I'm moving to Chicago and I have questions. (a little bit long)

In My Humble Opinion
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I’m planning on moving to Chicago sometime this summer. I have never lived there. I have no family there (except for my Mom’s adopted cousin, who I have never met, and couldn’t even tell you his last name). I have visited Chicago for a total of 14 days over the last 5 years, and I love the place! The move is happening as soon as I save enough cash to do it, which I think I can do in the next 2-3 months (I’ve been saving for awhile, already).

I’m a single female, 31 years. I will be moving alone, starting from scratch. I’ve never had problems taking care of myself in any situation, but I also have never spent much time in cities. I admit that, to some degree, I don’t really know what I’m getting into. But, I’m young and unattached, I’ve wanted to live in Chicago for as long as I can remember, so I figure now’s as good as time as any.

All the same, I do want to have some kind of plan. So, I have questions for all of you ChiDopers, and anyone else with something to add.

*Should I keep my vehicle? Is it going to be something I need, or just something I pay $200+ per month to park. My dad seems to think I won’t need it, but this is coming from a man who owns 4 vehicles and has never lived in a city with more than 100,000 population. He did offer to store it for me in the case that I don’t take it with me, but later change my mind. How easy are the busses/trains to use?

Assuming I leave my truck here in NM (or even if I don’t):

*Where should I live? I want to live north of downtown, but I’m not sure how far north is too far, or how far west is too far west if I’m going to be using only public transportation.
Wrigleyville? Lincoln Park? Those are the 'burb areas I know of, but I know there are many more in that general area. What are the affordable (say, $700-$1000 per month rent, all I need is a studio or one br) areas that are still safe and close to transportation?

*How much should I expect to pay for heat, in particular, and utilities, in general? How important is it that I find a place where heat is included? I ask this because I see so many ads/web sites in which “heat included” is listed as an ammenity. I live in the desert, and while A/C included is certainly a plus, it’s not all that expensive to pay for it yourself.

*How bad are the winters, really? Am I going to freeze to death?

Any advice that any of you could offer will be greatly appreciated, even if not in context to the questions above. I’d imagine there’s questions I haven’t even thought to ask, all input is certainly welcome. I’m sure someone has made a move like this before–your thoughts are welcome as well. I can almost guanentee that I’ll have more questions before I have all of your answers. Thanks in advance. I’m excited!

~S

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*Should I keep my vehicle? Is it going to be something I need, or just something I pay $200+ per month to park. My dad seems to think I won’t need it, but this is coming from a man who owns 4 vehicles and has never lived in a city with more than 100,000 population. He did offer to store it for me in the case that I don’t take it with me, but later change my mind. How easy are the busses/trains to use?

** Depends on the car. If it’s a truck (as you say) and it’s large then drive it here with all your goods, then sell it at carmax, or trade it in for a small sedan (i.e. toyota corolla). If it’s a small suv or jeep, then keep it, you’ll be glad you did come winter time. You probably won’t be paying for parking at home (depending on where you live) and you’re gonna want to take Public trans to work (again, depending on where you work)

The trains are simple, the lines are color coded, and spread out hub and spoke style from downtown. The busses can be a bit more complicated, but they’re not difficult to master at all, just know that when you ride 'em, not making eye contact with the loonies is the best way to make sure your ride is a pleasurable one.**

Assuming I leave my truck here in NM (or even if I don’t):

*Where should I live? I want to live north of downtown, but I’m not sure how far north is too far, or how far west is too far west if I’m going to be using only public transportation.Wrigleyville? Lincoln Park? Those are the 'burb areas I know of, but I know there are many more in that general area. What are the affordable (say, $700-$1000 per month rent, all I need is a studio or one br) areas that are still safe and close to transportation?

** Here again, you’re gonna want to scout for jobs before you come here (unless you already have one) so you can work as close to home as possible. As far as your boundaries; Personally, I wouldn’t go any futher than Andersonville to the north, or Bucktown to the west and if you wanted to stay closer to the Loop, then your choice is Streeterville, but you’ve got to hit it just right to make your housing budget there. My advice, go north. Uptown and Andersonville are blowing up right now, the transp. is easy to deal with and you’ll find some very affordable housing there. Lincoln Park, Boys Town (wrigleyville/roscoe village) and Old Town are suitable. Now I’lll grant you, Uptown can be a little dicey, but it’s all about the adventure right? Plus, it’s the home of the World Famous Uptown Poetry Slam! Though I would say that Avondale, Humboldt Park and Logan Square are pretty much out of the question**
*How much should I expect to pay for heat, in particular, and utilities, in general? How important is it that I find a place where heat is included? I ask this because I see so many ads/web sites in which “heat included” is listed as an ammenity. I live in the desert, and while A/C included is certainly a plus, it’s not all that expensive to pay for it yourself.

Heat included huh, many of the buildings are old, and have radiator heat, so saying “heat included” is like saying “walls included” it’s almost a given. If you move into a newer or rehabbed building, and have forced air heat for your unit, expect peoples gas to suck you dry. They’re vampires, with a heart, cause they let you work on a payment plan, and they can’t shut you off between november and april, it’s the law :smiley:

*How bad are the winters, really? Am I going to freeze to death?

Winters here build character. If you can’t deal with the winters, you don’t deserve the summers. Plus, it can get humid here. Really humid. It’s not the “dry heat” you’re used to. And yes, you will freeze to death, but after one winter wearing that flimsy little jacket to look cool, you’ll get yourself to an army-navy store, (like the one on belmont) and buy all the gear you need to layer, layer, layer, and long johns will be your friend

Any advice that any of you could offer will be greatly appreciated, even if not in context to the questions above. I’d imagine there’s questions I haven’t even thought to ask, all input is certainly welcome. I’m sure someone has made a move like this before–your thoughts are welcome as well. I can almost guanentee that I’ll have more questions before I have all of your answers. Thanks in advance. I’m excited!

I’m off to bed now, but I’ll be back and post more when I get up and can think more clearly

Oh, and definately check out the sponsor of this message board The Reader

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Congratulations on joining civilization! Just kidding. Just stay on the North Side and you’ll be fine.

Do you have a job lined up? If not, you’ll probably find that your expenses will run down your savings account much more quickly than you expect. Unfortunately, there really doesn’t appear to be much in the way of jobs here right now. Then again, I probably just know a bunch of unemployable idiots.

Depends on if you’ll need it for your job and where you decide to live. I’ve got everything I need right by the house, so I theoretically don’t even need to leave the neighborhood, but I’m close to major bus lines and the Red line (your main train line through the city). It’s pretty easy to move someplace where going to the grocery store is a pain in the ass and not properly understanding the bus lines will double your commute. I’d recommend not living more than a half mile from the el, whichever line you choose.

Parking can be a pain if you live in an area where there’s anything more than two-flats (i.e. one apartment with more than 10 units per block). Your odds of finding free on-street parking decrease exponentially and permit parking is just as bad. Your apartment may allow you a spot/charge for one which can help, but like you said, it’s expensive. $200/month sounds about right for a garage in my neighborhood.

The el’s great, so long as you live within that half-mile. It’s realtively reliable, safe for regular folks and doesn’t get unbearably crowded often (excepting the Red Line on Friday nights and the Brown Line during rush hour). The busses are, to be honest, varying degrees of awful.

Your best bet for finding housing is: 1) drive around the area Friday night, that will tell you all you need to know. 2) Check out the Reader’s spacefinder. You’ll get an idea of areas and going rates there. Just be sure that you check the place out first, I don’t know how many people I know who should have known better that didn’t and got burned.

For $1000 you can get a two bedroom in a lot of places (or, for not much more, a three bedroom). Then again, I’ve seen studios go for $800+ in Lincoln Park. I paid $570 for a one bedroom with all utilities included not too long ago (it was in a former SRO) and I imagine that the place is still around that price. There was even one place that I looked at that was $400 for a studio, so I think you’ll be surprised at what you can find.

Strictly speaking, Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park are both neighborhoods rather than suburbs. You’ll have to give some more information about what you’re looking for first, or it will degenerate into: Lakeview Rules! Andersonville 4eva, Wicker Park or Bust… Wrigleyville is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there (rally hopping bar scene for the post-college/last-hurrah crowd). Lincoln Park is a bit rich for my blood. Both relatively safe (except for the aforementioned Cubs fans and the Lincoln Park rapist…, but then again, everywhere’s got their problems).

The only apartments I’ve seen where heat and water weren’t included were condos that were being rented due to insolvency by the owner. IIRC, I pay about $70/mo. for utilities (gas, electric, phone/internet).

They’re as bad as you’ve heard, but you won’t freeze to death.

You’ve covered the basics: transportation and housing. The only other thing to decide is if you want to live in a more residential type neighborhood or someplace a bit more lively. Wrigleyville and LP are both pretty lively, but have their quiet spots. Wicker Park (where a number of ChiDopers live IIRC) is/has been up and coming, more artsy than either of the above two places. Basically, the further you go north/west, the quieter the neighborhoods are, but you won’t have any problems finding some place decent that gets you where you want to go.

If you want to schedule an apartment-hunting trip, I’m sure that several of the local Dopers would be more than happy to take you around.

That’s pretty brave to make a move “from scratch,” but I’d make sure that I had a job lined up.

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Here’s your best resource for finding public transporation routes: http://www.transitchicago.com/

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As you don’t have employment lined up already (which means you’re not stuck moving into a specific area to be close to work) may I suggest you look at some of the near-city suburbs? Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Oak Park, Edison Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge are some off the top of my head. All the 'burbs are on one train line or another, so if you needed to be downtown, mass transit would be readily available. In GENERAL, it’s slightly cheaper than living in the city itself and parking is much easier. You’ll find exceptions, but some of our little near-city suburbs are really the best of both worlds.

Weather-wise, Chicago is a city of extremes. We don’t get snow like Minnesota does, but it does get colder and we do get the occasional blizzard. In summer, it’s so humid you take a deep breath and feel as though you’re drowning. I’ve lived here all my life and I’m frequently surprised by the weather.

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Sami, welcome to Chicago (soon)! I was a 26 year old single woman when I moved here, and knew only one person in the entire state, so I know where you are coming from. I moved here without a job or a place to live and pretty much no money.

To start, if you don’t have a job lined up, you are going to have trouble getting a place to rent. So, at the very least, you need to start contacting temp companies if you have nothing else. (I would connect you to a link but the one I used when I came, New Office Temps, doesn’t seem to be coming up on yahoo yellow pages.)

As for neighborhoods, I second what the others have said. There are some places that just aren’t goo places to live, and some that are very nice but ridiculously overpriced. I have lived in some great neighborhoods: Lincoln Square/Ravenswood and Bucktown/Wicker Park (where we live now). I also agree that Uptown/Edgewater/Andersonville are very good–pretty safe and pretty afforadable. I know that these names mean nothing to you right now but once you start going through apartment listings, these will make sense. (Chicago is very neighborhood-centric.) It’s been awhile since I rented, but I wouls say that $800 a month (which will include heat and water) is about right for those areas. The phone company is a rip off so you might just want to stick with a cell for awhile to save money, if that is an issue.

As for a car–I didn’t have one for the first 5 years I lived here, but I would have liked to. If you have a car that is paid off (or the payments aren’t too bad) there is no reason not to bring it. Most places you can park for free in the street–and if you park it, you can just keep it there all week, take the bus or El to work, and use the car in emergencies. That way, even if parking in your neighborhood at a premium, you won’t have to deal with it too often. It’s really only if you live down in Streeterville (more downtwon and too expensive, anyway) that you will have to pay to park. So I think you should bring it, unless selling it will bring you a good amount and you could use the money. The only expense you will have is an annual city sticker ($75/year) and then maintenance and gas. (Some neighborhoods make you pay for a sticker that lets you park in that area, but it’s a one-time fee and nothing too horrible. Less than $100/year, IIRC.)

As for winters, I can’t really tell you. I grew up in NJ and the winters there are the same. But you’re from NM so yes, you will think they are bad. But you’ll get used to them. Get a good winter coat, long underwear, gloves and a hat and scarf. You’ll live. Layers are your friends!

Please let us know if you have more questions!

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I second the advice to look at the Reader’s apartment listings; IMHO they are the best ones in the city, at least for the North Side. If you live/work near the El, you should be able to get along fine without a car, if you want to keep your expenses down. I didn’t own a car at all until I was 26 and was leaving for grad school. But if you get a job in the ‘burbs, you’ll want to keep your car.

I live in Andersonville, and have a 10-minute walk to the Red Line. You might also want to check out Lincoln Square – rents there are still pretty affordable. If you live anywhere south of, say, Addison, parking gets progressively more difficult, although as far north as Rogers Park it can be a real pain if you live on a block with lots of big apartment buildings. My block is mostly two-flats, and most of the surrounding blocks are two-flats and single-family homes, so parking isn’t too bad. Rent should be within your range in either neighborhood – I have a quite decent-sized 1-br. on the lower end of your range, with a back porch and everything.

Let us know as you narrow things down – lots more advice on request.

(Oh, and Andersonville 4Evah! Great ethnic grocery shopping and restaurants.)

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Thanks for the replies and the links.

I actually have been checking the Reader, in fact, that’s how I found the SDMB. I think the Spacefinder will be much more easy to use with names of the neighborhoods in mind. Up until now I’ve just been searching by zip codes–and a lot of guessing.

As far as jobs go, I’ve been bartending for 9 years and will probably stay in the industry. Most of the listings are for jobs available now so I haven’t yet made any inquiries. I’ll do that when I know when exactly I’ll be there.

Another question–what’s the bug situation? Most of the bugs around here stay outside, but then it’s much warmer so they don’t all want in. I’m not incredibly squeamish, expect when it comes to spiders, but I’d like to know what to expect.

Thanks again ~S

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Bar Louie is always hiring (shudder).

No scorpions, tarantulas or anything like that, but lots of mosquitos and this year…cicadas!

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I say keep the car until you find a job and have time to decide if you can live with the CTA. If you have to make more than 1 transfer to get between work and home you may find driving will be easier.

That being said, parking sucks no matter where you live. It’s just a fact of life here.

Rogers Park and Logan Square are reasonable rentwise, and I think Ukranian Village still is, although I’ve heard it’s the "next Wicker Park. :rolleyes: " Pilsen’s okay too if you want to consider the near south side. Unless you’re an insane Cubs fan avoid Wrigleyville like the plague (Although you can probably find a job there. I think the ratio of bars to residents is approaching 1:1.) and absolutely don’t try to drive anywhere within a mile of Wrigley on a game day. This is the kind of tip you can only get from a local.

The weather isn’t that bad. Of course, I grew up in Iowa so it’s pretty much the same. You may disagree. I second the layers during winter. Absolutely get an air conditioner if your apartment doesn’t already have one (and it probably won’t).

Also, as soon as you get here check in at city hall. The Mayor has a lovely fruit basket for each new resident. :smiley:

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If I ever did move back to Chicago, I would live in one of these neighborhoods. I think my favorite neighborhood was Roscoe Village.

Others in order of my liking:

Lincoln Park
Lakeview
Bucktown
Gold Coast

http://www.dreamtown.com/images/centralmap.gif

I sold my car when I moved into the city. There were times I wish I had it, but those times were few. I just rented a car when I really needed one.

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I forgot about Roscoe Village. It’s nice, and relatively close to shopping and hopping areas.

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Congratulations! I lived in Chicago 15 years and still work there - it can be a wonderful place.

My goodness - hey, I live in Indiana and work in the Loop - and I STILL take the train to work! Nine of the fifteen years I lived in Chicago I had no vehicle of my own - and never missed it. A lot depends on the neighborhood you live in, and where you work, but parking VERY expensive in many places. A lot of people don’t own cars - they take mass transit or taxis in the city, and rent a car if they want to take a trip outside of where the transit goes (keeping in mind Metra goes as far north as the Wisconsin border, as far south as Lockport (maybe farther), and the South Shore Rail Road goes all the way to South Bend, Indiana).

By the way - parking downtown in the Loop can run $20 a day and up, depending on location. That’s over $400 a month. Some neighborhoods restrict parking just to residents - which might make working there difficult.

It’s well worth learning the bus and train system. CTA, Metra, and South Shore all have websites.

I’ve worked in the Chicago Loop since 1983 - yes! for 21 years! - and I have driven my own car into the Loop exactly once - and boy was that a pain in the backside! In some areas, you’re foolish if you drive.

If you must keep a vehicle, a small sized sedan or sub-compact will make parking MUCh easier. A lot of the city parking is parallel parking. Your vehicle will also acquire a rumpled bumper both back and front if you park on the street.

Anywhere in the city limits you can probably use mass transit, as a backup if nothing else.

“Wrigleyville” and “Lincoln Park” are not suburbs - they’re city nieghborhoods, and not even close to the city borders (well, they’re close to the big lake, but I’m pretty sure you intending to live a mile offshore). I haven’t lived in the city for six years, so I’m not current on which neighborhoods are decents these days. Don’t sell the south side too short - yes, I was a northsider my whole time there but I married a boy from the southside.

I was paying $650/month for a two bedroom apartment with heat included, about $40 in electric and $10-15 in gas a month (I did a LOT of cooking!). That was six years ago on the far north side (I used to walk to Evanston, the first suburb north of Chicago along the lakefront.) I was a block and half from the beach. Unfortunately, that area isn’t particularly safe anymore.

I also know people paying $1200 + utilities for a one-bedroom apartment/condo in a Loop highrise.

I also recommend the Reader for apartment shopping.

As already mentioned, in many places you don’t get a choice. “Heat included” often means steam radiators.

Avoid electric heat - it’s expensive, and baby, it gets cold in the wintertime!

The first winter is a make or break - some people adapt beautifully and learn to love the season (although not the driving and commuting hassles). Others can’t handle it. I recommend long underwear, a heavy coat - heavier than anything you’ve ever owned in your life - and hat and gloves. I bought my current down coat for heavy winter cold for about $120 - it’s ankle length, goose down, and I can stand comfortably in sub-zero weather for a half an hour to an hour while waiting for a train or bus. Fashionable boots are… well, fashionable but what you really need is something waterproof and warm with a good tread if you plan to do any serious walking outside in winter.

Worst cold I ever endured in the city was -28. Worst wind about 75 mph. I remember a stretch where it never got above -10 for two weeks. However, MOST of the time winter is not that severe. Worst heat was 106 degrees - I’m sure New Mexico has dealt worse. One major difference is that it is FAR more humid in the summer time in Chicago 90-100% is common in August.

If you’ve never driven on snow or ice PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS!!! Ask a local for help. Or even go to a driving school and ask for advice. Or take the bus and train all winter.

The city is so varied in character that a lot depends on where you wind up living and working. Some areas are like suburbs, with single-family homes. Other places are 80 story high rise apartments. There’s lots in between. Buildings range from brand new to over 100 years old.

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It’s all about Ravenswood, beeeyotch!

No, I have nothing useful to add beyond, uh, Chicago nice. Me like.

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Expect to pay $850+ now and it’s perfectly safe as long as you stay south of Touhy.

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Wow! Lots of information–Thanks to all!

CCWaterback that is a great link. Thanks much. That will come in very handy.

I’m leaning towards keeping my truck, I think mostly because it seems like such a
huge part of me. I think that a very prevalent SW attitude, because we need vehicles out here (you guys would laugh at our bus “system”). But I’m still not sure. As for snow driving, I haven’t done very much in 12 years, but I was raised up in the mountains so I learned to drive in snow.

I am a rabid Cubs’ fan, but I get the point about not driving around Wrigley on game days. I’ll most likely be part of the problem :slight_smile: . I like that bar:resident ratio.

Do I really get a fruit basket? :slight_smile:

Thanks again to all.

~S