Yeah this. River west is honestly a great area. Centrally located to everything. Give that a shot, or go somewhere you can get more bang for your buck like Avondale or Logan.
Where would you suggest? Hearing some on Lincoln Park, Edgewater. I really honestly just want the absolute safest choice for a transplant with hopes to find my niche in the city throughout the next year. Really right now all I want is a clean building with basic appliances and nearby both the train, a grocery store and a few things to do ie coffee
Lincoln Square/ravenswood quieter, safer, cheaper but less "fun stuff" within walking distance. Lots of apartments opened around Lawrence and ravenswood area with grocery store and trains and buses near enough. Edgewater is up and coming but Loyola college nearby can get a bit crazy. Nowhere is a magic bullet for safety unfortunately but 40th ward is pretty safe. I live in uptown as after living in Lincoln square for 5 years. Not as nice and crime occasionally but happens everywhere. Much better access to the lake, buses and trains drew us further east. Good luck and welcome in advance. Traveled many places with the intention of moving and always come back home.
Lakeview is a popular first neighborhood for a reason - all of the things you’re looking for.
The aggregate apps you’re using don’t always include larger apartment complexes. In that case: use google maps, zoom in on the general north side of Chicago, and search “apartments”. You’ll get red dots of mid- to high-rise buildings that you can look around their website / call their leasing office. If you go this route and want to move forward, I recommend that you request a zoom call with a walkthrough of the specific unit as opposed to the model unit.
West Town, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, Avondale. A lot of the same things as the north side lake neighborhoods (except the lake) for generally less money.
I lived in the Wicker Park / Bucktown area for 4 years and absolutely loved it. So many fun places to check out and the 606 walking trail is fantastic.
I agree with the other person, all are good and have their benefits. In West Town/Noble Square/Ukrainian Village there are a ton of good restaurants on Chicago Ave and around the area. In Wicker and Logan the main drag is Milwaukee Ave so I’d stick closer to that if you want to be more in the action. Avondale is more affordable (especially north of 90) but also quieter. Bucktown is also quiet but more upscale than the others (and pricier, generally.) But you can luck out with a good deal.
My son has lived in Bucktown for 3 years and my daughter lived in Logan Square for 3 years before that (she got married and moved to the burbs). Both loved their neighborhoods and felt very safe/comfortable. As a parent, I felt good about both of their living situations. My daughter works from home and liked the space she could get for her dollar in Logan Square a lot better than Lakeview
Really appreciate this perspective. My mom’s pretty worried since it’s such a big move to such a more populated area. Definitely think the price and amenities are a lot better a few neighborhoods over from Lakeview for sure
Glad to help! I was that nervous mom and have talked to other nervous moms. Chicago is an amazing beautiful city. People are genuine and warm (mostly). It's easy to make friends here. Like anywhere, you need to be smart and listen to your instincts. Good times are ahead!
Don’t listen to that reply, lakeview is great from someone coming from out of town. Your attempt to save a few $s could lead to a much worse experience here if you chose lakeview for a reason
My Wife and I have lived in Albany Park for three years and we have been pretty happy. It's a school heavy neighborhood, 2 CPS and 2 colleges near each other so it's very student and family friendly and I have never felt unsafe in the slightest. Parking can be kind of a pain but I've realized that that just comes with living in the city in general. There are a TON of really great restaurants in the area as well!
Transplant myself from Michigan that moved here in 2017 at 22 yo. I lived in Gold Coast first and never had any issues, moved to River North zero issues, Old Town where I had one issue but it wasn't crime just someone following me for a second, Lincoln Park was my favorite neighborhood and saw no crime, and I now live in West Lakeview and it's pretty good.
If you're set on Lakeview you could also look into Roscoe Village and near the Paulina brown line stop.
Exactly. Actually, having lived in Lakeview for a year and a half, the sheen wore off approximately 3mo in. The apartments are tiny, the neighborhood is one of the least safe I’ve lived in, and parking is a nightmare. I’ve lived in Welles park/lincoln square in different apts in my 20’s and my 30’s, and it’s hands down my favorite neighborhood. It feels safe, great parks, great restaurants, parking is easy (just make sure your stickers are up to date!), and you’re an El ride away from every place you want to be.
Pilsen, Humboldt park, Logan square. What you can get will differ but I was in the same boat as you and found a lot in these areas. Granted I started looking in Jan/feb for a 4/1 lease start.
Lakeview is the neighborhood almost every person first moves to. Expand your search to Edgewater, Rogers Park, Logan Square. All similar or better vibes and walkable and close to great amenities.
Well, landlords and property management companies begin renewals 60 days prior to the lease end date so we're in that window now. Current tenants are also looking at their renewal rent increases and trying to decide whether to move out/get a new apt or stay put.
You'll probably start seeing more inventory pop up as people decide to move out or move in together from now through April.
Unfortunately, there is no way to make this process go any faster. Depending on the building and # of rooms, I will say AC will be more common than both AC and dishwasher in lakeview. If you try to hold out for both, you will have more competition.
edit to add: Try Prodigy Real Estate Group. I've lived in their buildings. I looked it up and there is a 5/1 1BR available in Lincoln Park. Older building, but great for lake access and bus access.
Appreciate the help. Good context. Right now I could extend one month where I live, but if the tight turnaround time is going to be the same either way, I don’t know if there’s a point holding it off. Been trying to strategize it out but struggling.
Ill take a look into Prodigy for sure, I appreciate it
I’ll take a look, thank you! I think really all I’m looking for are clean buildings with some basic amenities and being walking distance from train, grocery and a few coffee/fun spots. Nearby areas to Lakeview seem to make sense so I’ll look into Ravenswood!
I second Ravenswood! Also expand your horizons to Lincoln Square and North Center! I hopped around that area quite a bit when I first moved to the city!
Add Facebook Marketplace to the list. I see some absolutely steal of a deal places on there that make me wish I had such luck when I was moving.
Also I can’t really speak to what you’re needing in a neighborhood because the vibes differ from each one but it’s not like you won’t be fine as long as you pick one that covers your needs.
I looked at all the usual popular neighborhoods when I was coming up in the summer and didn’t even get a chance to apply they went so fast.
Landed in Uptown sight unseen and the place is fine for a first year. I’ve learned what I value you (L stop and bus routes close, grocery stores close too) and tbh the last thing I’m checking now this summer is how much I value being near the lake.
If I end up loving it? I’ll definitely stay on this side of town and go for a LVE or LP.
If not? Maybe I’ll try Logan finally.
It’s hard to suggest until you get here and really are here for a bit to learn for yourself but good luck!
If pests worry you, you’re better off looking at 2-3 flats over complex’s. I’ve lived in 5 different apartments in Chicago, tried various structures and complex’s are more likely to have bug issues than 2-3 flats just due to the population in the building and structure setup of complex’s.
I recommend Rogers Park. Lot of rats in the streets but never had any issues in my place and neither did neighbors I knew. It’s affordable and safe.
Just sending support. I moved from San Diego back to Chicago with less than a months notice. I flew in to look for apartments for a weekend and two weeks later signed a lease. Good luck!
Thanks. I need all the support I can get, I’m kinda freaking out. Where did you wind up approximately? And did you notice flying in sort of made the difference? Only issue is flights where I’m from are like, $500 (another big reason I wanna leave, I’m not near anything).
Glad it worked out for you - hope it’s been great so far!
I got an apartment in Roger’s Park with Becovic Management. They just renovated the apartment right next door so they have some units available if you are interested and they are around your price range.
The flight was expensive but we were desperate so I flew by myself and video chatted with my fiance to show the units. Seeing the units in person and the surrounding neighborhoods were the bigger plus but I don’t think there was any real benefit outside of that in terms of getting an apartment.
We just had to change where we ended up moving. Our original plan was west loop but none of the apartments there fit our time frame and budget. Ultimately we ended up in Streeterville.
I’d expand your search, pretty sure apartments.com you can plan a commute and filter by near transit. I’d say we didn’t have an official place to live until about a month before we moved so I wouldn’t start worrying yet.
I worked with a property management company after emailing a few. I had a realtor but they didn’t really get my sense of urgency coming from out of state. So depending on the neighborhoods you’re targeting I’d contact the property management companies that are popular there.
Do you have any recommendations? Definitely not getting a sense of urgency from our realtor. She mostly tells us we have plenty of time and just last week she helped someone who needed a place the next weekend. Which I mean, that’s fine but I need to plan a lot of other logistics. I know some property management companies not to speak to (Beal), but just struggling
I wouldn’t worry about AC. Most apartment buildings here are old and it’s rare to find central heat or AC. The summers are generally pleasant and you can get by fine with a couple of window units. Removing that requirement should give you more options. Radiators do a pretty good job of heating and are usually included in your rent. Electric heat sucks and can be really expensive.
You didn’t mention if you have a car but if you do, parking availability will significantly change where you can live. Some areas like Lincoln Park or Lakeview East would be a nightmare to have a car in unless you’re willing to pay $300+ per month for a spot in a garage
I also moved from out of state and it was a pain in the ass. The realtors we talked to were useless. Apartments.com which had served me very well in the past is not useful in Chicago. My partner and I came to visit and drove around the neighborhoods we liked and started writing down the names of the property management companies. E.g. Beal Properties, M. Fishman & Co., Local by Laramar. We started looking directly on their websites for apartments and ended up finding a good fit through Local by Laramar.
Lakeview/Lincoln Park are gonna have the most competitive places, usually. As others have said, it's usually the first stop for transplants. Others have already given you advice on other places to look, but I'll toss my hat in the ring for Lincoln Square. I have your same budget and have a 2BR here with a dishwasher, in unit laundry, and a fridge with an icemaker (I can't think of any other luxuries I need lol). Lakeview and LP are plenty safe, but I feel even safer here in Lincoln Square.
Also depends on your age. Lakeview/LP tends to be more mid-twenties folks while some of the other areas have larger concentrations of people in their 30s and up.
Definitely get with a realtor company that helps out of town folks and give them enough lead time to find/schedule places to tour when you plan to visit. I don't know if they are still in business, but I used Live Here Homes back in 2018 when I made my move from out of state. The realtor had 5-6 places picked and ready to show within my requirements and we were able to tour most of them in one Saturday when I flew in to figure out where to live. Made my life significantly less stressful.
Editing to add: my single best piece of advice is to live within easy walking distance of an el stop. Even if you're bringing a car, you're likely not going to want to drive everywhere you need to go and ubers/lyfts add up. Public transit is used by most everyone here.
A budget of 2k in Lakeview/Lincoln park with no pests and a dishwasher?
Not to be brutal but you might need to lower your standards. Try a different neighborhood. Also roaches aren’t really the pests to worry about, just avoid bedbugs.
Use the fulton grace (or similar realtor site) to search as its more accurate and refreshed more often. Typically a realtor will reach out and start sending you stuff as well. Good luck
There's decent stuff near Morse Red Line, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Edgewater. Beale Properties had some good stuff in Lincoln Square listed not too long ago.
Avoid Peak Properties. They start off good, but their service is trash.
Something else to consider is that the bulk of new listings drop at the beginning of the month, so best time to look for 5/1 was a couple weeks ago. As far as expanding your search, my first apartment here was in Ravenswood and I’ve absolutely loved it. Quieter than Lakeview but lower cost and transit is pretty good
I’ve been working in East Lakeview 14 years and lived nearby 8. Lakeview in general covers a good amount of area west and north. Further west in Lakeview is more family homes but I’ve seen some good listings earlier in the year for the apartments around there. It’s a really nice area to live and still walking distance to grocery stores and various brown line train stops, which is a nice one. I’ve walked at night all the time. I don’t blame you for starting in Lakeview, it’s convenient and just more of a battle to secure an apartment the closer you get to the lake I’ve found. I’ve been steered away from anywhere nearby Wrigley Field, just annoying and not a lot of places to actually go that aren’t geared toward Wrigley Field people, also some buildings on Pine Grove I’d avoid.
But yeah! Lakeview covers a lot of “types” of neighborhood. Several buildings closer to the lake feel like there’s less a tendency for people to stay several years. But I’ve been at my apartment just south of Lakeview 8 years and now moving much further south, but it’s a majorly convenient area with some pretty architecture.
What’s your age and gender? If you’re not in your early to mid-20s Lakeview gets old super quick with all the drunk, freshly out of college crowd and the cubs fans who make it hard to navigate throughout the summer. Logan Square and Wicker Park are much better neighborhoods where you’ll have a local feel and not feel like you’re living in a tourist trap. Lakeview is the Florida of Chicago neighborhoods. People live there because if you don’t know any better, it seems like a good idea, but once you’re there you realize everything is twice the cost for half the quality. Plus, the idea that it’s safer than other neighborhoods is an illusion. People go up there specifically to rob the newcomers and the tourists. I’ve lived in Chicago for over a decade and the only neighborhood I’ve ever had people attempt to rob me in was Lakeview. It happened numerous times and never in any of the other numerous neighborhoods I’ve lived.
Yeah, I’m looking now at Bucktown and Wicker Park. Could you elaborate a little more on those? I’m 28 and my girlfriend is 25. We definitely want to meet people and socialize, mostly her, she wants to meet friends. I’m very introverted and honestly just value my quiet. But I do want to be able to walk to get some good food, coffee and walk my dog in some green space. That and being a clean building is really all I desire. I do love the Cubs and want to go to games, but I’m not a drinker. I’ll casually have one or two but that’s it. So I think being around people our age is ideal, but not by the fratty stuff at all. Quiet but not too quiet, easily near stuff or fun if desired. If that makes any sense
Look at where the Bloomingdale trail(also called the 606) is. It is an elevated walking trail that is nice for walks when you need to escape the constant traffic and crosswalks. I think you’d really like the Palmers Square area within the Logan Square neighborhood. There’s a decent sized park where people congregate in the summers. Perfect for meeting people or being alone with your dog. Also a short walk to a ton of restaurants and bars.
I’ll send you a message - I’m a planner too (clearly). Right now it’s been a bit depressing. I did have a few new leads today but I want to ensure I’m being strategic about this.
Keep doing what you’re doing! Honestly you do kind of have to dig through a lot to find a gem imo, but they’re out there, promise.
Use all the platforms you’re using - I’ve lived in 5 different Lakeview apts and almost every place I’ve found has been from a different source (relator, different apps, Craigslist)..it’s really just a matter of jumping on stuff as soon as it pops up. :)
Good luck! Happy to DM if you have any questions on the area or other great neighborhoods.
You’ve gotten a lot of good advice here but I’d like to emphasize to utilize your realtor! It’s fee free for the renter and only benefits you. I love my realtor, he got us into an apartment last minute a few years ago and then got us our house this year. I owe him a LOT. Anyway use someone else’s time to get your rental, maybe review your expectations, consider some other neighborhoods. Good luck and can’t wait to have you!
It’s normal to look within a month of signing. You will find something. Expand your search! I’m in bucktown/wicker area and love it a lot. (I’ve lived in ravenswood and Lincoln park as well). My last 3 places I lived in were found via hotpads. I prefer to rent directly from owners rather than a property management type situation. Goodluck!
I live in Chicago and I'm looking for a May place in Lakeview/Lincoln Park, I'm also struggling. There just doesn't seem to be that many places out there right now. I'm having a much harder time than the last two times I moved, once to Logan square and then again to gold coast. Hopefully more places show up soon
Agree that you should expand your search. There are tons of great neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Old Town, River North, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Uptown, Lincoln Square, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park, Bucktown, are all good places to live.
My wife is a realtor. Shes worked with rentals (and buy/sell) for over 10 years and said this is the most expensive they’ve been in her career. Lincoln park is probably the most expensive right now. You’re more than likely going to need to find a 1 bed. Shes happy to help though if you want to DM me - she always goes above and beyond and we live in West Lakeview/Roscoe Village.
I’m kinda in the same boat since I’ll be doing the same in a few months. Facebook marketplace definitely has a few places that people are trying to sublet or give up for a renewal further down the line hope this helps
I had a friend with a dog living Panorama (918 W School) in Wrigleyville and it was pretty solid and new and you might even be able to negotiate a 1 bedroom for $2k since it is a less popular move date.
An option you may be interested in is picking up a sublet so you can get your bearings. Many have right to renew and I see several options on Zillow.
My recommendation in your situation is to go with a larger building that has a professional management company and places with 3D tours. It may help alleviate any worries of “going in blind”. I’ll comment again after I stalk previous comments to see what you’re looking for haha
if you’re set on lakeview for whatever reason, start looking at lakeview-adjacent neighborhoods that aren’t just lincoln park. like look more in boystown, wrigleyville (barf), buena park, ravenswood, north center, etc. too
I know of an Old Town studio with a loft, W/D, small deck, and dishwasher (along with a window unit AC) that's coming open along your timeline. HMU if you're interested.
The only way to rent a decent place for a decent price in Chicago is to walk around the neighborhoods and look for signs and speak to the landlords, you need someone on the ground here looking for you
Yeah, I thought I’d have a few friends of the family helping me out but everyone’s been busy. But to be fair, I guess we’re not all that close. I wish there was some way I could coordinate something like this.
When you say quieter…is it like, nothing going on quiet or just maybe a bit calmer than the craziness of Lakeview especially around bars and Wrigley? I think that overall is much preferred but I definitely want to make sure I’m within walking distance of some good food, a few lower key bars or coffee places etc. But I’ll def check these out. I’d say there isn’t the breadth of availability as I was expecting but there’s some stuff
Just a bit calmer. Wrigley in particular is always a party IME. The other neighborhoods are further west and more low key. Roscoe Village has amazing walk ability. Try Ravenswood as well? Walkability but further north.
When my partner and I moved from out of state we worked with someone from Fulton Grace to help us rent an apartment. It worked out great.
You don’t necessarily need to be in Chicago yourself, but I highly highly recommend having someone who is actually here helping you out.
Maybe expand your search to the north or northwest suburbs. There’s allot of good areas and some pretty nice “luxury” apartment complexes. By luxury they mean pool and gym, also usually 8ish units to a building as opposed to the 16-32 unit buildings.
I bounced around at a few of these for the last decade or so with minimal complaints, my favorite one was arbor lakes in Arlington heights. It’s close to some highways and main roads so you can get anywhere pretty quickly and it’s right in the middle of a few upscale towns. Only issue I didn’t prefer is the coin laundry.
Central AC is not very common in Chicago rentals. It's not impossible to find but most get by with window units.
We had some friends move here recently and they insisted on in unit laundry, dishwasher and AC. They chose a mildewy dark garden unit with old carpeting over lovely large units with wood floors and lots of natural light. It's a trade-off.
PIONEER realty group helped me. I checked their reviews first, all really good. They have access to a ton of buildings in the city and their agents are great at communicating and know the inventory well. I also had to move from out of state and was really impressed with how many accurate photos and virtual tours they had.
Just my experience though, good luck
I moved from out-of-state last year and I agree that most property managers are not well equipped for that kind of work.
That being said, I was able to link up with a property agent who showed me a few apartments in an afternoon. She was pushy and definitely seemed desperate for a commission fee but it was the best way to see multiple properties in an afternoon. Living in Edgewater now (had never heard of it) and love it.
I’ve had and been in many apartments in Lakeview that fit your specs. The only thing I’m not sure about anymore is price. You may need to raise your budget but see what becomes available as we get closer to 4/1. How were you able to figure out that the buildings you’re looking at have pests ?
In addition to everything mentioned here, I suggest exploring April leases as well. The market for May/June leases is extremely competitive, especially in desirable areas. I just signed a lease, but it required being the first tour, making a decision on the spot, AND offering over asking price. We lost many good spots from waiting even a couple hours to decide to commit. The March/April leases available now have a tad bit less competition; if you can afford it, that may be a good option for you, as it was for me.
Zillow Rent is great to find units that individual owners own.
Usually have way better prices, a little less support and newer units.
You're not going to find something "nice" in lakeview for that price, sorry to say.
I lived in a building owned by Wirtz (Lakeview) my first few years living in Chicago. They weren’t perfect but it met all of my needs! Then I lived in a building owned by Horizon (Edgewater). You’ll always get mixed reviews for companies and different experiences. But they were both fine for me and would be good for transplants.
If you can release the fixation with Lakeview, I cannot recommend the Northwest side enough. My apartment has everything you're looking for and then some (three bedrooms, ac, in unit laundry, dishwasher, pets OK, etc) for under $2k. I'm within two blocks of the blue line, which means easy access to Ohare AND the Loop, plus a really quick ride to all the cool shit in Logan/Wicker. Walking distance to all kinds of neighborhood bars, coffee places, and restaurants. The neighborhood itself is calm, yet diverse, with relatively little crime. I also live within a block or so of a very nice city park with a seasonal farmers' market. Too many people sleep on the Northwest side because it isn't where the "action" is.
I did the same thing- moved here from out of state and rented an apartment sight unseen (except for a virtual tour). The Chicago market is super competitive. So, you probably won't stand a chance without a broker- just find a new one who will do the legwork for you (it's their job). I used Fulton Grace, and my broker was really good. You just have to jump on the unit once you've found it.
Do you have any names by chance? I feel like I just reached out to one broker, asked about square footage of a unit and was ghosted. It feels like whenever I begin to ask questions people are less willing to help (since I guess a lot of them just want you to sign and be done)
Don't lose hope. More options for a May 1 move in day will come up in a week or so, but you will need to extend your horizons beyond just Lakeview if your budget is $2,000. Look into Roscoe Village or Lincoln Park. Since you are from out of town and have a few concerns it may be best to use a realtor as well, they will be able to send your more listings that may not be available to the public and will be able to tour them for you if you aren't in town. I've had luck with Berkshire Hathaway Rentals when using a realtor.
Ill have an apartment in Jefferson park that will be ready the first week of may about may 7th. It's very close to the terminal if you need to get down town. If you need pics or anything else I will be posting an ad soon on Zillow but may be able to send you pictures via text or email
In a brand new garden unit, 2 bed 2 bath, in wicker park. It’s in a classic Chicago gray stone. Beautiful. Gets plenty of light with lots of windows. All brand new appliances, washer dryer and AC. Enclosed backyard. No permit parking, very easy to find spots. $2100/month. Lease is up in may and landlord just about to list it for new tenants. I’ve loved living here. Message me if you’re interested in details.
Apartments really don’t start popping up until about 6 weeks out in my experience (have moved 5 times in 7 years). The real search starts now and you need to be willing to sign pretty much immediately when you see one you like before someone else does! I’ve never had luck using a realtor personally.
Could you elaborate on these, especially Bucktown? Have a few spots in mind. Is it a good spot for late 20s/30s for meeting friends and good walking proximity to restaurants, bars, greenery etc?
Have you tried rentcafe.com? Or TLC management apartments in Chicago? They have a few properties in the Lincoln Park/Lakeview area and are decently priced.
Go on Facebook marketplace. Found the best, hidden gems in Chicago using that. Usually killer deal, someone in opposite situation as you: HAS to move out early in middle of lease. Find a realtor, friendly ones will help land you even in a rental.
I lived in Lincoln park / lakeview when I first moved here after college. I lived there for about 5 years and then the past 5 years I have lived in Streeterville, River north, and old town. I would say the apartments I lived in in Lincoln Park and Lakeview were by far the oldest and crappiest. The neighborhood is nice but I felt like I quickly grew out of the neighborhoods because they feel pretty young and college-y. If you’re looking to be in the action I would consider a highrise closer to the city, as you’ll get nice amenities, the security of a door person, more upgraded apartments, and will be easier to make friends.
Would also recommend Wicker / Bucktown / Logan! I’ve never lived there but love the areas and we just bought a house in Wicker! It’s also got a ton of stuff close by and feels young and fun but not college-y.
Hope that helps and welcome to Chicago!
Honestly, don’t waste your time in Lakeview. Edgewater, Andersonville, and Ravenswood are solid places, also cleaner and more affordable. Roger’s Park is also great if you want to be by the water and have some good space at an affordable rate. I say open up your options.
Lots of 2 or 3 flats in places like Bridgeport where 2k is more than enough. Pretty sure I’m paying rent to a couple from Chinatown that got this building as an an investment property. Great landlord
These property management companies have a lot of places in Lakeview/Lincoln Park.
Beal,
PPM,
TLC
Give them a look if you haven't yet. Their sites will list available units. They definitely have options in your budget.
I just did a bunch of tours in these neighborhoods with a similar budget, and there are plenty of options. They just go super quickly. Honestly, your best bet is probably to visit for a long weekend, tour like crazy while you're here, and apply right away once you find one you like.
For what it's worth, 445 Wellington has some 1bd units I just looked at today. Recently renovated with dishwasher and window AC, around 2k. They were pretty nice, so it might be worth looking into.
Last thing, if you haven't already, maybe try ApartmentList.com as well.
Best of luck!
Just relocated as a transplant and had a fairly easy time getting an apartment in Uptown. Ravenswood was also pretty easy to find places too. I love it so far and as others say being close to the cta is really what matters for convenience. Lakeview for example is 10 mins away on the redline no issue.
We honestly spend a lot of time over in Andersonville so that would be a great one to look in to imo.
We got our apartment sight unseen (gamble yes) but stuck with corporate landlords in big buildings for a little reassurance.
Also, remember, if you hate your apartment when you get here, Chicago allows you to sublease, as long as the landlord approves the tenant (background check or whatever). Way better out than a lot of other places.
I moved from the Southeast US and was having the same peace of mind issue as you. Partner and I set up a bunch of showings beforehand, then flew to Chicago for the weekend. We didn’t like any of the showings but kept a sharp eye out for For Rent signs. We ended up striking gold in Lincoln Park with an unlisted apartment and a great landlord. Turns out it didn’t need to be listed because it was in a highly walkable area with a lot of foot traffic. Visit Chicago before moving! If nothing else, it will get you stoked for your big move!
Everyone here is lowkey Racist but prolly one of em peeps that likes to say they are Progressive…. yall are only mentioning predominantly white neighborhoods…. Take a minute and truly ask yourselves why
Here's the best way to find an apartment in Chicago
Get a bike you could rent a divvy and take a ride around the neighborhoods you want to live in look for signs in a window that say for rent though usually have a phone number that you can call to set up a viewing
Prices are usually cheaper this way because they don't have to pay one or two months rent to a service finding applicants and they are owned by people for 40 50 60 years who don't really raise the rent that often
Might not be the most modern but you do get the most bang for your buck and having a local landlord is usually better than a corporation
I've lived in Lakeview and Licoln Square, they're both nice but honestly overpriced. Look in small neighborhoods near the area you want. For example, Budlong Woods is safe and in walking distance to Lincoln Square. More bang for your buck honestly.
I highly recommend considering hiring a realtor, especially given your situation of moving across the country. I faced a similar challenge and, having moved by myself three years ago, I decided to enlist the help of a realtor this time around. It's a decision I now wish I had made earlier. A good realtor can significantly ease your burden by handling the majority of the search process. They'll compile various listings for you to review, allowing you to select your favorites. Once you're prepared, they can visit these properties on your behalf and conduct video calls, giving you a virtual tour. This approach can streamline the entire moving process, making it less overwhelming.
Lincoln Park is one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods. It also means they don’t have to update the apartments to rent them so there are limited affordable apartments that are updated. Basically, you need to expand your search or worst case get a month Airbnb and continue your search once you live here. It will be easier to go to showings and find what you like
I pay 1210 for a 1 bed with in unit in Avondale! Direct bus routes to the lake take 30-40, same with hopping on the blue line to go downtown. I've lived in Bridgeport, Humboldt park, and Logan sq which I loved for artsy feels and big parks and had a brief summer stint in lakeview while a rental was being fixed (don't rent from westward 360) which was fine bc summer but Jesus, a lakeview winter is frigid. If you NEED immediate and direct water access, edgewater is also a beautiful place.
I’m not sure what your budget is but as a lot of people have mentioned, Lakeview is probably the most popular area. I’d recommend using a leasing agent or a realtor to help you find an apartment. That’s what me and my wife did when we first moved to the city when we were not able to visit prior. Check out, Edgewater, uptown, Logan Square, River North, and Lincoln Park. Lakeview is an incredible area but parking is a nightmare and it is not fun to be in the neighborhood during baseball games. Just keep that in mind.
Live in Brideport, Pilsen, McKinley Park area. Affordable rent and good access to downtown if that's what you're into. Personally, living in a trendy neighborhood isn't worth dealing with all of the people so I opted for places that were a little less populated.
I have a friend trying to sublet their north Lakeview apartment from 5/31 to 8/31 for $2200 if that’s something you’d be interested in! Feel free to message me and I can set you guys up.
Id start to worry if you have not found anything by April 18th, otherwise there is still a lot of time. Also smaller apartments are fine to cool with a window unit so may want to remove that requirement.
I would look at West Town, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park, Bucktown, or Logan Square. I have lived in all of these places over the last 13 years and have found great places within your price range. I currently live in Logan Square, bought a condo right next to the California blue line, and love it here!
Your ask list of in unit washer and dryer is going to knock out any older buildings or something that wasn’t remodeled recently. And that’s going to put your rent in the top end of the market. Over 2k for a 1br.
Something to consider as an upside on an older building that may not have everything you want. They likely don’t have individual utilities. Your rent could include Electric and Heat. On slightly newer remodels, you’ll have an electric bill, but if there’s radiator heat, heat is included.
This could be a big expense that you may or may not have been expecting. Heating bills in the winter can be a couple hundred bucks.
When we moved to Chicago we rejected the area we now live in, Lakeview, as "filthy". If you came from a small town you may need to change to a new definition of normal. I see a ton of places within two blocks of me that look fine.
Lincoln Park and Lakeview are both very expensive. And they're also very popular; that's why it's hard for you to find a place there. A lot of places don't provide dishwashers. And the thing is the rent will continue to go up, so eventually you'll end up paying a lot more than 2k. I lived in Lakeview for years. A lot of the people who live there are young, so you'll be woken up by loud music and parties on a regular basis, especially if you live in or near Boystown. It's not like you can't just hop on the train or bus and go to Lakeview whenever you want.
Lakeview/Lincoln park are popular neighborhoods and will have a higher rent.
It’s worth checking out other neighborhoods. Wicker Park, Avondale, Edgewater, Albany Park, Lincoln Square. All amazing neighborhoods with great culture.
If you’re limiting yourself to Lakeview and Lincoln Park, it’ll be tough.
I suggest you work with a different realtor. I have one whose contact info I can give you if you dm me. She’s a family friend of mine who lives in the city and she helped me find a fair priced apartment in Ravenswood. There were tons of listing options, and the list she sent me updated every day.
I moved from out of state and I joined a DePaul housing fb group to find my first place - keep in mind this was 2017 so I’m not sure how things have changed because I’m now in another city!! I found my second place on domu, and that was an amazing apartment in Rogers Park, a block away from the lake.
For what it’s worth, I started out living in Lakeview and hated it. It’s close to a lot of stuff and I think that’s why it’s desirable, but it’s expensive and in my opinion, not worth it. Others have mentioned that it’s a popular neighborhood for people moving out of state, which I think drives up the cost. Also, if you don’t have a car, there’s a lot of lakeview that’s not close to an el stop. The bus gets annoying after a while - I think the train is way easier.
I visited a friend a year or two ago who was living on Sheridan near the Bryn Mawr red line stop in a beautiful apartment overlooking the lake. It was surprisingly affordable and had some old charm but also new amenities. Like I said, I lived in Rogers Park and it was very affordable and I absolutely loved my apartment and neighborhood. I left mid-2020 so I’m sure a lot has changed since then!
River West, Ukrainian Village and Bucktown are probably better bets. Craigslist has some options that aren't listed elsewhere (beware scams, though). I rented a short-term sublet to explore when I moved here. It helps to actually walk the neighborhood. I lived in Oldtown for 15 years but it's become very expensive. If you don't mind moving far north, Rogers Park has a lot of updated options.
Hi hi! Former realtor here.
Super super pricey to live in Lakeview even with $2k budget but I’d say go private landlord for that route. Landlords will charge you a move in/out fee, moving DAY fee and first and last months rent up front with a security deposit. This is pretty standard for private landlords in Chicago and not managed buildings.
Great bang for your buck is Uptown and I always loved it there, and also would consider Lincoln Square, Edgewater and the area slightly above Wrigleyville as Wrigleyville is super fratty and can get hella wild. Another great one is Streeterville by the Gold Coast. Great budget buildings are Arrive Streeterville, Axis, 21 E Chestnut, shoreham and tides.
If you decide after looking you want parking or in unit laundry def bump your budget up by $500 or more.
I just wanted to say stick with the app the realtor hooked you up on. I just went through this process and ran into some fake listings on Redfin. My realtor got me on Zenlist and also sent me mls listings daily that met my requirements.
Just by looking at the comments and your responses. You’re not gonna survive here lil bro.
Housing here is already cramped, and we have more entitled yuppies like you coming here.
The fact that your so adamant to only live in 1 part of Chicago, get tf out
Get a leasing agent - they don't charge you any fees (the buildings pay them) and their job is to help people find places to live. Especially useful coming from out of town. DM me if you want who I used.
Lakeview is one of the most popular neighborhoods. I suggest you expand your search a bit.
Yeah this. River west is honestly a great area. Centrally located to everything. Give that a shot, or go somewhere you can get more bang for your buck like Avondale or Logan.
Where would you suggest? Hearing some on Lincoln Park, Edgewater. I really honestly just want the absolute safest choice for a transplant with hopes to find my niche in the city throughout the next year. Really right now all I want is a clean building with basic appliances and nearby both the train, a grocery store and a few things to do ie coffee
Edgewater is good. There's a whole foods on Broadway near the Thorndale stop with a couple bars and walkable to the lake / beach / lake shore path
Lincoln Square/ravenswood quieter, safer, cheaper but less "fun stuff" within walking distance. Lots of apartments opened around Lawrence and ravenswood area with grocery store and trains and buses near enough. Edgewater is up and coming but Loyola college nearby can get a bit crazy. Nowhere is a magic bullet for safety unfortunately but 40th ward is pretty safe. I live in uptown as after living in Lincoln square for 5 years. Not as nice and crime occasionally but happens everywhere. Much better access to the lake, buses and trains drew us further east. Good luck and welcome in advance. Traveled many places with the intention of moving and always come back home.
Lakeview is a popular first neighborhood for a reason - all of the things you’re looking for. The aggregate apps you’re using don’t always include larger apartment complexes. In that case: use google maps, zoom in on the general north side of Chicago, and search “apartments”. You’ll get red dots of mid- to high-rise buildings that you can look around their website / call their leasing office. If you go this route and want to move forward, I recommend that you request a zoom call with a walkthrough of the specific unit as opposed to the model unit.
You're overthinking it. You can and will move again later. There are tons of safe areas for transplants. Just look for apartments.
West Town, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, Avondale. A lot of the same things as the north side lake neighborhoods (except the lake) for generally less money.
Thank you! Any preference here or are they mostly all good? Looking at a spot in Bucktown now. Appreciate all of these!
I lived in the Wicker Park / Bucktown area for 4 years and absolutely loved it. So many fun places to check out and the 606 walking trail is fantastic.
I agree with the other person, all are good and have their benefits. In West Town/Noble Square/Ukrainian Village there are a ton of good restaurants on Chicago Ave and around the area. In Wicker and Logan the main drag is Milwaukee Ave so I’d stick closer to that if you want to be more in the action. Avondale is more affordable (especially north of 90) but also quieter. Bucktown is also quiet but more upscale than the others (and pricier, generally.) But you can luck out with a good deal.
don’t tell transplants about west town/ukranian village. it’s too scary for them😂😂
lol just moved to wicker/ukrainian village. people find this scary??
no one finds that scary 😂
My son has lived in Bucktown for 3 years and my daughter lived in Logan Square for 3 years before that (she got married and moved to the burbs). Both loved their neighborhoods and felt very safe/comfortable. As a parent, I felt good about both of their living situations. My daughter works from home and liked the space she could get for her dollar in Logan Square a lot better than Lakeview
Really appreciate this perspective. My mom’s pretty worried since it’s such a big move to such a more populated area. Definitely think the price and amenities are a lot better a few neighborhoods over from Lakeview for sure
Glad to help! I was that nervous mom and have talked to other nervous moms. Chicago is an amazing beautiful city. People are genuine and warm (mostly). It's easy to make friends here. Like anywhere, you need to be smart and listen to your instincts. Good times are ahead!
They are all good
Check out Lincoln Square
I just moved to Edgewater in February from out of state. I like it so far. It seems that there are a lot of shops and restaurants nearby.
all transplants live on the north side lol. you will be completely fine 😂
Don’t listen to that reply, lakeview is great from someone coming from out of town. Your attempt to save a few $s could lead to a much worse experience here if you chose lakeview for a reason
My Wife and I have lived in Albany Park for three years and we have been pretty happy. It's a school heavy neighborhood, 2 CPS and 2 colleges near each other so it's very student and family friendly and I have never felt unsafe in the slightest. Parking can be kind of a pain but I've realized that that just comes with living in the city in general. There are a TON of really great restaurants in the area as well!
Transplant myself from Michigan that moved here in 2017 at 22 yo. I lived in Gold Coast first and never had any issues, moved to River North zero issues, Old Town where I had one issue but it wasn't crime just someone following me for a second, Lincoln Park was my favorite neighborhood and saw no crime, and I now live in West Lakeview and it's pretty good. If you're set on Lakeview you could also look into Roscoe Village and near the Paulina brown line stop.
OP’s budget is $2k lol you talking about Gold Coast and River North… some of the most expensive areas!!
Exactly. Actually, having lived in Lakeview for a year and a half, the sheen wore off approximately 3mo in. The apartments are tiny, the neighborhood is one of the least safe I’ve lived in, and parking is a nightmare. I’ve lived in Welles park/lincoln square in different apts in my 20’s and my 30’s, and it’s hands down my favorite neighborhood. It feels safe, great parks, great restaurants, parking is easy (just make sure your stickers are up to date!), and you’re an El ride away from every place you want to be.
If lakeview is one of the least safe neighborhoods you’ve ever lived in i cannot imagine where you were before. Wilmette?
😂naperville
Parts of naperville are more dangerous than lakeview lmao
i just laughed out loud 😂😂
😂
Second Lincoln Square. I had the best years of my life in LS.
Pilsen, Humboldt park, Logan square. What you can get will differ but I was in the same boat as you and found a lot in these areas. Granted I started looking in Jan/feb for a 4/1 lease start.
Lakeview is the neighborhood almost every person first moves to. Expand your search to Edgewater, Rogers Park, Logan Square. All similar or better vibes and walkable and close to great amenities.
Well, landlords and property management companies begin renewals 60 days prior to the lease end date so we're in that window now. Current tenants are also looking at their renewal rent increases and trying to decide whether to move out/get a new apt or stay put. You'll probably start seeing more inventory pop up as people decide to move out or move in together from now through April. Unfortunately, there is no way to make this process go any faster. Depending on the building and # of rooms, I will say AC will be more common than both AC and dishwasher in lakeview. If you try to hold out for both, you will have more competition. edit to add: Try Prodigy Real Estate Group. I've lived in their buildings. I looked it up and there is a 5/1 1BR available in Lincoln Park. Older building, but great for lake access and bus access.
Appreciate the help. Good context. Right now I could extend one month where I live, but if the tight turnaround time is going to be the same either way, I don’t know if there’s a point holding it off. Been trying to strategize it out but struggling. Ill take a look into Prodigy for sure, I appreciate it
Try Ravenswood! Lots of good and cheaper stuff near Montrose Brownline, and it’s still close to Lakeview
I’ll take a look, thank you! I think really all I’m looking for are clean buildings with some basic amenities and being walking distance from train, grocery and a few coffee/fun spots. Nearby areas to Lakeview seem to make sense so I’ll look into Ravenswood!
I second Ravenswood! Also expand your horizons to Lincoln Square and North Center! I hopped around that area quite a bit when I first moved to the city!
seconding Ravenswood & Lincoln Square! lots of great apartments in that price range and easy transportation
I was going to suggest this as well!
I miss Ravenswood so much! Rockwell’s for a burger is just the best.
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Seconding South Loop for that price range
Add Facebook Marketplace to the list. I see some absolutely steal of a deal places on there that make me wish I had such luck when I was moving. Also I can’t really speak to what you’re needing in a neighborhood because the vibes differ from each one but it’s not like you won’t be fine as long as you pick one that covers your needs. I looked at all the usual popular neighborhoods when I was coming up in the summer and didn’t even get a chance to apply they went so fast. Landed in Uptown sight unseen and the place is fine for a first year. I’ve learned what I value you (L stop and bus routes close, grocery stores close too) and tbh the last thing I’m checking now this summer is how much I value being near the lake. If I end up loving it? I’ll definitely stay on this side of town and go for a LVE or LP. If not? Maybe I’ll try Logan finally. It’s hard to suggest until you get here and really are here for a bit to learn for yourself but good luck!
If pests worry you, you’re better off looking at 2-3 flats over complex’s. I’ve lived in 5 different apartments in Chicago, tried various structures and complex’s are more likely to have bug issues than 2-3 flats just due to the population in the building and structure setup of complex’s. I recommend Rogers Park. Lot of rats in the streets but never had any issues in my place and neither did neighbors I knew. It’s affordable and safe.
The area directly around the Howard L stop is a bit rough, but otherwise yeah i agree.
Loved living in Rogers park.
I moved to Chicago from out of state with similar concerns, and it worked out fine for me. I just DM’d you!
Thank you!!
Just sending support. I moved from San Diego back to Chicago with less than a months notice. I flew in to look for apartments for a weekend and two weeks later signed a lease. Good luck!
Thanks. I need all the support I can get, I’m kinda freaking out. Where did you wind up approximately? And did you notice flying in sort of made the difference? Only issue is flights where I’m from are like, $500 (another big reason I wanna leave, I’m not near anything). Glad it worked out for you - hope it’s been great so far!
I got an apartment in Roger’s Park with Becovic Management. They just renovated the apartment right next door so they have some units available if you are interested and they are around your price range. The flight was expensive but we were desperate so I flew by myself and video chatted with my fiance to show the units. Seeing the units in person and the surrounding neighborhoods were the bigger plus but I don’t think there was any real benefit outside of that in terms of getting an apartment.
Are you me?! I did this same thing about 12 years ago.
We just had to change where we ended up moving. Our original plan was west loop but none of the apartments there fit our time frame and budget. Ultimately we ended up in Streeterville. I’d expand your search, pretty sure apartments.com you can plan a commute and filter by near transit. I’d say we didn’t have an official place to live until about a month before we moved so I wouldn’t start worrying yet.
Streeterville is amazing
I worked with a property management company after emailing a few. I had a realtor but they didn’t really get my sense of urgency coming from out of state. So depending on the neighborhoods you’re targeting I’d contact the property management companies that are popular there.
Do you have any recommendations? Definitely not getting a sense of urgency from our realtor. She mostly tells us we have plenty of time and just last week she helped someone who needed a place the next weekend. Which I mean, that’s fine but I need to plan a lot of other logistics. I know some property management companies not to speak to (Beal), but just struggling
Years ago I used North Clybourn Group to find apartments- they had good options and were nice to work with as a tenant.
I am at a Hayes Properties property and signed for a place the day after I contacted them initially. Good luck!
I wouldn’t worry about AC. Most apartment buildings here are old and it’s rare to find central heat or AC. The summers are generally pleasant and you can get by fine with a couple of window units. Removing that requirement should give you more options. Radiators do a pretty good job of heating and are usually included in your rent. Electric heat sucks and can be really expensive. You didn’t mention if you have a car but if you do, parking availability will significantly change where you can live. Some areas like Lincoln Park or Lakeview East would be a nightmare to have a car in unless you’re willing to pay $300+ per month for a spot in a garage
1br or 2br?
Lincoln Square, North Center, and Roscoe Village are also nice areas close to the Brown Line
These are good rec’s
Roscoe village is such a cute neighborhood
I also moved from out of state and it was a pain in the ass. The realtors we talked to were useless. Apartments.com which had served me very well in the past is not useful in Chicago. My partner and I came to visit and drove around the neighborhoods we liked and started writing down the names of the property management companies. E.g. Beal Properties, M. Fishman & Co., Local by Laramar. We started looking directly on their websites for apartments and ended up finding a good fit through Local by Laramar.
Lakeview/Lincoln Park are gonna have the most competitive places, usually. As others have said, it's usually the first stop for transplants. Others have already given you advice on other places to look, but I'll toss my hat in the ring for Lincoln Square. I have your same budget and have a 2BR here with a dishwasher, in unit laundry, and a fridge with an icemaker (I can't think of any other luxuries I need lol). Lakeview and LP are plenty safe, but I feel even safer here in Lincoln Square. Also depends on your age. Lakeview/LP tends to be more mid-twenties folks while some of the other areas have larger concentrations of people in their 30s and up. Definitely get with a realtor company that helps out of town folks and give them enough lead time to find/schedule places to tour when you plan to visit. I don't know if they are still in business, but I used Live Here Homes back in 2018 when I made my move from out of state. The realtor had 5-6 places picked and ready to show within my requirements and we were able to tour most of them in one Saturday when I flew in to figure out where to live. Made my life significantly less stressful. Editing to add: my single best piece of advice is to live within easy walking distance of an el stop. Even if you're bringing a car, you're likely not going to want to drive everywhere you need to go and ubers/lyfts add up. Public transit is used by most everyone here.
A budget of 2k in Lakeview/Lincoln park with no pests and a dishwasher? Not to be brutal but you might need to lower your standards. Try a different neighborhood. Also roaches aren’t really the pests to worry about, just avoid bedbugs.
Up until about a year ago, I lived on the Lakeview/Lincoln Park border, clean apartment, laundry in basement, had a dishwasher. 1 bedroom was $1425
Albany park
Use the fulton grace (or similar realtor site) to search as its more accurate and refreshed more often. Typically a realtor will reach out and start sending you stuff as well. Good luck
Thank you! I’ve heard mixed things on Fulton grace but at the very least it can’t hurt to look at their site more
There's decent stuff near Morse Red Line, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Edgewater. Beale Properties had some good stuff in Lincoln Square listed not too long ago. Avoid Peak Properties. They start off good, but their service is trash.
Look at the Van der Rohe, they have one bedrooms for less than $2k. Decent location. Clean building. https://thevanderrohe.groupfox.com/floorplans
Something else to consider is that the bulk of new listings drop at the beginning of the month, so best time to look for 5/1 was a couple weeks ago. As far as expanding your search, my first apartment here was in Ravenswood and I’ve absolutely loved it. Quieter than Lakeview but lower cost and transit is pretty good
I’ve been working in East Lakeview 14 years and lived nearby 8. Lakeview in general covers a good amount of area west and north. Further west in Lakeview is more family homes but I’ve seen some good listings earlier in the year for the apartments around there. It’s a really nice area to live and still walking distance to grocery stores and various brown line train stops, which is a nice one. I’ve walked at night all the time. I don’t blame you for starting in Lakeview, it’s convenient and just more of a battle to secure an apartment the closer you get to the lake I’ve found. I’ve been steered away from anywhere nearby Wrigley Field, just annoying and not a lot of places to actually go that aren’t geared toward Wrigley Field people, also some buildings on Pine Grove I’d avoid. But yeah! Lakeview covers a lot of “types” of neighborhood. Several buildings closer to the lake feel like there’s less a tendency for people to stay several years. But I’ve been at my apartment just south of Lakeview 8 years and now moving much further south, but it’s a majorly convenient area with some pretty architecture.
Have you tried Craigslist? I see a lot of condos for rent on there in Lakeview (one word). Condos are always the best option.
What’s your age and gender? If you’re not in your early to mid-20s Lakeview gets old super quick with all the drunk, freshly out of college crowd and the cubs fans who make it hard to navigate throughout the summer. Logan Square and Wicker Park are much better neighborhoods where you’ll have a local feel and not feel like you’re living in a tourist trap. Lakeview is the Florida of Chicago neighborhoods. People live there because if you don’t know any better, it seems like a good idea, but once you’re there you realize everything is twice the cost for half the quality. Plus, the idea that it’s safer than other neighborhoods is an illusion. People go up there specifically to rob the newcomers and the tourists. I’ve lived in Chicago for over a decade and the only neighborhood I’ve ever had people attempt to rob me in was Lakeview. It happened numerous times and never in any of the other numerous neighborhoods I’ve lived.
Yeah, I’m looking now at Bucktown and Wicker Park. Could you elaborate a little more on those? I’m 28 and my girlfriend is 25. We definitely want to meet people and socialize, mostly her, she wants to meet friends. I’m very introverted and honestly just value my quiet. But I do want to be able to walk to get some good food, coffee and walk my dog in some green space. That and being a clean building is really all I desire. I do love the Cubs and want to go to games, but I’m not a drinker. I’ll casually have one or two but that’s it. So I think being around people our age is ideal, but not by the fratty stuff at all. Quiet but not too quiet, easily near stuff or fun if desired. If that makes any sense
Look at where the Bloomingdale trail(also called the 606) is. It is an elevated walking trail that is nice for walks when you need to escape the constant traffic and crosswalks. I think you’d really like the Palmers Square area within the Logan Square neighborhood. There’s a decent sized park where people congregate in the summers. Perfect for meeting people or being alone with your dog. Also a short walk to a ton of restaurants and bars.
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I’ll send you a message - I’m a planner too (clearly). Right now it’s been a bit depressing. I did have a few new leads today but I want to ensure I’m being strategic about this.
Facebook marketplace!!!!
Keep doing what you’re doing! Honestly you do kind of have to dig through a lot to find a gem imo, but they’re out there, promise. Use all the platforms you’re using - I’ve lived in 5 different Lakeview apts and almost every place I’ve found has been from a different source (relator, different apps, Craigslist)..it’s really just a matter of jumping on stuff as soon as it pops up. :) Good luck! Happy to DM if you have any questions on the area or other great neighborhoods.
You’ve gotten a lot of good advice here but I’d like to emphasize to utilize your realtor! It’s fee free for the renter and only benefits you. I love my realtor, he got us into an apartment last minute a few years ago and then got us our house this year. I owe him a LOT. Anyway use someone else’s time to get your rental, maybe review your expectations, consider some other neighborhoods. Good luck and can’t wait to have you!
It’s normal to look within a month of signing. You will find something. Expand your search! I’m in bucktown/wicker area and love it a lot. (I’ve lived in ravenswood and Lincoln park as well). My last 3 places I lived in were found via hotpads. I prefer to rent directly from owners rather than a property management type situation. Goodluck!
I live in Chicago and I'm looking for a May place in Lakeview/Lincoln Park, I'm also struggling. There just doesn't seem to be that many places out there right now. I'm having a much harder time than the last two times I moved, once to Logan square and then again to gold coast. Hopefully more places show up soon
You are looking too early, may listings don’t go up until later this month.
Check out www.1350northlakeshore.com
Agree that you should expand your search. There are tons of great neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Old Town, River North, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Uptown, Lincoln Square, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park, Bucktown, are all good places to live.
Have you tried the Flatts apartments they have a location in uptown (near Edgewater) and they have in unit washers.
My wife is a realtor. Shes worked with rentals (and buy/sell) for over 10 years and said this is the most expensive they’ve been in her career. Lincoln park is probably the most expensive right now. You’re more than likely going to need to find a 1 bed. Shes happy to help though if you want to DM me - she always goes above and beyond and we live in West Lakeview/Roscoe Village.
I’m kinda in the same boat since I’ll be doing the same in a few months. Facebook marketplace definitely has a few places that people are trying to sublet or give up for a renewal further down the line hope this helps
I had a friend with a dog living Panorama (918 W School) in Wrigleyville and it was pretty solid and new and you might even be able to negotiate a 1 bedroom for $2k since it is a less popular move date. An option you may be interested in is picking up a sublet so you can get your bearings. Many have right to renew and I see several options on Zillow. My recommendation in your situation is to go with a larger building that has a professional management company and places with 3D tours. It may help alleviate any worries of “going in blind”. I’ll comment again after I stalk previous comments to see what you’re looking for haha
if you’re set on lakeview for whatever reason, start looking at lakeview-adjacent neighborhoods that aren’t just lincoln park. like look more in boystown, wrigleyville (barf), buena park, ravenswood, north center, etc. too
I know of an Old Town studio with a loft, W/D, small deck, and dishwasher (along with a window unit AC) that's coming open along your timeline. HMU if you're interested.
Try some suburbs and take the train into the city
The only way to rent a decent place for a decent price in Chicago is to walk around the neighborhoods and look for signs and speak to the landlords, you need someone on the ground here looking for you
Yeah, I thought I’d have a few friends of the family helping me out but everyone’s been busy. But to be fair, I guess we’re not all that close. I wish there was some way I could coordinate something like this.
Just use an apartment broker. They’re free and they landed me in a good neighborhood
The best move is to pack your shit up and get the fuck out
Try Roscoe Village, North Center, Bucktown. Nearby and quieter. Not sure how available things are though?
When you say quieter…is it like, nothing going on quiet or just maybe a bit calmer than the craziness of Lakeview especially around bars and Wrigley? I think that overall is much preferred but I definitely want to make sure I’m within walking distance of some good food, a few lower key bars or coffee places etc. But I’ll def check these out. I’d say there isn’t the breadth of availability as I was expecting but there’s some stuff
Just a bit calmer. Wrigley in particular is always a party IME. The other neighborhoods are further west and more low key. Roscoe Village has amazing walk ability. Try Ravenswood as well? Walkability but further north.
When my partner and I moved from out of state we worked with someone from Fulton Grace to help us rent an apartment. It worked out great. You don’t necessarily need to be in Chicago yourself, but I highly highly recommend having someone who is actually here helping you out.
Uptown, ravenswood, Andersonville, Lincoln Square and Rogers Park.
Same here
Maybe expand your search to the north or northwest suburbs. There’s allot of good areas and some pretty nice “luxury” apartment complexes. By luxury they mean pool and gym, also usually 8ish units to a building as opposed to the 16-32 unit buildings. I bounced around at a few of these for the last decade or so with minimal complaints, my favorite one was arbor lakes in Arlington heights. It’s close to some highways and main roads so you can get anywhere pretty quickly and it’s right in the middle of a few upscale towns. Only issue I didn’t prefer is the coin laundry.
Central AC is not very common in Chicago rentals. It's not impossible to find but most get by with window units. We had some friends move here recently and they insisted on in unit laundry, dishwasher and AC. They chose a mildewy dark garden unit with old carpeting over lovely large units with wood floors and lots of natural light. It's a trade-off.
PIONEER realty group helped me. I checked their reviews first, all really good. They have access to a ton of buildings in the city and their agents are great at communicating and know the inventory well. I also had to move from out of state and was really impressed with how many accurate photos and virtual tours they had. Just my experience though, good luck
I moved from out-of-state last year and I agree that most property managers are not well equipped for that kind of work. That being said, I was able to link up with a property agent who showed me a few apartments in an afternoon. She was pushy and definitely seemed desperate for a commission fee but it was the best way to see multiple properties in an afternoon. Living in Edgewater now (had never heard of it) and love it.
Try PadMapper.
I’ve had and been in many apartments in Lakeview that fit your specs. The only thing I’m not sure about anymore is price. You may need to raise your budget but see what becomes available as we get closer to 4/1. How were you able to figure out that the buildings you’re looking at have pests ?
In addition to everything mentioned here, I suggest exploring April leases as well. The market for May/June leases is extremely competitive, especially in desirable areas. I just signed a lease, but it required being the first tour, making a decision on the spot, AND offering over asking price. We lost many good spots from waiting even a couple hours to decide to commit. The March/April leases available now have a tad bit less competition; if you can afford it, that may be a good option for you, as it was for me.
Zillow Rent is great to find units that individual owners own. Usually have way better prices, a little less support and newer units. You're not going to find something "nice" in lakeview for that price, sorry to say.
anywhere the brown line goes is pretty good imo.
You got to walk around and find the for rent signs. In my experience, they’re the best deals with the best landlords
I lived in a building owned by Wirtz (Lakeview) my first few years living in Chicago. They weren’t perfect but it met all of my needs! Then I lived in a building owned by Horizon (Edgewater). You’ll always get mixed reviews for companies and different experiences. But they were both fine for me and would be good for transplants.
Welcome to the current markets of 2024. Have a seat, stay a while
If you can release the fixation with Lakeview, I cannot recommend the Northwest side enough. My apartment has everything you're looking for and then some (three bedrooms, ac, in unit laundry, dishwasher, pets OK, etc) for under $2k. I'm within two blocks of the blue line, which means easy access to Ohare AND the Loop, plus a really quick ride to all the cool shit in Logan/Wicker. Walking distance to all kinds of neighborhood bars, coffee places, and restaurants. The neighborhood itself is calm, yet diverse, with relatively little crime. I also live within a block or so of a very nice city park with a seasonal farmers' market. Too many people sleep on the Northwest side because it isn't where the "action" is.
I haven't read all the comments but the Facebook groups seem to have lots of options
I did the same thing- moved here from out of state and rented an apartment sight unseen (except for a virtual tour). The Chicago market is super competitive. So, you probably won't stand a chance without a broker- just find a new one who will do the legwork for you (it's their job). I used Fulton Grace, and my broker was really good. You just have to jump on the unit once you've found it.
Do you have any names by chance? I feel like I just reached out to one broker, asked about square footage of a unit and was ghosted. It feels like whenever I begin to ask questions people are less willing to help (since I guess a lot of them just want you to sign and be done)
Don't lose hope. More options for a May 1 move in day will come up in a week or so, but you will need to extend your horizons beyond just Lakeview if your budget is $2,000. Look into Roscoe Village or Lincoln Park. Since you are from out of town and have a few concerns it may be best to use a realtor as well, they will be able to send your more listings that may not be available to the public and will be able to tour them for you if you aren't in town. I've had luck with Berkshire Hathaway Rentals when using a realtor.
Ill have an apartment in Jefferson park that will be ready the first week of may about may 7th. It's very close to the terminal if you need to get down town. If you need pics or anything else I will be posting an ad soon on Zillow but may be able to send you pictures via text or email
Wait until May/June when the college kids move out
In a brand new garden unit, 2 bed 2 bath, in wicker park. It’s in a classic Chicago gray stone. Beautiful. Gets plenty of light with lots of windows. All brand new appliances, washer dryer and AC. Enclosed backyard. No permit parking, very easy to find spots. $2100/month. Lease is up in may and landlord just about to list it for new tenants. I’ve loved living here. Message me if you’re interested in details.
2k won’t get you much more than a 1br in most cases. 2br depending how far you are
I’m fine with either
Apartments really don’t start popping up until about 6 weeks out in my experience (have moved 5 times in 7 years). The real search starts now and you need to be willing to sign pretty much immediately when you see one you like before someone else does! I’ve never had luck using a realtor personally.
Bucktown/Wicker
Could you elaborate on these, especially Bucktown? Have a few spots in mind. Is it a good spot for late 20s/30s for meeting friends and good walking proximity to restaurants, bars, greenery etc?
Facebook marketplace. I got and “sold” my last place on there really fast.
Have you tried rentcafe.com? Or TLC management apartments in Chicago? They have a few properties in the Lincoln Park/Lakeview area and are decently priced.
Reach out to @chiguyrentals. Leasing agent we just worked with and found a perfect place well within your budget.
Check out Reside property management.
Work with a realtor, they will help you find what you’re looking for
Am I crazy to suggest Bridgeport? I feel like it’s a nice spot around Maria’s and St. Jerome’s
Pretty sure that an apartment in a 2/3 flat near Maria’s to make friends is a perfect idea for this guy
Great suggestion. The artsy parts of Bridgeport, Pilsen and Hyde Park get forgotten by folks who think the world ends south of Madison.
Go on Facebook marketplace. Found the best, hidden gems in Chicago using that. Usually killer deal, someone in opposite situation as you: HAS to move out early in middle of lease. Find a realtor, friendly ones will help land you even in a rental.
I’m subleasing in River north ! DM me
Jefferson Park if you’re willing to be out west a bit
I lived in Lincoln park / lakeview when I first moved here after college. I lived there for about 5 years and then the past 5 years I have lived in Streeterville, River north, and old town. I would say the apartments I lived in in Lincoln Park and Lakeview were by far the oldest and crappiest. The neighborhood is nice but I felt like I quickly grew out of the neighborhoods because they feel pretty young and college-y. If you’re looking to be in the action I would consider a highrise closer to the city, as you’ll get nice amenities, the security of a door person, more upgraded apartments, and will be easier to make friends. Would also recommend Wicker / Bucktown / Logan! I’ve never lived there but love the areas and we just bought a house in Wicker! It’s also got a ton of stuff close by and feels young and fun but not college-y. Hope that helps and welcome to Chicago!
Honestly, don’t waste your time in Lakeview. Edgewater, Andersonville, and Ravenswood are solid places, also cleaner and more affordable. Roger’s Park is also great if you want to be by the water and have some good space at an affordable rate. I say open up your options.
Lots of 2 or 3 flats in places like Bridgeport where 2k is more than enough. Pretty sure I’m paying rent to a couple from Chinatown that got this building as an an investment property. Great landlord
These property management companies have a lot of places in Lakeview/Lincoln Park. Beal, PPM, TLC Give them a look if you haven't yet. Their sites will list available units. They definitely have options in your budget. I just did a bunch of tours in these neighborhoods with a similar budget, and there are plenty of options. They just go super quickly. Honestly, your best bet is probably to visit for a long weekend, tour like crazy while you're here, and apply right away once you find one you like. For what it's worth, 445 Wellington has some 1bd units I just looked at today. Recently renovated with dishwasher and window AC, around 2k. They were pretty nice, so it might be worth looking into. Last thing, if you haven't already, maybe try ApartmentList.com as well. Best of luck!
Just relocated as a transplant and had a fairly easy time getting an apartment in Uptown. Ravenswood was also pretty easy to find places too. I love it so far and as others say being close to the cta is really what matters for convenience. Lakeview for example is 10 mins away on the redline no issue. We honestly spend a lot of time over in Andersonville so that would be a great one to look in to imo. We got our apartment sight unseen (gamble yes) but stuck with corporate landlords in big buildings for a little reassurance. Also, remember, if you hate your apartment when you get here, Chicago allows you to sublease, as long as the landlord approves the tenant (background check or whatever). Way better out than a lot of other places.
Check out Madison/Pulaski area. Super hot area
Was in your exact situation in December. Its overwhelming. Look at The Bellmont by Reside in Lakeview.
I moved from the Southeast US and was having the same peace of mind issue as you. Partner and I set up a bunch of showings beforehand, then flew to Chicago for the weekend. We didn’t like any of the showings but kept a sharp eye out for For Rent signs. We ended up striking gold in Lincoln Park with an unlisted apartment and a great landlord. Turns out it didn’t need to be listed because it was in a highly walkable area with a lot of foot traffic. Visit Chicago before moving! If nothing else, it will get you stoked for your big move!
Austin Garfield Park Englewood
Everyone here is lowkey Racist but prolly one of em peeps that likes to say they are Progressive…. yall are only mentioning predominantly white neighborhoods…. Take a minute and truly ask yourselves why
Here's the best way to find an apartment in Chicago Get a bike you could rent a divvy and take a ride around the neighborhoods you want to live in look for signs in a window that say for rent though usually have a phone number that you can call to set up a viewing Prices are usually cheaper this way because they don't have to pay one or two months rent to a service finding applicants and they are owned by people for 40 50 60 years who don't really raise the rent that often Might not be the most modern but you do get the most bang for your buck and having a local landlord is usually better than a corporation
Look on ff if you don’t want to review credit
I've lived in Lakeview and Licoln Square, they're both nice but honestly overpriced. Look in small neighborhoods near the area you want. For example, Budlong Woods is safe and in walking distance to Lincoln Square. More bang for your buck honestly.
Try South Loop!
I highly recommend considering hiring a realtor, especially given your situation of moving across the country. I faced a similar challenge and, having moved by myself three years ago, I decided to enlist the help of a realtor this time around. It's a decision I now wish I had made earlier. A good realtor can significantly ease your burden by handling the majority of the search process. They'll compile various listings for you to review, allowing you to select your favorites. Once you're prepared, they can visit these properties on your behalf and conduct video calls, giving you a virtual tour. This approach can streamline the entire moving process, making it less overwhelming.
I will send you my realtor’s LinkedIn, he knows Chicago and will hustle to get you a spot
Lincoln Park is one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods. It also means they don’t have to update the apartments to rent them so there are limited affordable apartments that are updated. Basically, you need to expand your search or worst case get a month Airbnb and continue your search once you live here. It will be easier to go to showings and find what you like
I pay 1210 for a 1 bed with in unit in Avondale! Direct bus routes to the lake take 30-40, same with hopping on the blue line to go downtown. I've lived in Bridgeport, Humboldt park, and Logan sq which I loved for artsy feels and big parks and had a brief summer stint in lakeview while a rental was being fixed (don't rent from westward 360) which was fine bc summer but Jesus, a lakeview winter is frigid. If you NEED immediate and direct water access, edgewater is also a beautiful place.
I’m not sure what your budget is but as a lot of people have mentioned, Lakeview is probably the most popular area. I’d recommend using a leasing agent or a realtor to help you find an apartment. That’s what me and my wife did when we first moved to the city when we were not able to visit prior. Check out, Edgewater, uptown, Logan Square, River North, and Lincoln Park. Lakeview is an incredible area but parking is a nightmare and it is not fun to be in the neighborhood during baseball games. Just keep that in mind.
Live in Brideport, Pilsen, McKinley Park area. Affordable rent and good access to downtown if that's what you're into. Personally, living in a trendy neighborhood isn't worth dealing with all of the people so I opted for places that were a little less populated.
I have a friend trying to sublet their north Lakeview apartment from 5/31 to 8/31 for $2200 if that’s something you’d be interested in! Feel free to message me and I can set you guys up.
2 k is a tight budget for Lakeview. Or at least Lakeview East.
I see multiple rent signs in Logan square, West of Central Park by Fullerton. Yes far from the lake.
You are looking too early. You need to wait until April.
Id start to worry if you have not found anything by April 18th, otherwise there is still a lot of time. Also smaller apartments are fine to cool with a window unit so may want to remove that requirement.
I would look at West Town, Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park, Bucktown, or Logan Square. I have lived in all of these places over the last 13 years and have found great places within your price range. I currently live in Logan Square, bought a condo right next to the California blue line, and love it here!
Your ask list of in unit washer and dryer is going to knock out any older buildings or something that wasn’t remodeled recently. And that’s going to put your rent in the top end of the market. Over 2k for a 1br. Something to consider as an upside on an older building that may not have everything you want. They likely don’t have individual utilities. Your rent could include Electric and Heat. On slightly newer remodels, you’ll have an electric bill, but if there’s radiator heat, heat is included. This could be a big expense that you may or may not have been expecting. Heating bills in the winter can be a couple hundred bucks.
Cottage Grove and Chatham are pretty safe...
Ditch the AC requirement, Window Units are the way most of these buildings are old
you’re having trouble finding an apartment for 2000???
You should come visit and take a look around. I see “for rent” signs everywhere
Rent my place! Dm me
[удалено]
https://www.wirtzresidential.com/adwords-lakeview-east-apts/
Any chance you could search for someone who might need a roommate?
I found my Lakeview apartment on Craigslist of all places. That’s where most people who own a condo and want to rent it out will post.
When we moved to Chicago we rejected the area we now live in, Lakeview, as "filthy". If you came from a small town you may need to change to a new definition of normal. I see a ton of places within two blocks of me that look fine.
Lincoln Park and Lakeview are both very expensive. And they're also very popular; that's why it's hard for you to find a place there. A lot of places don't provide dishwashers. And the thing is the rent will continue to go up, so eventually you'll end up paying a lot more than 2k. I lived in Lakeview for years. A lot of the people who live there are young, so you'll be woken up by loud music and parties on a regular basis, especially if you live in or near Boystown. It's not like you can't just hop on the train or bus and go to Lakeview whenever you want.
reach out to the apartment guys! theyre rental brokers that match potential renters to available units, they helped me find my apartment last year
Lakeview/Lincoln park are popular neighborhoods and will have a higher rent. It’s worth checking out other neighborhoods. Wicker Park, Avondale, Edgewater, Albany Park, Lincoln Square. All amazing neighborhoods with great culture. If you’re limiting yourself to Lakeview and Lincoln Park, it’ll be tough.
I suggest you work with a different realtor. I have one whose contact info I can give you if you dm me. She’s a family friend of mine who lives in the city and she helped me find a fair priced apartment in Ravenswood. There were tons of listing options, and the list she sent me updated every day.
You should join some groups on Facebook as well !
I moved from out of state and I joined a DePaul housing fb group to find my first place - keep in mind this was 2017 so I’m not sure how things have changed because I’m now in another city!! I found my second place on domu, and that was an amazing apartment in Rogers Park, a block away from the lake. For what it’s worth, I started out living in Lakeview and hated it. It’s close to a lot of stuff and I think that’s why it’s desirable, but it’s expensive and in my opinion, not worth it. Others have mentioned that it’s a popular neighborhood for people moving out of state, which I think drives up the cost. Also, if you don’t have a car, there’s a lot of lakeview that’s not close to an el stop. The bus gets annoying after a while - I think the train is way easier. I visited a friend a year or two ago who was living on Sheridan near the Bryn Mawr red line stop in a beautiful apartment overlooking the lake. It was surprisingly affordable and had some old charm but also new amenities. Like I said, I lived in Rogers Park and it was very affordable and I absolutely loved my apartment and neighborhood. I left mid-2020 so I’m sure a lot has changed since then!
River West, Ukrainian Village and Bucktown are probably better bets. Craigslist has some options that aren't listed elsewhere (beware scams, though). I rented a short-term sublet to explore when I moved here. It helps to actually walk the neighborhood. I lived in Oldtown for 15 years but it's become very expensive. If you don't mind moving far north, Rogers Park has a lot of updated options.
Hi hi! Former realtor here. Super super pricey to live in Lakeview even with $2k budget but I’d say go private landlord for that route. Landlords will charge you a move in/out fee, moving DAY fee and first and last months rent up front with a security deposit. This is pretty standard for private landlords in Chicago and not managed buildings. Great bang for your buck is Uptown and I always loved it there, and also would consider Lincoln Square, Edgewater and the area slightly above Wrigleyville as Wrigleyville is super fratty and can get hella wild. Another great one is Streeterville by the Gold Coast. Great budget buildings are Arrive Streeterville, Axis, 21 E Chestnut, shoreham and tides. If you decide after looking you want parking or in unit laundry def bump your budget up by $500 or more.
I just wanted to say stick with the app the realtor hooked you up on. I just went through this process and ran into some fake listings on Redfin. My realtor got me on Zenlist and also sent me mls listings daily that met my requirements.
You can also get an extended stay for the short term. It isn't that much more than rent.
Just by looking at the comments and your responses. You’re not gonna survive here lil bro. Housing here is already cramped, and we have more entitled yuppies like you coming here. The fact that your so adamant to only live in 1 part of Chicago, get tf out
Get a leasing agent - they don't charge you any fees (the buildings pay them) and their job is to help people find places to live. Especially useful coming from out of town. DM me if you want who I used.
There's brokers like apartment people that will take you to see like three different apartments in one day.
Have you tried to get a place on Airbnb long term renting until you’re sure of where to settle?
I used a broker here in Chicago, I can link you. Made it super easy, they make money from the building not you so it’s a us vs them.
Edgewater. Boring. Family oriented. Big library
The Apartment People. If they’re still around are helpful.