NFT: Any Chicago BBIers? Possible relocation

Great City. You will like it. Don't know a ton about the neighborhoods but wrigleyville is really cool, so is Lincoln Park, bucktown

Made a similar move a few years back. Where will you be working (location wise) as this will impact where you want to live. It's a cool city, work life balance is better here and it's definitely more affordable.

Feel free to email me imthatguybbi@gmail with any questions you have

Racine Plumbing is the name (it's a bar in an old hardware store). All Giants fans every Sunday. Great place to watch a game!

before any informed feedback can be provided.

Rent parameters; cultural interests; sports interests; food interests; tolerance of commute time; etc.

Do you need to drive or are you happy to uber or car share? Parking is a bitch!

Greek town Fulton Market area near restaurant row is taking off

North side is generally much safer than south side but you can get more space for your rent on the south side

more details can be provided if you share more variables of importance

In comment 14082982 ChicagoMarty said:

Quote:

before any informed feedback can be provided. Rent parameters; cultural interests; sports interests; food interests; tolerance of commute time; etc. Do you need to drive or are you happy to uber or car share? Parking is a bitch! Greek town Fulton Market area near restaurant row is taking off North side is generally much safer than south side but you can get more space for your rent on the south side more details can be provided if you share more variables of importance

Thanks everybody! Marty, here’s some feedback on your questions:

Rent - hopefully around $3,000-$3,200. Would ideally like a 2BR or a larger 1BR (we do have a dog and my wife will likely be working remotely from home full time)

Interests - Enjoy being around bars and restaurants. We aren’t really like architecture/museum type people so not as concerned about that. If you’re by any chance familiar with manhattan or Hoboken - we lived on the UES and currently in uptown Hoboken.. if that potentially gives you any indication of what kind of neighborhood we prefer. We are obviously big Giants fans but also play volleyball, basketball and golf. Proximity to a gym or fitness classes (if the building doesn’t offer them) would be a plus for my wife.

Car - we have one here but likely won’t bring it to Chicago as from what I understand, it isn’t really necessary. Some buildings we were looking at offered parking for a couple hundred a month but we aren’t sure if we need the car or not.

Happy to provide any additional details if you need!

Thank you!

Check out those neighborhoods, I think it'll fit what you are looking for. Lots to do and I think you'll appreciate the access to the lake, Lincoln Park and all it's trails and outdoor related stuff. For specifics look at a map - North of Division St, South of Addison, and East of Halstead. I've had reasonable luck in the past using padmapper.com. Apartments are different than back east, you will have high-rises too but you also have 2/3 flats and duplexes with underground living.

I would also suggest that you keep the car - I use public transportation often it's just not the same or as vast as NY/NJ. You can get by without it but I wouldn't ditch it just yet, especially if you already have one.

makes some good recommendations

The best thing you can do is visit and spend a little time if you can.

It is still unclear to me where you will be commuting to and how long a commute you can tolerate.

I know NYC and NJ well

Lincoln Park is a more established hood for yuppies imo. Lots of clubs and restaurants but pricey as are the apartments. But ideal location in terms of access to the Lake beaches where you can hike, bike, run, etc along the shore. Lots of beaches to play volley ball on

Almost all the neighborhoods have an abundance of gyms and workout facilities. That will not be a problem

Your rent allowance really gives you a lot of latitude in terms of the neighborhood you want to reside.

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. I think you and your wife are going to love it.

If your commute can stand it check out the Wrigleyville area. Walk all around Clark and Sheffield. Bars everywhere.

I would advise renting a couple of bikes and starting out on Clark St at the Chicago River and head north. You will quickly travel through the River North, Near North hoods and head into the Gold Coast, and Old Town hoods. Many, many bars and restaurants along this stretch.
Head northwest on Lincoln and return south along N Damen that will take you Bucktown, Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village. Stop at Randolph St and head east which will take you through West Town, Near West and River West.
Once again note all the bars, restaurants, fitness clubs and younger types walking their dogs. One thing I would strongly suggest on the early portion of your bike journey would be to take note of where the various train stations are and how far they might be from any prospective apt complexes that might intrigue.

Once you get back to where you started. Enjoy a beverage along the Chicago River esplanade and plot a journey on the Loop. You really want to experience the local train situation. First, it will take you through a bunch more neighborhoods that you might want to revisit.

Plan on returning at night to Randolph St restaurant row and check out the scene.

Right now based on your Hoboken parameters I would suggest almost any neighborhood with a West in it although some of the hoods with a North in it would likely be acceptable. It all comes down to the feel you develop when you visit the neighborhoods.

Hope that helps
cm

Sorry I forgot the commute details. The office would be on West Wacker Drive and ideally the commute wouldn’t be more than a half hour.

Will definitely take a look at all those neighborhoods that were mentioned!