Finding an Apt in the city

[Deanna]

I am not sure if any of you had a chance to read my blog posts, but I just accepted a job in Niles and wanted to ask if any of you gals know what are some good areas for apartments that are not too pricey including utilities-I am thinking I can get something on the Northside because I would need to take 94 to Dempster for this job. Any advice,suggestions would be much appreciated! It is a job in the suburbs but I still want to be relatively close to the city if possible-thanks!

[Carrie]

I used a broker, and there was no fee at all. Apparently in Chicago, the sellers pay a finder's fee, so it is no cost to the buyer/renter. Let me know if you want her name. I told her I wanted a 1 br secure building on the southside that allowed pets and close to public transportation, and she found me the perfect place in Hyde Park! Let me know if you want her name, I'm sure she could find you a great place on the Northside, and she actually specializes in the suburbs.

[Deanna]

Carrie- give me the name if you can! I am going through orientation for my job and I am thinking omg when am I gonna do this job searching :-/. My email is [e-mail] but I think you did a request to be your friend so you can even send it to me there.

My job is going to be between Milwaukee and Golf Rd in Niles(yikes!).Yea I need to find a "smart" spot so I don't end up regretting a grueling commute.

[amylulich]

Hi Deanna--I just finished hunting for my second apartment in the city. Thank goodness it's over with. Looking for an apartment can be really exhausting. My roommate and scoured over Craigslist for two weeks before we found our apartment just randomly walking around. We saw so many places that were not what we were looking for. I think sometimes apartment finder services hype up apartments and they can end up being crappy--ie a $1350 two bedroom in Lakeview that had stains all over the carpets--ew! So my suggestion is find a neighborhood that you like, feel safe in, etc. and start walking around!

I am partial to West Lakeview/Southport Cooridor because that is the only place that I have lived (for two years) and that is where my next apartment is. It's not far from 94--you can drive about a mile and a half and get out at Fullerton/Belmont/Addison, etc. You might also want to think about Ravenswood, North Center, North Ravenswood, which are further north and around the expressway, but tend to be less expensive than Lakeview.

Good Luck!

[Deanna]

Southport huh-will do some reasearch-thanks!