RENTING A DOWNTOWN CHICAGO APARTMENT

Moving to Chicago for a new job? Wanting to move on with life in the Windy City? Finding a decent apartment in downtown Chicago can be as frustrating, as finding a needle in a haystack. To step into Chicago’s ever changing contemporary culture, you must have a place to live first – a nice and cozy downtown Chicago apartment perhaps.
A city with a rich history and culture, Chicago is made alive by people of different cultures, tastes, and styles. This can be reflected in its various neighborhoods, each possessing its unique appeal. If you cut through its busy thoroughfares, you will notice many establishments around, catering to the city’s locals and visitors. Observing the city from the window of your apartment, you can see the city is teeming with urbanity.

It is much cheaper to rent an apartment in downtown Chicago than in New York or L.A. The city has lots to offer, whether you are living on your own or with a room-mate. You will have plenty of options to choose from.

Determine your budget

How much do you want to spend on rent? This is the first question you will have to consider. Make an accounting of your finances and determine how much you can set aside to pay for the rent, plus the utilities. Consider your job. Can it pay off your rent plus household expenses? If not, you will have to decide living in less expensive areas or earn more money through part-time or freelance work.

It could be financially straining to live on your own, so how about finding yourself a room-mate? If you would decide to live with a room-mate, you can choose from any of your friends, bring them over to your place, and live with you. A potential room-mate should be someone you can find comfortable living with, and ready to share resources and help pay expenses too.

Discuss with your room-mate about the living arrangements, housing costs, and other finances to avoid misunderstanding and conflicts later on.

Choose a neighborhood

You will not have a hard time finding downtown apartments in Chicago. The city has many neighborhoods in its four areas: the North, South, West, and The Loop. Walk or drive through any potential neighborhoods where you would want to seek an apartment. Spend some time there at different times of the day or week and observe how the place looks and sounds like day and night.

The Loop is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago. It is a home to many government offices, businesses, shops, restaurants, and other commercial establishments. Apartment rent is quite expensive there, but if you love the upscale life, then this is the place for you.

Chicago’s South Side is divided into smaller towns. A not so glitzy area, the South Side is where the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry are located. The places also have some large parks for outdoor recreation: Jackson Park, Washington Park, and Burnham Park. If you are a fan of the Chicago White Sox, the South Side is where they play, at 35th Street. Apartments here are guaranteed to be cheap, so move in there if you are tight on budget.
To get away from the downtown Chicago noise, you could consider renting an apartment somewhere in the North Side. Slightly farther away from downtown, the North Side is a bit quieter but slightly more expensive than other places in Chicago. The area has many of the posh neighborhoods in the city.

If you love suburban life, then consider seeking an apartment in the West Side of Chicago. The rents are often cheaper than somewhere else in Chicago. The West Side is not devoid of special attractions, like the Garfield Park Conservatory and National Museum of Mexican Art. If you follow the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks, they play at Madison Avenue.

Wherever you choose to stay in Chicago, look out for transportation access to important parts of the city. Most importantly, check out you neighborhood’s safety and security measures. Be cautious about the area you select. Learn as much as possible about the neighborhood before you move in.

Ask for referrals, or check listings in newspapers and local directories
If you happen to know someone, you can ask for information about affordable apartments for rent. They can provide you with names of landlords, real estate brokers, and their contact details. They can show you around the neighborhood if you like.

You can narrow your search by browsing apartment finders online (http://www.chicagoapartmentseekers.com/) or scanning the classified ads of newspapers for local listings of Chicago’s apartments for rent. These resources feature all available apartments or residential complexes. These listing are updated daily, so check up as soon as possible on the latest availability.

Searching for apartments in downtown Chicago can take time, especially if you are looking for a great place to stay. But the long search is worth if you move on to your dream home. Happy searching!