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How are the living expenses at Chicago?

Living expenses in Chicago and recommended places to rent apt?

  • I'm a graduating student and have just got my first job in Chicago. I don't know anyone and neither do I have any idea about the living expenses there. I'll have an annual income around 70k and that will be my total budget. I'm alone with no financial burden yet. I'm looking for renting a small apt in a safe neighborhood. Any suggestion of where to rent and how much should I pay? My company is close to the western forest park metro station. If it's possible to drive in Chicago I don't mind to live a little far away. So I'm also wondering based on the living cost of the city should I buy a car or can I afford it in Chicago? (considering $25k maximum price with 24 months loan, plus expenses like insurance and parking) Thanks a lot!

  • Answer:

    I live in Chicago & let me tell you, it's EXPENSIVE to live here. Gas, rent, sales tax, property tax. . . Anything you can think of we have it more expensive in Chicago. A gallon of milk is about 4 dollars. I'm actually trying to move out the city. A one bedroom apartment averages $750.00 . . .all I can say is think twice. I'm a natural born Chicagoan, I love this city but it's so expensive. You can get tickets for just about everything. I suggest using public transportation. CTA can get you any where in the city. Trains & buses. It'll be a lot cheaper than a car. You can buy a bus card for 5.75 it gets you unlimited bus & train rides for 24 hrs which is good considering had is just about 5$ a gal. Good luck.

Priscill... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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First of all congrats on your new job in Chicago!!! With the job market these days I had a lot of friends that had to move home to the suburbs after college, so it's great that you found a job. I moved to Chicago from NYC a couple months ago and love it here!! In terms of rent it is a lot lower than living in Manhattan (I use to live in the East Village.) An apartment can range anywhere from $1000 and go as high as $3,000 depending on the area you live in. I live in Lincoln Park right now, which is a really nice/safe area, personally I love it. You definitely don't NEED a car in Chicago, public transportation here is really really convenient, but if you plan to live further out, you'd want to consider it. The cost of living further out would be less, so you could definitely afford the car payment, but since you're a graduating student and new young professional, I'd recommend living in a prime area. These guys helped me find my apartment a couple months ago and were really helpful, (at no charge.) Personally Id look into Lincoln Park, River North, or Wicker Park! Also check out the link below in regards to Chicago neighborhoods. www.chicagorentfinders.com http://www.chicagorentfinders.com/neighborhoods.html You can start your apartment search directly on the site below based on your requirements (1bR, 2bR, etc.) http://www.chicagorentfinders.com/search.html

Sarah

don't get a car, you don't need one if you have access to the Metra or CTA. Get an apartment in Oak Park, its safe enough and relatively cheap

Joe

I don t live in Chicago but I went there recently. I loved it. I want to move there, so I asked this question online and some people suggested to rent an apartment on lakeview. It s safe and has a lot of young professionals. The rent for one bedroom will be around 1000 1500 a month, that s what they said. If you don t mind me asking, where did u find a job (u don t have to answer ;) it s just that it s really well paid and I would love to be paid that much to be able to move to a nice city like Chicago or San Francisco... Or at least in what field did u find your job? What do u do for a living? Thank u so much for letting me know. Good luck with ur new job and with new life in Chicago!

startthesunshine

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