<p>The good news is that they should be able to land good paying jobs. How much are two bedroom apartments in a decent area? What area is best for young people? What hospital system has the best reputation?</p>
<p>Are they looking to be downtown only? Have car or relying on public transit?</p>
<p>Oh yeah, sorry, should have added that they want downtown. The will have cars, but depending on where they work, cars could be more of a hindrance.</p>
<p>There are a lot of options and prices on the near South side of the city. The area is well-served by the “El” and has more and more good restaurants. Lower prices can be found in the neighborhoods near universities like Illinois Tech.</p>
<p>Illinois Tech looks like it’s quite a ways south. How about the area around Grant Park?</p>
<p>My dd loved living in Wicker Park. I think she was able to find a reasonable apartment there which she shared with 3 friends. It was a nice neighborhood and she could street park. She lives in Lakeview now which is also nice but she has a longer commute downtown. Many kids from our high school seem to live in Logan Square.</p>
<p>My S lives in the South Loop, near State and 8th. He shares a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo that is $1900 per month, not including parking. That’s another $175 per month, for indoor parking in the building. Great public transportation options, lots of bars and restaurants, and very near Grant Park.</p>
<p>Northwestern and Rush both have great hospital systems. University of Chicago Hospitals , too.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information. These guys might be a little shocked that it’s going to be triple what they’ve been paying for their current apartment, which is a dump, btw. I’m assuming the South Loop area is more expensive that Wicker Park or Logan Square, right?</p>
<p>^^^definitely.</p>
<p>Depending on where their jobs are, another alternative is to look around UIC, which is a mile or so west of the South Loop. My D shares a 2 bed, 1 bath apt there within 2 blocks of the Blue Line. It is $1460 per month. Just street parking, no dedicated lot. Lots of students, but some young professionals too. Much older building too.</p>
<p>A lot of young people live in Lincoln Park or River North, although River North is very pricey. There are also several large apartment buildings in Streeterville with a lot of young people right out of college as well as law and med students from Northwestern. My S just went through this search - he wanted to live in River North but concluded it was too much for his budget and he ended up in another downtown neighborhood. A car is going to be expensive to keep if they are downtown (my S just sent his car back home to us as a result).</p>
<p>My S lived here <a href=“https://canterburycourtapartments.com/index.asp[/url]”>https://canterburycourtapartments.com/index.asp</a> when he had an internship in Chicago the summer before last. The location was great (1200 N State, just a couple blocks from the lake) and the rent was reasonable (~$1300 for a furnished studio). The building was charming (ca.1928) and the bonus was the short term lease (no sublet required). It would give your kiddos time to scout the neighborhoods and figure out what they want.</p>
<p>For $1500 you should get a 2br 1 ba in Rogers Park or Northwest areas of city. On train lines too.</p>
<p>If they want to keep their cars, it makes sense to live a little further out where street parking is available or at least spaces are much cheaper. If they are within a couple of miles of the Loop in any direction, they will pay quite a premium for parking. Keeping two cars for one household is a big luxury in those neighborhoods.</p>
<p>Good point, Hanna.</p>
<p>The Northwest side (stay around the CTA blue line) has parking and more reasonable rents. Mayfair, Portage Park and Jefferson Park…two metra train lines here, and the confluence of two expressways. When comparing rents, make doubly sure what utilities are included because gas for heat is a big one, and not always included.</p>
<p>Warn them about the scam of renting an apartment that “seems too good to be true” and then finding out a deposit was given to a scam artist.</p>
<p>S has had apartments in the South Loop, Lincoln Park and Boystown with good success. One thing to look is included parking - he’s had to pay extra for a space. Public transportation is pretty good there, though.</p>
<p>S have had apartment in Bridgeport and rents a house in Jefferson Park for very reasonable amount. Jefferson Park is on the Blue Line but it is a very quiet residential neighborhood, unlike South Loop or Logan Square.</p>
<p>Yes Illinois Tech and Bridgeport are a bit south but there are two El lines that get you to South loop in 10 minutes or to North Michigan Avenue in less than 20 minutes. The Grant park area is very expensive compared to other places in the city.</p>
<p>D lives in Lakeview - beautiful four-bedroom in a 6-flat. She doesn’t have a car - just about everything is within walking distance or a quick ride on the el (she is about 3 blocks from the Belmont stop). At night, she takes a cab. Rent is about twice what she paid in Nashville, but that was pretty inexpensive, anyway.</p>
<p>D lives in Parkview, 2 blocks from Lake…very large 4 br/2ba flat in adorable brownstone with 3 others. $2800…she doesn’t have car; close to bus/El. Lots of young professionals/restaurants/stores…everything in walking distance…hoping she takes a cab at night.</p>