The Official "I'm visiting/moving to Chicago, what should I do?" Thread

[UrbanSophist]

edit.

[Azn_chi_boi]

The trip feels a little bit rushed. Is Day 1 really needed? I mean someone would rather spend a day at an outlet mall rather a world class city on a tour?

[UrbanSophist]

I NEED A LIL HELP...
sup everyone,
i want to move to chicago and i was wondering how much i should expect to pay. i have a dog that i have to live with and i want to be in mix of things. im pretty laid back so i would want to stay away from areas that have a lot of "young professionals who drink after work and become obnoxious," area of town. i also want to walk down the street at 2 in the morning and not worry about being mugged. So, in a nutshell, i want a cheap place that is safe, mello and allows pets. (one bedroom or two) oh yeah and how is the job market in chicago. my field is accounting. if anyone can help it would greatly appreciated. thanks

p.s i guess i should be more specific.

my price range would be 0-1200 (the closer to zero teh better). has to accept a 25lb dog. location location, if not be near a transit line. i would prefer One parking to be part of rent (if not how much extra a month would it be). umm thats it for now...thanks guys

As with any big city, if you want safe, you're generally going to have to pay for it... The safest neighborhoods in the city are also going to be inundated with yuppies.


As far as I know, Chicago is one of the top "accountant towns" that there is.

[i_am_hydrogen]

For anyone doing apartment hunting:

Make sure to visit the Chicago Reader website. Click on "housing." You can search for apartments by neighborhood, rent range, and number of bedrooms (studio - 4 bedroom). It's what I use every time I move, which is often.

[spyguy]

This is a good resource for neighborhood pics that'll give you a little bit of the area's vibe

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/

[forumly_chgoman]

Originally Posted by UrbanSophist

As with any big city, if you want safe, you're generally going to have to pay for it... The safest neighborhoods in the city are also going to be inundated with yuppies.


As far as I know, Chicago is one of the top "accountant towns" that there is.

This is really not true...there are plenty of areas in the city that offer cheap rent and are safe.....indeed most areas of the city are pretty safe....I was checking out crime stats....the 5 worst police districts account for an inordinate amount of crime

You really pay a premium as you get closer to DT...especially Northside, or as you get closer to the lake...esp North Side.....in general as well North side is higher rent that SOuth side\\\

Check out the Cta's and metra rail pages to view where there lines go.......go to chicgo webs site and check out info on the area near those sites to find crime info etc.........

good luck

[UrbanSophist]

I didn't say that there aren't safe hoods in the city that offer cheaper housing. What I did say, though, is that the safest will be yuppievilles. If you want to go for regular 2 AM walks relatively carefree, places like Streeterville, the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park come to mind.

[Vincey37]

I'm an accountant too

Originally Posted by UrbanSophist

As far as I know, Chicago is one of the top "accountant towns" that there is.

Definately. Chicago is home to the 5th and 6th largest accounting firms in the world - Grant Thornton and BDO Seidman. The "Big 4" are all in NYC (but have large offices in Chicago as well).

[rgolch]

Originally Posted by Vincey37

I'm an accountant too

Definately. Chicago is home to the 5th and 6th largest accounting firms in the world - Grant Thornton and BDO Seidman. The "Big 4" are all in NYC (but have large offices in Chicago as well).

Where did Arthur Anderson sit before they went down in flames with Enron?

[Vincey37]

Originally Posted by rgolch

Where did Arthur Anderson sit before they went down in flames with Enron?

Arthur Andersen is the reason the "Big 5" is now the "Big 4".

Grant Thornton and BDO are growing fast, but we're still talking something like 20,000 global employees for GT compared to some 100,000 for KPMG, the smallest of the Big 4.

That's why the government is essentially letting KPMG off the hook for the tax shelter issue - we can't afford to lose another big auditor.

[wheelingman]

Spyguy, thanks for posting that link to pictures of Chicago neighborhoods. I never knew that site existed. It is awesome.

[Quickdraw]

Originally Posted by Vincey37

Potential new resident here. I have a couple questions

1) Can anyone give me a quick rundown of the city/state tax structure and rates?
2) I'm looking for a one bedroom apartment, high rise and new construction preferable, convenient to public transportation, safe neighborhood, $1000 - 1600. Would prefer most of the residents to be young professionals. I know that's a lot of requirements. Any other buildings you've had positive experiences with or heard were good would be appreciated too.

Thanks!

PS. Are members on the forum not allowed to search? I keep on getting a page that says I don't have permission to do so.

You dont have to live in a huge highrise apartment, you can live in the midrises that look similar to these:




You gotta be careful though wit midrises depending on the area. Take it from me, I used to live one an apartment building and sometimes when you live in one you are stacked up in the building wit crazy people. And you have no where to go because you are stuck in that building wit them. When I lived in Southshore in the 80's, on Christmas one of my neighbors (RIP) was murdered in our building and the killer burned her body, along wit the entire apartment building. Everybody lost everything that Christmas. So watch what type of people live there because a bad midrise can turn out to be like a mini housing project.

[UrbanAfro]

Originally Posted by Quickdraw

You dont have to live in a huge highrise apartment, you can live in the midrises that look similar to these:




You gotta be careful though wit midrises depending on the area. Take it from me, I used to live one an apartment building and sometimes when you live in one you are stacked up in the building wit crazy people. And you have no where to go because you are stuck in that building wit them. When I lived in Southshore in the 80's, on Christmas one of my neighbors (RIP) was murdered in our building and the killer burned her body, along wit the entire apartment building. Everybody lost everything that Christmas. So watch what type of people live there because a bad midrise can turn out to be like a mini housing project.

I don't believe it has anything to do with the area. There's crazy people and murderous people in any kind of neighborhood.

[rgolch]

Originally Posted by Vincey37

Arthur Andersen is the reason the "Big 5" is now the "Big 4".

Grant Thornton and BDO are growing fast, but we're still talking something like 20,000 global employees for GT compared to some 100,000 for KPMG, the smallest of the Big 4.

That's why the government is essentially letting KPMG off the hook for the tax shelter issue - we can't afford to lose another big auditor.

Whether AA was guilty or not, I am so depressed that they were killed. It was such a cornerstone of Chicago.

[3tmk]

lol, well it's too bad this thread wasn't around when I visited Chicago.
But to all people thinking about a possible trip, GO!
Chicago is a great city, and I had a great time even if I'm from New York, with an amazing architecture, great museums, lots of nightlife fun, and countless other attractions.
On top of that I caught some great weather in the fall, and it was empty, so that was an advantage over going in the summer.

[Chicago3rd]

Originally Posted by Quickdraw

You dont have to live in a huge highrise apartment, you can live in the midrises that look similar to these:

You gotta be careful though wit midrises depending on the area. Take it from me, I used to live one an apartment building and sometimes when you live in one you are stacked up in the building wit crazy people. And you have no where to go because you are stuck in that building wit them. When I lived in Southshore in the 80's, on Christmas one of my neighbors (RIP) was murdered in our building and the killer burned her body, along wit the entire apartment building. Everybody lost everything that Christmas. So watch what type of people live there because a bad midrise can turn out to be like a mini housing project.

#1 those aren't midrises
#2 the 1980's????!!!!
#3 how many other people in Chicago (asking the formers) had people killed, burned and apartment building burned down while living in an apartment building?

[Chicago3rd]

Originally Posted by UrbanSophist

I didn't say that there aren't safe hoods in the city that offer cheaper housing. What I did say, though, is that the safest will be yuppievilles. If you want to go for regular 2 AM walks relatively carefree, places like Streeterville, the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park come to mind.

It is very safe in the areas you mentioned and it is safe in almost all the north lake side neighborhoods. There are a few pockets where one needs to be on guard.

This hatred and exaggeration of city crime just floors me. Most cities have areas where crime is heavy then the rest of the areas are safe.

NO WHERE ON THIS PLANET IS THERE SUCH A THING as a safe place to live or be....no where.

[UrbanSophist]

I just didn't want to give people an impression that they can walk around all over the northside and be guaranteed of safety. However, chances are very good you won't be a victim of a crime while walking around in the vast majority of Chicago at any time of the 24 hour day period.

[UrbanSophist]

http://www.nypost.com/travel/62301.htm

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...52C1A9659C8B63

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ion=chicago@49

[Mr Man]

Hey all, need some advice on the following neighborhoods

The area around Loyola University
Uptown
South Shore