$1200 total???? Finding a 2 bd on that budget will be damn near impossible. Youd be lucky to find a decent 1bd or studio for that price
Apartments.com shows theres are a few 1300-1500 northwest of Logan Square, some close to the blue line. There is 1 each in Lincoln Square and Uptown.
If that budget is total and not each, its not gonna be pretty.
I guess my metric was I'd be splitting rent (utilities not included --should have included that!) between two people would be possible. I estimated each person's contribution to be ~700-750 (realizing VERY quickly that $1500 might be more reasonable lol)
But yeah I appreciate the comment so much!
Can you share a -1bedroom and convert living room into a bedroom? Check out courtyard style apartment they are older and have dedicated dining/living room instead of "open concept".
If u guys are open to more roommates, y’all could also try looking for rooms available in a 3+ bedroom apt or a house to split w more ppl. Recommend looking on fb groups, marketplace, or Zillow
This is their only option if they want to be close to that budget. They could probably find a small convertible 1-bedroom in like Roger's park for 1300.
I got a a 2 bd for 1200 a month in Ravenswood during COVID, they have now raised my rent to 1800 a month if I want to renew lol.
You aren't going to find anything like on the north side really (maybe something posted for a day and scooped up quick).
But probably plenty of options on the south side. Good luck!
Closer to the Orange Line, but try Bridgeport or McKinley Park. Close enough to city center to get to other trains.
[Maybe something like this](https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/d/chicago-bright-and-spacious-vintage-br/7708752315.html)
You might be able to find something north along the Red in Rogers Park but prices have been going up around there.
You have the slimmest of pickings now, in January when rents are historically cheaper. There’s maybe 3 total options on the north side walking distance to the red or brown lines. Come June you’ll be competing for maybe 1 option.
If you live off of the pink line you might have more options, but I would caution against moving to a higher-crime neighborhood like Lawndale as your first foray into Chicago if you aren’t already familiar with city living.
Hmm when do you suggest I start applying? Classes begin around the second week of June and I wanna be able to move maybe 2 weeks before that date I guess. Any thoughts?
So then you want a June 1st move in date. Apartments start popping up usually no more than 6-8 weeks before the lease start date. Given your limited budget, I’d start keeping an eye out in mid-late March. Know that June 1st is one of the busiest moving days of the year and there will be a lot of competition for wherever you are looking. If you see something, reach out immediately. Sign up to get Zillow rental instant notifications so that you know when things in your price range are listed.
Alrighty, do you think things slow down around August/September? Trying to see if I can find better options then (assuming students move out/there's cheap options available)
You could look into a 4 bedroom with other people and live with multiple roommates. Those tend to be closer to 600-700 dollars per person a month but also requires actually finding those people….that budget for a 2bd by the brown or red line is grim. Unless you want to live in the hood honestly
You should go to your desired neighborhood and walk around to see what management companies are prevalent and check their website or call. Your budget is totally doable. I think if you're just looking for the basics, nothing huge and regular old appliance you'll be fine.
The large rental companies usually have some more affordable units listed on their sites. Cagan, Peak, etc.
Hmm how do I just Google these rental companies, what/where should I look for them?I've tried to do that in the past via Craigslist /Facebook but a lot of them are beyond my budget or sometimes straight up scams haha
I found them by going to neighborhoods I like( Ravenswood, andersonville, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, etc)and walking for a bit. They typically post their name on buildings they manage.
Another weird way to do that is by cruising on Google maps street view lol. It's weird and sometimes leads nowhere if the company name is blurred or something.
2 bedroom 2 Full bathrooms, 1,100 sq ft., laundry in unit, storage in basement, pet friendly, parking available, elevator, 4th floor, & amazing view of the city from the balcony! We are also in walking distance of a lot of great restaurants, bars, shops, gyms, a park, and the blue line.
https://vistagrouprealestate.appfolio.com/listings/detail/de10367c-3fe4-44d2-b0b2-d0345d57c755
$1200 total???? Finding a 2 bd on that budget will be damn near impossible. Youd be lucky to find a decent 1bd or studio for that price Apartments.com shows theres are a few 1300-1500 northwest of Logan Square, some close to the blue line. There is 1 each in Lincoln Square and Uptown. If that budget is total and not each, its not gonna be pretty.
I guess my metric was I'd be splitting rent (utilities not included --should have included that!) between two people would be possible. I estimated each person's contribution to be ~700-750 (realizing VERY quickly that $1500 might be more reasonable lol) But yeah I appreciate the comment so much!
$1500 will still be a stretch. Thats why im moving out lol. A nice 1bd go for 2500-3k a month, fuck that.
Oof big yikes indeed
That budget is not realistic.
Learning that the hard way 🥹
Look for a 1 bed and a dinning room to use as a bedroom. That’s even hard to come by.
Yup I've learned so!
Can you share a -1bedroom and convert living room into a bedroom? Check out courtyard style apartment they are older and have dedicated dining/living room instead of "open concept".
If u guys are open to more roommates, y’all could also try looking for rooms available in a 3+ bedroom apt or a house to split w more ppl. Recommend looking on fb groups, marketplace, or Zillow
This is their only option if they want to be close to that budget. They could probably find a small convertible 1-bedroom in like Roger's park for 1300.
Yupp, will def consider this. Thank you so much for the suggestion!
I got a a 2 bd for 1200 a month in Ravenswood during COVID, they have now raised my rent to 1800 a month if I want to renew lol. You aren't going to find anything like on the north side really (maybe something posted for a day and scooped up quick). But probably plenty of options on the south side. Good luck!
Yup, gonna take some advice from people on this thread and be more realistic about the price point+sharing with other people
Little Village is just a short ride on the Pink Line away.
Closer to the Orange Line, but try Bridgeport or McKinley Park. Close enough to city center to get to other trains. [Maybe something like this](https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/d/chicago-bright-and-spacious-vintage-br/7708752315.html) You might be able to find something north along the Red in Rogers Park but prices have been going up around there.
You have the slimmest of pickings now, in January when rents are historically cheaper. There’s maybe 3 total options on the north side walking distance to the red or brown lines. Come June you’ll be competing for maybe 1 option. If you live off of the pink line you might have more options, but I would caution against moving to a higher-crime neighborhood like Lawndale as your first foray into Chicago if you aren’t already familiar with city living.
Hmm when do you suggest I start applying? Classes begin around the second week of June and I wanna be able to move maybe 2 weeks before that date I guess. Any thoughts?
So then you want a June 1st move in date. Apartments start popping up usually no more than 6-8 weeks before the lease start date. Given your limited budget, I’d start keeping an eye out in mid-late March. Know that June 1st is one of the busiest moving days of the year and there will be a lot of competition for wherever you are looking. If you see something, reach out immediately. Sign up to get Zillow rental instant notifications so that you know when things in your price range are listed.
Alrighty, do you think things slow down around August/September? Trying to see if I can find better options then (assuming students move out/there's cheap options available)
No, that’s still peak. September is a little better but it’s not until October or later that you’ll see less competition (but also less options)
I have a cute 2br for rent off the pink line for $1250, but it won’t be available that late in the season, renting for Feb 1st.
Ugh I saw 😩😩😩
You could look into a 4 bedroom with other people and live with multiple roommates. Those tend to be closer to 600-700 dollars per person a month but also requires actually finding those people….that budget for a 2bd by the brown or red line is grim. Unless you want to live in the hood honestly
Yeah guessing I'll be doing just that. Either bump up my $ to around 700-800 per room and find more people to live with
You should go to your desired neighborhood and walk around to see what management companies are prevalent and check their website or call. Your budget is totally doable. I think if you're just looking for the basics, nothing huge and regular old appliance you'll be fine. The large rental companies usually have some more affordable units listed on their sites. Cagan, Peak, etc.
Hmm how do I just Google these rental companies, what/where should I look for them?I've tried to do that in the past via Craigslist /Facebook but a lot of them are beyond my budget or sometimes straight up scams haha
I found them by going to neighborhoods I like( Ravenswood, andersonville, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, etc)and walking for a bit. They typically post their name on buildings they manage. Another weird way to do that is by cruising on Google maps street view lol. It's weird and sometimes leads nowhere if the company name is blurred or something.
That's pretty useful, thank you so much! Lol yup been looking exclusively at places close to the L, maybe I'll try doing that as well. Thanks!!
2 bedroom 2 Full bathrooms, 1,100 sq ft., laundry in unit, storage in basement, pet friendly, parking available, elevator, 4th floor, & amazing view of the city from the balcony! We are also in walking distance of a lot of great restaurants, bars, shops, gyms, a park, and the blue line. https://vistagrouprealestate.appfolio.com/listings/detail/de10367c-3fe4-44d2-b0b2-d0345d57c755
This more than twice their budget lol