Living in Chicago - Frequently Asked Questions
When you're searching for spots to live in Chicago, your choices are endless! Especially for those of us looking for apartments in downtown Chicago because we want to be close to work!
With more than seventy neighborhoods all with their own interesting personality, you will find the right place for you and your lifestyle, we promise!
Do you want to live in the affluent area of the Gold Coast? Or possibly overspend on a fancy night out in River North? Are you looking for an artist collective to help you with creating an expressive community? Or looking for nights of stand-up comedy every day of the week?
Whatever your interests, there is a home for you in Chicago. Lakeview is a lively area located right on the lake and has fairly reasonable prices for properties for those looking for downtown Chicago apartments under $1000.
London park is also another top pick, as it is one of the oldest areas in Chicago with a beautiful history and culture! It also has reasonable prices for condos for rent in downtown Chicago.
The West Loop and Logan Square are a few other areas with great value and spirit for those looking to work downtown and live nearby! Whatever your interest Chicago has a beautiful neighborhood for you to enjoy!
Chicago keeps on being a famous destination within the US, particularly in the Midwest. Home to more than 2.7 million individuals, inhabitants of the Windy City love the transcending high rises, Chicago-style pizza, and the different parks including Grant and Millennium Park.
Renting apartments in downtown Chicago can be reasonable or very expensive. It really depends on the part of town where you are living and what you are after!
We decided to do some research to learn more about the cost to live downtown in Chicago.
Home prices have increased about 10% in the last year with a price per square good downtown being about $243. Renting downtown is another option. You can rent a 2 bedroom apartment in downtown Chicago for an average of $2,500 per month.
Utilities are another important consideration. You will be looking to spend around $40 on internet and $121 on water, electricity, and garbage costs. Keep in mind that Chicago is not one of the top 10 most expensive cities in the US and offers lots of great value, no matter what you are looking for!
When we speak of efficiency rentals in Chicago (or ‘kitchenette apartments for rent in Chicago’) we are talking about a new category of renting. An efficiency apartment can be ideal for those with minimum possessions, looking for a minimalist lifestyle, perhaps with lots of travel and adventures, and with a small home base.
Efficiency rentals are typically more affordable than studios, and slightly smaller. With a streamlined and compressed approach to living space, kitchen size, and layout.
An efficiency loft is a good choice for those who need just a little living space where you can live alone. If you intend to move in with a flatmate or a partner, a studio apartment for rent may be a better decision. In any case, neither of these kinds of lofts have a lot of areas or extra room. Consider scaling down your assets before you move into an efficiency rental in Chicago.
Over the last decade, we have seen an increase in new apartment types. These new types of apartments are a response to the market demand for varied homes for digital Nomads, minimalists who have few possessions. Besidest that, compulsive travelers or professionals who travel often for work and need a small home base are also the perfect demographic for these new apartment types.
The most common of these new and minimalist apartment types is the efficiency apartment. We took some time to look into efficiency rentals in Chicago and have found that, in general, these apartments are slightly smaller than studios for rent, have a more streamlined layout, and have less storage space.
They are ideal for Adventures Nomads and minimalists. While there are many cheap studio apartments for rent, these efficiency apartments are even more competitively priced and often a good fit for students. Happy hunting and keep in mind; the best apartment is one that matches your lifestyle choices and momentum!
In terms of condo insurance, whether you are looking for a condo in the suburbs or the best apartments in the South Loop of Chicago, you should expect condo insurance to start around $400-500 per year, for a one-bedroom unit. Depending on how much protection for interior items (jewelry, appliances, etc) and the overall value of your property, the annual price can be more. It’s all about reading the fine print and knowing what you need!
Condo insurance (aka H0-6 policy) covers your condo unit above and beyond where your condo association insurance stops. Your association usually insures the physical structure/building and other common areas.
However, condo owners are generally responsible for the interior of their units. Things like your floors, walls, cabinets, and fixtures that your association’s insurance likely doesn’t cover.
Getting a copy of those by-laws is a good idea so you can understand what your responsibilities are in the event of a claim. We can help you understand the fine print!
Whether you are looking to rent South Loop apartments under $1,500 or you want to find even more affordable South Loop apartments, there are a few techniques that we recommend to stand out from the rest.
For one thing, we always recommend getting a bike or walking around your desired neighborhoods and looking for signs for rent. Now, this may seem like a time-consuming process, but remember… you want to walk around the neighborhood that you want to live in to see what it's like! Moreover, sometimes locals first put up signs for rent in their neighborhood physically before resorting to online advertising in an attempt to preserve a Community feeling.
Of course, once you know your neighborhood and know the criteria (1 bedroom, or maybe a South Loop apartment under $,1000), you can go online and check out apartment rental listing websites and search for your specific criteria! Happy hunting!
First off what is rent control?
Many major U.S. urban communities have rent control—which means that neighborhood laws restrict property owners from bringing the lease-up in specific units. Chicago doesn't have any lease control or lease adjustment law. In Chicago, a property manager can raise the rent given that they provide notification ahead of time - landowners should give in any event 120 days notice to leaseholders.
In contrast to many metropolitan regions in the United States, apartments in Chicago aren't liable to lease control. This means that the rent for an apartment for rent by an owner in Chicago can change as the market directs. In some areas, rising rents can quickly be pushing out long-term inhabitants and families. In regions including Logan Square, Uptown, Rogers Park, residents, and community activists have been organizing for change, and with progress: a gathering called "Lift the Ban" gathered enough steam to get a non-binding referendum about local rent control on the November 6, 2018 ballot in three wards, and the majority of voters who saw the issue on the ballot endorsed the idea of rent control.
With that said, remember that Chicago is still a very liveable city and has fairly low living expenses and rent compared to the top 10 cities in the US! So check out the rental listings in Chicago and happy hunting!
So, what is renting like in Chicago? It is no secret that the city is a beacon of development and culture in the United States. However, large metropolitan cities such as Chicago, one of the largest and most populated in the nation, life in this fast-paced city may not appeal to everyone as an option for residence. With much to consider, let us review some of the pros and cons of living in Chicago rentals.
Reasons to Live in Chicago
First off, the city of Chicago has a good public transit system and makes getting around easy for its millions of residents.
Culture is lively as ever in the city. Chicago is famously one of the best sports hotspots in the nation. Featured teams include baseball's Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, basketball’s Chicago Bulls, hockey’s Chicago Blackhawks, and football’s Chicago Bears. Home to teams in every major North American professional league, there is plenty in to cheer about when renting in Chicago.
Chicago is a large metropolis and made famous for its deep dish pizza, unique downtown architecture, sparking waterways that flow through the city and global center for finance and international commerce, those wanting a rich cultural scene with plenty of bars, pubs, and restaurants for all occasions are likely to enjoy living in Chicago.
Reasons Not to Live in Chicago
Living in Chicago is expensive. While residents enjoy a high quality of life, prepare yourself to pay top dollar when in the city. Unlike in other cities, groceries and restaurants are taxed. Property taxes are also notoriously high making homeownership a challenge for many wanting to set roots in the city. Remember that all the landlord’s costs will ultimately be reflected in the rent. At the end of the day, the tenants are the ones that have to pay these costs if they want to live in this city.
Aptly named the "Windy City", Chicago is known for some rather extreme conditions. However, residents get to enjoy all four seasons when living in Chicago. From hot summer days to snow filed streets in the winter, residents in Chicago experience it all.
So, is it worth it moving to Chicago? It all depends on your own preferences and living standards. The Chicago lifestyle may take some adjusting to but with the right place and the right attitude you can make it work.
What is it like to live in West Chicago? Before you sign on the dotted line for your new condo or apartment for rent in West Chicago, do some research into West Chicago and get to know the ups and downs of living in this neighbourhood by reading these pros and cons of living in West Chicago.
The Pros
Living in West Chicago gives you access to many educational and interesting exhibits many of which are within walking distance. Great examples include the museums and exhibits in the area like the Art Institute of Chicago, an interactive Museum of Science and Industry, an aquarium, a history museum, and a planetarium all right here in your backyard. For those on the move, O'Hare International Airport is nearby and your easy and convenient access will make reaching travel destinations for both business and pleasure that much easier.
The Cons
However, there are always reasons that make other shy away from living in West Chicago. The crime rates, for example, are worth mentioning. They city’s aggressive and every present media have cast Chicago, including some rather notable figures like Al Capone (among others), in a less than favorable light. Also known for its four distinct seasons, if you struggle with the cold and snow, you may want to think again about moving to the Windy City.
Moving to Chicago is a choice that people constantly make. For those that want culture, architecture, sports, and food at their fingertips, life in Chicago has it all. However, large cities are not for everyone. The fast pace of life and many people on the streets can be a lot to handle. Best you do your homework before deciding if renting in West Chicago is right for you.
Yes, Chicago is a safe place to live, even though it has been viewed as a dangerous city since the 1960s. In recent years, Chicago has wrongfully been considered the murder capital of the United States. In 2019, Chicago had a lower homicide rate than 27 other US cities with 100,000+ residents, including Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.. Notwithstanding the city's push to battle wrongdoings, public safety keeps on being the top #1 worry of numerous inhabitants in Chicago.
We decided to look into this further to get a better idea of how safe Chicago is and if it would be a good consideration when looking for houses for rent in the USA. It turns out most of the violence in Chicago in based on male-on-male aggravated assault and in fact is isolated in a few areas of town. Besides that, the crime rate decreased by 7.07% in 2019 compared to 2018.
Some of the safest neighborhoods include Edison Park, Forest Glen, Norwood Park, and Lake View. Being level-headed and avoiding going to bad areas at night means that a house for rent in Chicago, USA is still very safe and comparable to other North American cities! Happy apartment hunting!
A duplex is one structure with two units that are either stacked upward or one next to the other. They may be listed as "multi-family structures," as they offer space for more than one family. A duplex will have separate entrances for every unit, and some of the time they have separate carports and outside spaces, as well.
In certain cities, as New York or Chicago, when searching for a “duplex for rent near me” or a 3 bedroom duplex for rent, for example, you may stumble upon a single unit in a multi-family building that’s spread across two floors in a building. These are also known as “maisonettes.”
An apartment is a multi-family structure with a few units (now and then hundreds) leased to occupants. All units are inhabited by individuals or a family. Additionally, because units in duplexes and town homes can also be rented out, sometimes they can be referred to as apartments as well. So be careful and always check the listing twice when searching for a duplex rental in Chicago or apartments for rent in Chicago.
When it comes to Duplex Rental in Chicago many renters ask about safety and the difference in neighborhoods in Chicago.
Some of the safest neighbourhoods to find luxury townhomes for rent in Chciago include Edison Park, Forest Glen, Norwood Park, and Lake View. If one is level-headed and avoids bad neighborhoods at night Chicago is comparable to other North American cities in terms of safety and violence.
Chicago is a lively city with a varied offering of burrows both historic and cultural!
Hyde Perk is the site of the 1893 World Fair and features houses designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This area is great if you’re looking for townhomes for rent on the southside.
Pilsen is a Mexican-American community with a rich history of artist adorned institutions and murals as well as the Museum of Mexican Art.
While West Loop is a foodie paradise. A hotspot for the French Market as well as famous upscale bars and restaurants.
Apartment hunting can be a stressful task for a lot of reasons, from the pressing and looming end of your present occupancy to the inclination that you'll never track down that ideal spot that can offer the blessed trinity of peace, quality, and a good area.
What's more, you'll need to get familiar with an entirely different language in the event that you need to disentangle the unlimited postings promising “half-baths” and “hard lofts”, “brownstones” and “bungalows”.
Of the many different varieties of apartments, two of the easiest to confuse and most often interchanged are studios for rent and one-bedrooms for rent. So what’s the difference? Read on and let’s help you find a studio rental in Chicago!
The studio loft is a solitary room with a joined washroom. This single room fills in as the living room, kitchen, feasting, and a lounge. In contrast, a 1-bedroom apartment is a unit with a separate bedroom, a kitchen, a lounge, and a washroom. In certain instances the 1-room condos have a balcony or terrace; this is rarer for studios generally.
Chicago might be the third most populated city in the U.S.; however with regards to the greatest expense of living, it doesn't break the Top 10, as per new surveys.
Chicago came in at No. 15 on the list of most costly urban communities, with normal month-to-month costs of $2,495. That is somewhat more affordable than Miami (No. 14, $2,513) and pricier than Santa Ana, California (No. 16, $2,389) and Portland, Oregon (No. 17 $2,326).
So to that end, Chicago is outside the top 10 most expensive cities in the US. Rest assured you will be able to find a cheap studio for rent in Chicago!
Based on data from Turbotenant, the average rent for a two-bedroom listing is down $280 for April 2021 year-over-year. So far, decreases year-over-year have been reported for all of 2021 already.
This means other unit types, including a studio rental in Chicago are still pretty affordable compared to the top 15 cities in the US. A 500-600 sq foot property will run around 1400 US.
If you are looking to find studio apartments in the Chicago northside or studio apartments in the Chicago south side, you are guaranteed to find a good price!
Lincoln park is safe and in general below the national average of crime rates in the US. The neighborhood is vibrant and historic, so let’s learn more about the area and Chicago, Illinois apartments in Lincoln Park.
Situated along the bank of Lake Michigan, Lincoln Park is a large area blessed with lavish houses, bountiful greenery, and a rich recorded history. The area flawlessly joins modern buildings with old heritage and tourist spots like churches and landmarks. Besides all of that, you are guaranteed to find high-rise apartments for rent in Lincoln Park Chicago.
You can go through the day checking out top of the line retail locations and special design stores, or get something to eat at one of the many fulfilling feasting choices accessible. Dance the night away at many of the exuberant bars, clubs, and bars that spread widely across these vibrant and historic neighborhoods. All in all, this is a safe and great place to call home, and finding apartments in Lincoln Park starts here! Come to Lincoln Park and learn why residents love the area!
Lincoln Park is one of the most wealthy areas in Chicago. While it might be difficult to find Lincoln Park apartments under $1,000, finding Lincoln Park luxury apartments should not pose any challenges!
Chicago is the 3rd most populated city in the US and keeping in mind the following list when looking for apartments for rent in Chicago will make guarantee you have a smooth and successful housing hunt!
Check some of the following:
- 1. The cell phone reception
- 2. Check the water pressure and temperature in the unit
- 3. Make sure there are no pests – look inside cabinets and check the walls and baseboards.
- 4. Visit the apartment at night to get a feel for the area.
- 5. Check the power outlets and electrical work
- 6. Speak to neighbors if possible
- 7. Test the appliances
- 8. Carefully review the lease – learn about your rights and responsibilities!
In addition to this list, the neighborhood must match your needs whether it is for peace and serenity, being close to work and limiting communing time, or being a vibrant hub of nightlife and fashion. We suggest looking closely at neighborhoods to determine the best fit, for example, if one is looking for a vibrant nightlife while also being close to historic monuments then look for Chicago Il. Apartments in Lincoln Park!