Where to live in Chicago - asking the "locals"

Hi everyone, I repost this message here (for the third time!!!) after I realised I put it in the wrong section!

the CEO of my company suggested that I might work in the USA for a few years - in Chicago. I'd like to live in downtown, where all the "action" is - theaters, art exhibitions, plus the best restaurants and bars within walking distance, ideally with a direct view on the lake. However, I don't know the city that well. What areas of downtown are "safe" and recommendable for nice apartments? I'm looking to rent a place, I like the idea of a high rise with a view on the lake.

Also, are there any F-car owners in the area? Any meetings or tracks to go for some weekend fun?

Thanks
Andrea

 

How old are you? Where will you be working? Single? Children?

 

Yikes....born and raised in Chicago, finally wised up and moved out a few years ago to warm, sunny Southern California, where we drive our Ferraris year round!

But don't get me wrong: Chicago's a GREAT city, and I get a thrill every time I go back for a visit.

But today here, the sun's out, it's in the upper 80s, I drove the F car in to work, and life's good!

Best of luck!

 

Robert Taylor Homes perhaps?

 

I used to enjoy driving by Cabrini On The Green after a night of partying on Rush Street... the location is fantastic!

 

If you are young, then living Downtown is Great! So much to do. Lots of Public Transportation, too, to get around really easily. As owning a car downtown, if your building does not have a parking garage, is a super Pain in the rear!

Right now, there is a New Construction Condo Glut in Downtown Chicago. So, if you want to buy something, there are some great deals to be had. But, finding a Rental is also very easy. The South Loop is really coming up, too, with alot of new buildings, stores, etc. And not quite as crowded as it is closer to "The Loop". Plus, you are closer, walking distance, to the Museum Campus. Which is right along the Lakefront. And has The Field Museum of Natural History. The Shedd Aquarium. The Adler Planetarium. And Soldier Field for Concerts and Bears games. ("Buddy Guys Legends" Blues Bar, too... )

Personally, I like the old Buildings that are along North Lake Shore Drive. (North Av. to Irving Park Rd.) There are new ones too. You can find Studios and 1 BDR for very reasonable $$. Plus, you have the Lakefront and Beaches at your doorstep. And close to Michigan Avenue shopping, the more South that you are. And not far from the "River North" Bar and Entertainment area.

If I were you, I would definitely make sure that you find a building that has a Parking garage. Also, some of the larger buildings have small Grocery stores, Dry Cleaners, Gyms, etc... in them. So you don't have to go wandering around looking for that stuff.

It also depends on how much you can spend. Find something in Lincoln Park, along the Lakefront would be fantastic! But, it will part you with more of your money than other spots.

Check the Real estate section in the Chicago Tribune. Mostly on Sundays. www.chicagotribune.com Good Luck! And hopefully, Welcome to Chicago! It really is a beautiful City. And, since you are from Switzerland, the cold snowy Winters won't bother you too much!....

 

Check in with our moderator Andreas 'tifosi 12'.

He's from Switzerland, and lives in a highrise across the street from the lake.

He's also the president of our local FOC, and a really nice guy!

 

That's just one person's opinion...LOL !!!

Actually, that would be my first suggestion also.

The Lincoln Park area has nice condos, with a number for lease. Now, these won't come cheap, but most do include indoor parking spaces. This area is just to the north of the North Michigan Ave. area, near Rush St., Clark St. and Lincoln Avenue areas.

 

Thanks for all the info!

I'm 35, married, and with a baby coming next january. However both my wife and I are quite "dynamic" - we both agree that having a baby won't turn us into a boring SUV-driving soccer-mum/office-dad suburb-living stereotype of a family. We intend to keep travelling around, enjoying supercars, going to trackdays and all that. The baby will come along with me... and he'll learn fast

I love the architecture of Chicago Downtown and I like the idea of waking up every morning with a view on Lake Michigan. I think to start with I will rent. By the way, how safe is downtown? Could we take the child for a walk in the park without risks?

I'll look around the Lincoln Park area, I like that a lot. Where exactly does Tifosi12 live?

 

Hey, sounds great! Yeah, I have been taking my now 9 year old Son along with me since he was 2 years old....His 15 year old sister, too, for that matter.....(Though, now that she is a teenager, doesn't like hanging around with her Dad as much.... )

The Downtown Chicago area is pretty safe. Yes, you can walk along the Lakefront with your Family with no problem. Though, always being aware is recommended, as with anywhere, really. There are always lots of people around, and plenty of "Chicago's Finest" making their presence known.

I think that you will really love it here. So much to do. Then, venturing out to the 'Burbs, the Country, Wisconsin, (check out New Glarus, which has alot of Swiss Stores and Restaraunts, too.) Really a great area to live,. IMO.

Personally,though, with my Arthritis, am myself pining to live out West, in Arizona or California as soon as my Daughter goes to College in a few years. I crave the year round warm temps. And can always go to Northern Cal., or Northern Arizona to "visit" the Snow and Pine trees, then go back to the Sand and Palm trees that same day.... And, ofcourse, always come back to visit Chicago....

 

Another Euro coming to Chi Town

I havent got much to down town yet but loved what i saw. Michigan Ave is just like 5th in NY..Crazy.
Lake Shore Drive would be the place id want to have a flat if i could live downtown but our offices are in Buffalo Grove.

When are you moving ?

 

Tifosi12 lives between Lincoln Park and the Michigan Ave. area, along Lake Shore Drive.

Lincoln Park is a safe area, the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory (greenhouse) are located in the park and the beach area is on the other side of the park from the housing.

Bill

 

I live very close to right here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=500+N+Columbus+Dr,+Chicago,+IL+60611&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=1

There are about 12 buildings going up just north of the river and several new buildings going up just south of the river. You can probably find a place to rent in most of them or in some of the other buildings around. There are two university campuses right nearby UChicago GSB, Northwestern medical school, a big hospital campus, numerous hotels and so it is safe. There are often tourists and students wandering around. The is also the Museum of Contemporary Art nearby - and to the south in the Millennium park area there is the Art Institute of Chicago. I have friends with several young kids who live in the area too. Theaters are nearby in the loop and the view of the lake is very worthwhile.

If you want to start looking for a place here is the website of the development just being finished. I don't work for them or anything - I just know their website because the buildings are blocking my view at work.
http://www.lakeshoreeast.com/home.html

 

Thanks everyone! I hope this thing works out. I'm now looking forward to living in Chi! Now, it all depends on how fast the CEO can get me this job in the USA, because in the meantime I'm getting bored and I may accept a better offer from another company in Munich... in which case Chicago would be off.

Also there's the risk I will be sent to China instead of Chicago ... I'm serious, that was the other possibility mentioned by our CEO.

 

Here is a very cool place to track your car. I went there once with the Lotus club we used the entire 3.56 mile 21 turn course. Even after driving all day did not get to know the track.

http://www.autobahncountryclub.net/

 

This weekend, check out: www.chicagotribune.com for their weekend classified Real Estate section ads. Maybe that will give you some ideas of Prices, Etc...

 

Andrea,

My wife and I live in the city with our 6 month old boy. There are a lot of terrific neighborhoods to live in, and safe as well. Downtown can be very exciting, but the constant activity can get a little tiresome when you actually live there. If you like the idea of living in a high-rise, then something close to downtown is probably for you. But as you go north a few miles along the lake, there are many great neighborhoods with parks and more interesting things to do on a day-to-day basis. As you go North from downtown you go through these neighborhoods:

River North--very busy with a lot of touristy bars and restaurants.

Gold Coast--Just like it sounds.

Old Town--Interesting and fun part of town. Pretty good mix of people and places to go.

Lincoln Park--Over-rated and over-priced. Full of self-important millionaires and recent college grad 20-somethings aspiring to be self-important millionaires.

Lakeview--(Where we live) Home of Wrigleyville where the baseball team (Cubs) plays. A real good mix of stores, bars, restaurants, parks, etc. Also a lot of young families.

Let me know if you would like any help finding your way around. It's a big city, and there are lots of great areas.

 

Live in Lincoln Park, if you don't want to look over your shoulder at night....Its kinda a bore really!

 

Thank you for the tips! I'll be in touch if I get the OK from the CEO to go. I really like Chicago and I think I'll enjoy living there. Ideally I'll look for a place with two garage spaces, so I can keep an F-car and perhaps a Maserati Coupe as daily driver (I hear you can get them really cheap in the US). My office would be in the area of Burr Ridge, is it a long commute? Actually, would I need a 4WD vehicle for winter?

 

Burr Ridge isn't too bad of a commute. It's just over 20 miles and is right off of a major highway. And since you'd be doing a reverse commute, your drive wouldn't be too bad from downtown Chicago. Most high-rises have a lot of parking, but a lot of them sell their extra spots and in that area they can go for as much as $50K. However, you should be able to find what you're looking for without much of a problem. As for winter, I would suggest something with 4WD since you will be commuting by car. You never know how much snow we'll get--sometimes a lot, others hardly any at all--but I'll guarantee that there will be at least a couple days where 4WD will pay for itself! You will find that, within the city, you do very little driving if any at all. If you plan on buying a Ferrari or Maser here, the Hinsdale dealership is out near where your office will be. "Cheap" is always a subjective term, and while the dealerships tend to deal in nicer models, it's definitely reflected in the price. But those are all things for you to figure out later. Another advantage to being downtown for you and your wife is that it will put you near Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Their Prentice Womens Hospital is one of the top facilities in the world.

 

I would rent an executive rental apartment until I understood the area more, and than I would decide on a place that was just right.

Chicago is just Chicago. A lot of nuances from area to area. Take a little time and make the correct choice. I still am amazed how the down town has been clean up to what it is today. I remember when some of the secondary feeder streets into the down town were not to be driven on if you wanted to be safe. Clybourn Avenue was the fastest street to down town from Western and Belmont, but you didn't stop at the stop lights, just slowed down and drove through. I remember seeing a guy one night with a shoulder holster and nothing covering it. I always went that way because it was never congested even when the expressway was stop-and-go.

Norbert