Places to live in Chicago

Originally Posted by Farhan

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If eateries are a heavy priority, West Loop may not be it for you. I find the area seriously lacking when it comes to spots to go for a good, quick bite. Greektown's way overrated, for anyone planning to counter with it.
Really? West Loop has some great quick places. The girl and the goat for one.

Originally Posted by mharwitt

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why don't you shoot some of them to help it get back to the old ways you miss so dearly?

my grandma says the same thing about williamsburg, but without the anger.

Not that I miss the old violent ways, not at all.
But East Pilsen used to be much more rich with Hispanic culture before.
Since the 1960's, when my grandparents migrated here.
Now it has turned into the new "hip hotspot", for some.

Originally Posted by Oski

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Now it has turned into the new "hip hotspot", for some.

It's called "Wicker park got too expensive"

Originally Posted by Dashaansafin

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^Thanks for the great info. I thought Streeterville/Rivernorth was close but I guess West Loop is closer? Eateries is not a big deal at all since I will be eating 80% of the time. What is rent like in West Loop vs Streeterville?


Have a gf so not looking for singles.


Thanks!

Streeterville is significantly further than the West Loop and rents are generally higher as well. Being right off the lake, Streeterville is also colder and a lot windier than the West Loop in the winter. Lastly, and this is a big deal for me, Streeterville is tourist-central, what with Michigan Ave. and Northwestern Memorial being in the heart of it. West Loop is very much a Chicagoan neighborhood, mostly devoid of non-city folk. Again, this can be interpreted differently based on tastes.

Streeterville is an area, not a neighborhood. It's the Chicago equivalent of living in Midtown Manhattan.

^Just Googled maped it and Streeterville is 1.5 miles from South Wacker, same distance as West Loop. The rent on Rent.com is about the same. I don't mind it being colder during the winter as I'll be inside. Is the view from Streeterville better? That would be my only "want", the view.

Originally Posted by Dashaansafin

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^Just Googled maped it and Streeterville is 1.5 miles from South Wacker, same distance as West Loop. The rent on Rent.com is about the same. I don't mind it being colder during the winter as I'll be inside. Is the view from Streeterville better? That would be my only "want", the view.

Yes.

Streeterville would give you highrises with lake views.

the real "West Loop" area is not really a high rise area (unless you are right next to the loop proper). Lots of shorter buildings...warehouse condo conversions and new construction imitations thereof.

You could also look at the cluster of buildings near the lake just south of the river (like the Harbor Point building and its neighbors) as well as buildings on michigan south of wacker. I work on south michigan and it has a great view...but I imagine it gets boring at night around here.

No comparison, views from Streeterville will be more spectacular than from West Loop.

It's not even degrees of spectacular-ness. West loop doesn't have any views unless you consider recently gentrified warehouses a view.

Also...don't discount singles activities


you *have* a girlfriend...I hate to be the one to break it to you but unlike your internship, your work doesn't end in august. By december, you are probably going to be wishing you lived near the things that singles like to do.

For ****'s sake, do not move to streeterville. I know you're going to work a lot of hours as a first year analyst, but the ability to walk to work should not be the deciding factor. Find a real neighborhood, and I guarantee your quality of life will be better.

Other neighborhoods that require you to take the L might actually be more convenient to the office. No train runs east of State Street so you'll either be walking, cabbing or bussing to work. You do not want a 20 minute walk in Chicago's winter.

Originally Posted by Dashaansafin

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I don't mind it being colder during the winter as I'll be inside.
We all know you're a first-year analyst working in the financial district (which, might I add, is completely irrelevant to our advice on where to live); we know you won't be living on the street. Unless you're completely sheltered from the cold (i.e. cabs door to door where ever you go), the temperature makes a difference. This is one of the most conceited comments I've read on styleforum.

How about my favorite old neighborhood, Uptown/bueno park? Fine living! hah just kidding-don't move there. It's just an area I like.

I really like the peacefulness of andersonville and befriended a few cool lesbians there. They have a fantastic small rental place and a delicious homestyle japanese kitchen there.

There are nice little houses for rent here and ravenswood area if you're looking for a condo alternative.

My younger, more cool friends love Lincoln park(yuppie), Wicker(seedy), and the Ukrainian village(artsy) area. I have lived in Wrigleyville too. It never quiets down there at night and frat boys are always fighting each other and leaving vomit all over the place. uhg... You'll soon be changing flats if you decide to live there.

It's a fine city. Wherever you live you'll find something you love about it.

I definitely agree with there being no real need to live within walking distance.

If you are working late...you are charging a cab home to the client right?

If you are near a morning express bus, you are set

The real Old Town (borders: North and Armitage, Wells and Sedgwick). Vintage buildings, trees, reasonable rents, near everything, safe.