Current Chicago resident living in Lakeview East.

I would recommend River North, River West or West Loop/Fulton Market. Lakeview East and Lincoln Park will need to be near train stations, although Lakeview East has good buses running extremely frequently downtown. Lakeview East still has a very size able young population, and our restaurants/things to do still show that (I mean how many cheap eats does one neighborhood need?!!!!). Not everyone can afford West Loop!

I think for his first year he really should stick nearish to office and bite the bullet that he pays a little more, especially since he doesn’t know anyone yet.

I don’t know any resources, but npnparents.com would.

Regarding crime, Chicago is a major city - 3rd to NY, LA and above Houston. I lived and worked in DC for many years. I lived oh 4th&F NE when the H Street Corridor still had drug dealers. I had an internship when on U Street when U Street was absolutely terrifying. I went to Howard a handful of times, and every time I got in a cab and scampered right into a friend’s home and scampered right back into a cab.

All this to say, as long as he has good judgement, he’s fine. If he wants to be out at 4AM in any neighborhood, he will find trouble.

OP here. Thank you all so much for your suggestions and advice. Re: budget, not sure yet, but not high. We've been looking online and the $2-2,500 for studios seems unreal.

Does anyone know of a legitimate roommate resource for Chicago? He was hoping to get his own place but it may make more financial sense to have a roommate. TIA.

What's the rental budget?

Fwiw, I work in the West Loop near Fulton Market and last year, one coworker had her car stolen out of our parking lot. Another coworker was beat up and robbed at gunpoint walking past the $500 a night hotel at 6a.m. in the morning. I often walk from the train to work and I no longer carry any credit cards or anything important with me. I have a cheap flip phone, a CTA and metra pass and $10 cash and that's it.

I lived in the city for 20 years in what people would consider "bad" and "good" neighborhoods. The only real difference I saw was that some neighborhoods are primarily white and some are diverse. All of them have violent crime. Some of the "best" neighborhoods in Chicago have a significant issue with carjackings, but people don't call those "sketchy". That's sketchy as heck to me. Not saying that RP and Pilsen don't have issues, but so do the places where it costs 500k-1 million dollars to buy a 2 bed condo. Those neighborhoods are whiter though.

Anonymous wrote:Lakeview.

Lakeview is pretty sleepy/boring these days for younger people. If you do choose Lakeview, make sure you're on the Eastern part of it, which trends younger, but the negatives to that area is that it's further from the train. Lakeview was the hot area for young people 15+ years ago.

Agreed with others that Rogers Park and Pilsen are not great. They are cheaper but very spotty.

There are some full service buildings in West Loop/Fulton Market area that are amazing, just depends on budget.

Logan Square--stay on the eastern edges, closest to the Blue Line. Lots of 20-somethings moving to that area these days. I lived in Chicago for over 20 years and this is where I would have my kids live.

Pilsen is sketchy AF and doesn't have easy access to downtown (think having to take 2 buses). I would try West Loop or north side as far north as Roger Park or even East Hyde Park ( which would involve a nice walk to the Willis Tower from Michigan Ave ).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend Rogers Park if you want affordable or parts of Pilsen. Rogers Park will be a 30-40 minute train ride from Sears Tower, Pilsen will be maybe 20 minutes. You can get a 1 bedroom in Rogers Park for maybe $1200 a month. I think Pilsen is similar. But West Loop will be at least $2800 for a 1 bed. Lakeview might be $1600, Lincoln Park will be about $1800-2000. Logan Square will be pricey, unless you get lucky. You might find something in Uptown that is less than any of these, but you'd have to be careful about which block you are renting from.

Rogers Park is pretty sketchy

No, it's really not, not anymore than the rest of the city. But none of the neighborhoods that people consider "good" are affordable.

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend Rogers Park if you want affordable or parts of Pilsen. Rogers Park will be a 30-40 minute train ride from Sears Tower, Pilsen will be maybe 20 minutes. You can get a 1 bedroom in Rogers Park for maybe $1200 a month. I think Pilsen is similar. But West Loop will be at least $2800 for a 1 bed. Lakeview might be $1600, Lincoln Park will be about $1800-2000. Logan Square will be pricey, unless you get lucky. You might find something in Uptown that is less than any of these, but you'd have to be careful about which block you are renting from.

Rogers Park is pretty sketchy

Posted above about some affordable-ish neighborhoods. Your child will find less expensive apartments by walking around the neighborhoods they wish to live in than by looking online. Private landlords (instead of big company owned buildings) will have lower rent than big companies. Rents have gone up so much in the city. If your child can find a roommate, they can save a lot by splitting a 2 bed.

I would recommend Rogers Park if you want affordable or parts of Pilsen. Rogers Park will be a 30-40 minute train ride from Sears Tower, Pilsen will be maybe 20 minutes. You can get a 1 bedroom in Rogers Park for maybe $1200 a month. I think Pilsen is similar. But West Loop will be at least $2800 for a 1 bed. Lakeview might be $1600, Lincoln Park will be about $1800-2000. Logan Square will be pricey, unless you get lucky. You might find something in Uptown that is less than any of these, but you'd have to be careful about which block you are renting from.

Thanks, all!

Lakeview, West Loop (might be pricey, not sure of rent rates these days), Bucktown/Wicker Park/West Town.

Sears Tower forever

Right?

FYI

Lakeview.

My DC may be moving to Chicago for work and we're not familiar with the city at all. They will be working not far from Willis Tower. Obviously, those neighborhoods are super expensive; could any of you recommend a safe area within the city with rents that aren't astronomical? Just looking for a one-bdrm. TIA!