Apartment Hunting in Chicago Forum

[Anonymous User]

Have a first-year associate offer position for after I graduate in May. Firm is located off of Michigan Ave, by the Chicago River.

Some deets about myself: I am a 25-year old, single male. I have a small dog, so place needs to allow pets. I love to run, so nearby running paths/trails would be great.

Does anyone have any particular suggestions for apts. or areas where I should be looking? Do people with jobs in the same area typically live downtown by the firm?

If I were to live downtown, do I need a car?

For the Chicago market, when is a good time to start hunting (i.e., when is it too early?)

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

If you live in downtown, you absolutely do not need a car. Public transit exists and will get you wherever you need to go basically, otherwise, cabs are extremely accessible. If you choose to have a car, parking runs $150-$250 depending on where in downtown and whether it's indoor or outdoor parking.

Many condo buildings in Chicago are dog friendly! So I highly recommend looking on Craigslist and/or padmapper for condo listings. Looking 2 months out from when you want to move in is the best, anything earlier will probably be not very fruitful since there will be limited postings far out in advance.

Not as many apartment buildings are dog-friendly, so that will be your limiting factor if you look at apartments. I know 420 E Ohio does, which is about a 10-15 minute walk to Michigan and the river, but there might be some closer. The area you would want to be looking at if you want to be close to work is Streeterville, River North (and Near North, kinda merges), Loop... maybe West Loop and South Loop if you're ok with taking a quick bus or el ride to work.

Good luck!

[happy-go-lucky]

oops, accidentally posted anonymously.

[theaccidentalclerk]

Re: Running. If you live in pretty much any of the areas identified above, you'll be about 10 minutes from the lake, where there is a nice lakefront path. Bad news is that it's going to be fairly stop-and-go until you get there. (I usually have to stop at 3-4 intersections -- and sometimes as many as 5 -- going from my apartment in the western part of the South Loop to the lakefront.)

And you shouldn't have any problem looking more than one month and less than two in advance.

[09042014]

1.5-2 months out unless you wanna sign up for a huge building in Streeterville. There are a couple of nice buildings just north of the River, and some just south of the river.

You could also get something in South Loop, West Loop, Gold Coast, or even Old Town or Lincoln Park and have a small commute but living in better neighborhoods for younger people. River North + Streeterville kinda suck.