The Official "I'm visiting/moving to Chicago, what should I do?" Thread - Page 4

Steely Dan · May 3rd, 2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devon

ok, hopefully i'm on the right thread now lol. as i posted in the other thread i'm planning on moving from michigan to chicago really soon and was wondering where are the best places to find a place in a decent neighborhood with reasonable rent.

there are shitloads of great neighborhoods in this town so you're gonna have to give us more info on your criteria before we can offer any help.

what's a reasonable rent to you?

how much space do you desire? studio? 2 bedroom? single family home?

how important is diversity of races/ethnicities?

do you prefer hot, trendy areas? low-key family oriented areas?

how important is diversity of incomes?

how important is diversity of architecutre/housing options?

how important is urbanism?

how important is access to recreation/parks?

how important is personal/property saftey?

how important is access to rapid transit?

how important is access to an expressway?

are you into nightlife? if so what kind?

how important is car ownership?

where do you see yourself being employed? downtown? elsewhere in the city? the burbs?

etc.

you got to tell us more about what you want out of a neighborhood before we can go suggesting them?

Devon · May 3rd, 2006, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UrbanSophist

lol. Everyone wants to find a good neighborhood with easy-on-the-wallet rent.

The typical portal neighborhoods for migraters are Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, and of course downtown.

But give us some more information. What do you like to do? What is "reasonable rent" to you?

reasonable for me is from free lol to 900.00 per month.

Devon · May 3rd, 2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

there are shitloads of great neighborhoods in this town so you're gonna have to give us more info on your criteria before we can offer any help.

what's a reasonable rent to you?

how much space do you desire? studio? 2 bedroom? single family home?

how important is diversity of races/ethnicities?

do you prefer hot, trendy areas? low-key family oriented areas?

how important is diversity of incomes?

how important is diversity of architecutre/housing options?

how important is urbanism?

how important is access to recreation/parks?

how important is personal/property saftey?

how important is access to rapid transit?

how important is access to an expressway?

are you into nightlife? if so what kind?

how important is car ownership?

where do you see yourself being employed? downtown? elsewhere in the city? the burbs?

etc.

you got to tell us more about what you want out of a neighborhood before we can go suggesting them?

at this point size isn't a requirement, bascially a reasonable priced 1 bedroom apartment. between the price range of free lol and 900.00 per month. the area does not have to be trendy or a hot spot as long as it's nice and safe. diversity is always nice, i would love to be in a diverse neighborhood. although i have a car i would use public transit often. as far as employment goes i would love to work in the city, but if i had to i would work in the burbs.

chicagogeorge · May 3rd, 2006, 03:03 AM

Lincoln Square, or Albany Park on the Northside might work. I live in the latter. Good public transportation, great diversity, and rent for a one bedroom is around 850 (I think).

Toronto_boise · May 3rd, 2006, 04:26 AM

How's the transit?

ChicagoSkyline · May 3rd, 2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toronto_boise

How's the transit?

Chicago's mass transit is excellent, there are lots of options to choose from if you are living in downtown or metro!

gálibo · May 3rd, 2006, 11:24 AM

Visiting Chicago and looking at its architecture, i'll remember your messages.

Thank you

I continue reading this interesting thread

marooned · May 3rd, 2006, 03:06 PM

Since my Chicago for tourists thread has been closed, I will continue asking som additional questions here.
We are landing at O'Hare on 22Aug (12.20) and leaving 29Aug (16.25), plenty of time for having lots of fun!

For you who need statistics on the weather and lake temperature any time of the year, here are two excellent pages:
weather and lake temp.

The two cheapest hotels I've found are the congress plaza on south michigan avanue facing the fountain. The other is arlington house at Lincoln park. Since we are so close to the lake we want to use the bicycle paths and simply walk instead of public transportation and therefore need to rent two bikes. The bikes is too expensive for MTB rentals over a whole week. Are there any other places anywhere within a 5-8 mile area from the lake where we could rent mtb-s cheaper than: Day: $43, Extra Day: $14 / bike? Paying 226 bucks + taxes etc. for 6 days and two bikes is simply too much.

Steely Dan · May 3rd, 2006, 04:01 PM

chicago is so uniformly flat that there is no reason to rent a mountain bike. you ain't gonna need all them crazy gears if you just want to pedal up and down the lakefront path. just go buy some crappy old used bikes for 50 bucks a piece, ride 'em around town for a week, and ditch 'em when you leave. that's what i'd do anyway.

marooned · May 3rd, 2006, 05:35 PM

Ok we will try to buy some old bikes or rent some cheap Beach Cruisers instead. Thats gonna be perfect.

I suppose that biking in the downtown area is not a good idea, so we just ditch the cruisers by the oak street beach when entering downtown.

Mr Man · May 3rd, 2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

there are shitloads of great neighborhoods in this town so you're gonna have to give us more info on your criteria before we can offer any help.

what's a reasonable rent to you? $800, i like to do things cheap!

how much space do you desire? studio? 2 bedroom? single family home? one bedroom

how important is diversity of races/ethnicities? the more, the better

do you prefer hot, trendy areas? low-key family oriented areas? trendy

how important is diversity of incomes? no preference

how important is diversity of architecutre/housing options? somewhat important

how important is urbanism? important

how important is access to recreation/parks? somewhat important

how important is personal/property saftey? somewhat important. I don't mind however living in a "up and coming" neighbourhood

how important is access to rapid transit? important

how important is access to an expressway? not important

are you into nightlife? if so what kind? hip hop, etc..

how important is car ownership? needed for my job

where do you see yourself being employed? downtown? elsewhere in the city? the burbs? near O'hare

Really, all the above is secondary. All I'm really looking for is a decent high-rise building, with stores, restaurants, transit and other amenities within a short walking distance. Maybe no longer than a 30 minute commute to work. As for cost, screw reasonable... I'll go for downright cheap, if it's available.

luketownsend · May 3rd, 2006, 11:19 PM

I would definatly check out Rogers park/ uptown/ lakeview

Steely Dan · May 4th, 2006, 03:02 AM

mr man, trendy and diverse are a tall order in chicago. you're best bet is to find a place that is currently diverse but on the verge of gentrified trendiness. uptown, edgewater or albany park might suit you well.

wickedestcity · May 4th, 2006, 07:02 AM

wicker park is prtty trendy while being diverse, pub trans is excxelent there also

UrbanSophist · May 4th, 2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedestcity

wicker park is prtty trendy while being diverse, pub trans is excxelent there also

Yeah, I think Wicker Park is a good 'hood to start out in. It's relatively safe, it's diverse, you can find relatively cheap apartments there, its gritty, its pretty, its trendy, great location. What's not to like?

Mr Man · May 4th, 2006, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

mr man, trendy and diverse are a tall order in chicago. you're best bet is to find a place that is currently diverse but on the verge of gentrified trendiness. uptown, edgewater or albany park might suit you well.

Thanks once again. Uptown has been one of my top choices. I'll be in town Monday to get a personal feel.

wickedestcity · May 4th, 2006, 04:52 PM

http://media.www.trumanindex.com/med...epublisher.com

Chicago

by Alicia Collins

Chicago is so much more than tall buildings, bright lights and bustling crowds.

Although downtown Chicago is the tourist hot-spot, it is well worth the time it takes to find the city's diamonds in the rough.

Gwen de Veer, a theater major at the University of Utah, said many people do not realize how many theatrical venues Chicago hosts.

"When most people think about Chicago theater, they think about the Goodman, Steppenwolf and Second City [because a lot of Saturday Night Live actors started there], but there are a million little theatres," she said.

Some of those smaller venues include Comedy Sportz, an improv show that is set up like an athletic competition with audience interaction, and the Breadline, which has plays from young and unknown playwrights, de Veer said.

Aside from theater, Chicago also is well-known for its music variety. The Elbo Room is a good place to get a drink and listen to indie rock music. The Metro, the Riviera and the Aragon Ballroom all are sure to quench any music lover's thirst for a good time.

As far as concerts go, Chicago will host the Pitchfork Music Festival on July 16 and 17, and Lollapalooza will be August 4 to 6.

Other obvious yet entertaining places to visit include the Art Institute, the Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium (the largest indoor aquarium in the world) and the Field Museum of Natural History.

After such a day of exploring, any traveler is bound to be ravenous, and with all Chicago's restaurants, even the pickiest of eaters will end the night with a full stomach.

Magiano's is a little Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago with more-than-generously sized portions for about $10. Seafood lovers can go to Hey Sushi or a more upscale restaurant such as Shaw's Crab House. As Chicago is famous for its pizza, Gino's East and Giordano's are great places to get a slice. Café Babareeba and A la Turka also are great places for ethnic food, de Veer said.

Chicago also has the Taste of Chicago festival every summer along the lakefront in Grant Park every summer.

So plan a day trip to Chicago. Shop, listen to music, go to a play, eat delicious food and then call it a day.

UrbanSophist · May 4th, 2006, 06:09 PM

It's true. It almost sickens me how much theatre goes on in this town.

uberalles · May 7th, 2006, 03:14 AM

Any opinions on the "Go Chicago" Card. It looks like an alright deal. Especially when you only have 2 weeks and you want to show the kids everything in the city.
I have an unbelievable list of things I want to do. There's probably no way I could do it all in the 2 weeks.

If it doesn't bore people to much, I will list it. It may help others. (Not in any particular order yet)

Graceland Cemetery (My family's plot there.)
Devils Lake
Field Museum
Science and Industry
Shedd
My brothers house. (All visitors can also visit if they want)
Trump tower
Waterview tower
Play some golf.
Chinatown
Navy Pier
Lincoln Park Summerfest
Sears Skydeck
Cubs Game (scratched, too $$$)
Billy Goat Tavern.
Architectural Boat Tour
Watertower place. Shoping and maybe a cup of Starbucks coffee
Ditka's steakhouse
Superdawg
Belmont and Clark for some vintage clothing shopping (wife helped with list)
O'hare airport (maybe)
Gordano's Pizza
Eli's cheesecake
Chicago Arc. Foundation
Manodnock building
Devon Ave for some Indian food. Ghandis or Hema's
F L Wright Robie house in Hyde Park
Signature room at JHC.
Willow Creek church (wife again)
Carson Pirie Scott (Sullivan's work)
American Science & Surplus (Maybe)

Guess that's it unless I can think of something.
Is that a ridiculous list. I'm thinking it is.
Better wear my jogging shoes.
If you see a family running around the city. That would be us.

UrbanSophist · May 7th, 2006, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberalles

Cubs Game (scratched, too $$$)

You could head on down to the South Side instead!

Your list looks like fun. Regarding the Signature at the JHC: I think you need to be 21 to get in there... so that might not work with the kids. Also, the Go card seems like a good deal.

I don't know what your family likes, but if you're here for 2 weeks, you might want to check out some theatre or comedy. But do your research, or you'll end up seeing a show that's a bit too "adult".

May 3rd, 2006, 03:03 AM	#64
chicagogeorge Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: South suburban Chicago Posts: 5,313 Likes (Received): 111	Lincoln Square, or Albany Park on the Northside might work. I live in the latter. Good public transportation, great diversity, and rent for a one bedroom is around 850 (I think). __________________ for the Pelasgians, too, were a Greek nation originally from the Peloponnesus The Roman Antiquities of Dionysius of Halicarnassus http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/...assus/1B.html Macedonia, of course, is a part of Greece". Strabo, VII, Frg. 9 http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/...ragments.html But north of the gulf, the first inhabitants are Greeks called Epirotes.... Procopius http://books.google.com/books?id=9m6...page&q&f=false

May 3rd, 2006, 04:26 AM	#65
Toronto_boise BANNED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tdot Posts: 98 Likes (Received): 0	How's the transit? Last edited by Toronto_boise; May 3rd, 2006 at 04:37 AM.

May 3rd, 2006, 03:06 PM	#68
marooned Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: umea sweden Posts: 17 Likes (Received): 0	Since my Chicago for tourists thread has been closed, I will continue asking som additional questions here. We are landing at O'Hare on 22Aug (12.20) and leaving 29Aug (16.25), plenty of time for having lots of fun! For you who need statistics on the weather and lake temperature any time of the year, here are two excellent pages: weather and lake temp. The two cheapest hotels I've found are the congress plaza on south michigan avanue facing the fountain. The other is arlington house at Lincoln park. Since we are so close to the lake we want to use the bicycle paths and simply walk instead of public transportation and therefore need to rent two bikes. The bikes is too expensive for MTB rentals over a whole week. Are there any other places anywhere within a 5-8 mile area from the lake where we could rent mtb-s cheaper than: Day: $43, Extra Day: $14 / bike? Paying 226 bucks + taxes etc. for 6 days and two bikes is simply too much. Last edited by marooned; May 3rd, 2006 at 03:16 PM.

May 3rd, 2006, 04:01 PM	#69
Steely Dan facist lord of the cosmos Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: old style city Posts: 2,598 Likes (Received): 5	chicago is so uniformly flat that there is no reason to rent a mountain bike. you ain't gonna need all them crazy gears if you just want to pedal up and down the lakefront path. just go buy some crappy old used bikes for 50 bucks a piece, ride 'em around town for a week, and ditch 'em when you leave. that's what i'd do anyway. __________________ "I wish they'd hurry up and just destroy humanity already........... it's the waiting that I can't stand" - Philip J. Fry Last edited by Steely Dan; May 3rd, 2006 at 05:37 PM.

May 4th, 2006, 03:02 AM	#73
Steely Dan facist lord of the cosmos Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: old style city Posts: 2,598 Likes (Received): 5	mr man, trendy and diverse are a tall order in chicago. you're best bet is to find a place that is currently diverse but on the verge of gentrified trendiness. uptown, edgewater or albany park might suit you well. __________________ "I wish they'd hurry up and just destroy humanity already........... it's the waiting that I can't stand" - Philip J. Fry

May 3rd, 2006, 11:24 AM	#67
gálibo BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madrid/San Sebastian Posts: 149 Likes (Received): 0	Visiting Chicago and looking at its architecture, i'll remember your messages. Thank you I continue reading this interesting thread

May 3rd, 2006, 05:35 PM	#70
marooned Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: umea sweden Posts: 17 Likes (Received): 0	Ok we will try to buy some old bikes or rent some cheap Beach Cruisers instead. Thats gonna be perfect. I suppose that biking in the downtown area is not a good idea, so we just ditch the cruisers by the oak street beach when entering downtown.

May 3rd, 2006, 11:19 PM	#72
luketownsend Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 19 Likes (Received): 0	I would definatly check out Rogers park/ uptown/ lakeview

May 4th, 2006, 07:02 AM	#74
wickedestcity BANNED Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,570 Likes (Received): 0	wicker park is prtty trendy while being diverse, pub trans is excxelent there also

May 4th, 2006, 04:52 PM	#77
wickedestcity BANNED Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,570 Likes (Received): 0	http://media.www.trumanindex.com/med...epublisher.com Chicago by Alicia Collins Chicago is so much more than tall buildings, bright lights and bustling crowds. Although downtown Chicago is the tourist hot-spot, it is well worth the time it takes to find the city's diamonds in the rough. Gwen de Veer, a theater major at the University of Utah, said many people do not realize how many theatrical venues Chicago hosts. "When most people think about Chicago theater, they think about the Goodman, Steppenwolf and Second City [because a lot of Saturday Night Live actors started there], but there are a million little theatres," she said. Some of those smaller venues include Comedy Sportz, an improv show that is set up like an athletic competition with audience interaction, and the Breadline, which has plays from young and unknown playwrights, de Veer said. Aside from theater, Chicago also is well-known for its music variety. The Elbo Room is a good place to get a drink and listen to indie rock music. The Metro, the Riviera and the Aragon Ballroom all are sure to quench any music lover's thirst for a good time. As far as concerts go, Chicago will host the Pitchfork Music Festival on July 16 and 17, and Lollapalooza will be August 4 to 6. Other obvious yet entertaining places to visit include the Art Institute, the Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium (the largest indoor aquarium in the world) and the Field Museum of Natural History. After such a day of exploring, any traveler is bound to be ravenous, and with all Chicago's restaurants, even the pickiest of eaters will end the night with a full stomach. Magiano's is a little Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago with more-than-generously sized portions for about $10. Seafood lovers can go to Hey Sushi or a more upscale restaurant such as Shaw's Crab House. As Chicago is famous for its pizza, Gino's East and Giordano's are great places to get a slice. Café Babareeba and A la Turka also are great places for ethnic food, de Veer said. Chicago also has the Taste of Chicago festival every summer along the lakefront in Grant Park every summer. So plan a day trip to Chicago. Shop, listen to music, go to a play, eat delicious food and then call it a day.

May 4th, 2006, 06:09 PM	#78
UrbanSophist Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aberdeen, UK Posts: 2,874 Likes (Received): 0	It's true. It almost sickens me how much theatre goes on in this town. __________________ Chicago http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=381690 New York http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=378936 http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=378938

May 7th, 2006, 03:14 AM	#79
uberalles Boca Raton,FL (x-Chicago) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Boca Raton Posts: 430 Likes (Received): 0	Any opinions on the "Go Chicago" Card. It looks like an alright deal. Especially when you only have 2 weeks and you want to show the kids everything in the city. I have an unbelievable list of things I want to do. There's probably no way I could do it all in the 2 weeks. If it doesn't bore people to much, I will list it. It may help others. (Not in any particular order yet) Graceland Cemetery (My family's plot there.) Devils Lake Field Museum Science and Industry Shedd My brothers house. (All visitors can also visit if they want) Trump tower Waterview tower Play some golf. Chinatown Navy Pier Lincoln Park Summerfest Sears Skydeck Cubs Game (scratched, too $$$) Billy Goat Tavern. Architectural Boat Tour Watertower place. Shoping and maybe a cup of Starbucks coffee Ditka's steakhouse Superdawg Belmont and Clark for some vintage clothing shopping (wife helped with list) O'hare airport (maybe) Gordano's Pizza Eli's cheesecake Chicago Arc. Foundation Manodnock building Devon Ave for some Indian food. Ghandis or Hema's F L Wright Robie house in Hyde Park Signature room at JHC. Willow Creek church (wife again) Carson Pirie Scott (Sullivan's work) American Science & Surplus (Maybe) Guess that's it unless I can think of something. Is that a ridiculous list. I'm thinking it is. Better wear my jogging shoes. If you see a family running around the city. That would be us. __________________ Chicago Spire Information Chicago Construction Map (Google type)

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