if you end up in Chicago, we're going to have to hook up. It's looking like the wife and I will be moving up there in early 2008. Maybe you'll still have a GMP or 2 I could get my grubby paws on. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[sully]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

aw man, i miss home.

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

Definitely Travis! There'll be quite a few GMPs in the stable for the forseeable future. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Tekky]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

[ QUOTE ]
aw man, i miss home.

[/ QUOTE ]

Trip to the River North Portillo's in it for ya if you come back to visit.

[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

(Damn, I should work for the Chicago Office of Tourism!!)

[len]

Re: Chicago area residents in please

[ QUOTE ]
Portillo's

[/ QUOTE ]
damn i miss portillo's !!!we had some fed exed on thanksgiving [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
down here in wilmington nc ..its vinegar bbq sauce and cole slaw on cheeseburgers!!WTF [img]/images/graemlins/eviltongue.gif[/img]


but there's allot less snow!!! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]