Cost of living in Chicago

[seaboy4hire]

So since there is no thread on the cost of living in my favorite NA city here it is. Tell it like it is? From what I've seen online it doesn't seem that much more then Seattle. Or is it? I have a 2 bedroom apt, w/d, dw with parking for 1250 (OUCH!) and the building is about 10 yrs old. But it is located within walking distance to dt all the bars and about 7 grocery stores. I'm wanting to move hopefully this summer and live in the city proper. I can't do the burbs. I need my dirty city, bums and maybe a few crack ####. Althoug I haven't really seen much like that in the city but I think ya'll get what I might be saying.

 

Hugs,

Greg

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Chicago Jan 30th, Feb 1, 2, and 4th

[+ deej]

I haven't lived in Chicago in 5+ years, but while I did I spent a good bit of time in Seattle. I think they're comparable, with Chicago being just a hair more expensive. Or it was then.

 

You already know the neigborhood you want, of course. ;-) If you can afford it, I'd stay in a hotel for the week and walk the neighborhood watching for "for rent" signs -- get them before they hit the papers.

[seaboy4hire]

Licoln Park is nice as well as Wrigley area and I like Licoln Square too. I'm checking out the stores that the company I work for to see how far and easy they are to get to and I'm making Boobers talk to the boss man face to face too. Figure no more phone tag and face to face would let the boss man size Boobers up.

 

Hugs,

Greg

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

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Chicago Jan 30th, Feb 1, 2, and 4th

[+ deej]

I have no idea what's hot there right now.

 

When I moved away, Wrigley/Lincoln Square had been hot but the hot spot was rapidly moving North through Ravenswood up toward N. Clark. Boystown was becoming yuppie family town.

 

(The clubs didn't move, they just started getting a lot more complaints from new neighbors.)

 

Hopefully a current Chicagoan will chime in. (Barry! You there?)

[lookin4hotties]

If you just wanted a "taste" of chicago, try

spending a fun, crazy boy-filled summer in Chicago by

subletting in Boystown. That way you aren't locked-

in an expensive lease, and you still get a big piece of

the action during the best time of the year in Chicago.

 

If I were going to spend a fun, crazy, boy-filled summer

in Chicago, I would sublet either my own place, or a

larger place (w/ roommates) in the Boystown neighborhood

(the gay part of Lakeview). To be within stumbling-home

distance from my favorite bars, I would sublet on a quiet

street near the action between Clark and Broadway, like

on Cornelia near Halsted. If you don't mind street noise,

then a place right on say, Halsted or Broadway overlooking

the street with a 2nd floor balcony would be fun too,

particularly if it is on the parade route for Pride.

You could host a crazy party or two during pride by

just leaving your door unlocked!

 

Lookin4hotties

[Guest RandyRon]

It's been a while since I looked at rents in Chicago but I would say that $1250 for a 2 bedroom is a bargain, especially in the Lincoln Park area. As I don't like a lot of noise, I would avoid Boystown. My recommendation is to look farther North like in Uptown (North of Irving Park) which is being regentrified very rapidly. Marine Drive or Sheridan (about 4500 to 6000 North) are good bets. Of course, the closer you get to the Lake, the higher the rents. With all the condos being built and the market taking a small dive, rents may be coming down; at least a little.

 

I've spent most of my time lately at my other home in Southern Illinois, where everything is much cheaper. Even the cost of food in Chicago is a shock to me in comparison to Southern Illinois.

 

Good Luck and Welcome to the "Windy City." BTW, remember that the "Windy City" refers to our Politicians not the actual wind. To become a real Chicagoan, you must memorize the date of October 8-9, 1871.

[seaboy4hire]

I've heard Uptown is up and coming. I am kind of familiar with Chicago since I've been out there quite a few times but it is soooo much bigger then Seattle in every way, from eating places, neighborhoods, entertainment etc. This trip at the end of the month is an extended trip so that hopefully I can get a better idea of nieghborhoods and what not. Boobers isn't too much help since he hasn't lived out there in over 20 years. I am thinking of maybe mapping out different areas and popping into one of the rental brokers to get a better feel of what is offered. I do realize that the first of the year is usually a slow time and not too much is offered. G-d I hope we get the green light to move out there. One more year in Seattle and I might go crazy. It's a nice place...to visit but not to live at least for me.

 

Hugs,

Greg

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6707/lebec084a9ad147f620acd5ps8.jpg

Chicago Jan 30th, Feb 1, 2, and 4th