Fifty Plus (50+) - OT Looking for advise on Chicago

I thought I'ld post here first where I'm more comfortable.

Our 19 yr. old daughter has just landed a position as a Summer
Intern at a Downtown (in the Loop) Chicago Architechural firm from
early June thru mid August. She's in school in Milwaukee and we are
Upstaters in New York. She needs a place to live this summer. She has
no car and no drivers license, so public transportation is an important
consideration. Money is tight but it is a paying position.

My question: we know the South side is not exactly the safest
place around....can anyone provide an idea of what area's are
safer than others? She will quite possibly choose to take one of
her bicycles with her (yes, like me she has many). Any info would be appreciated.

I can't offer much advice, but I will say she's going to have a blast. I had a contract a few years ago that took me to the loop in Chicago for seven months. It's a great place full of energy and diversity and really helps define Chicago, in my opinion. Plenty of public transportation, too. Good luck to her!

Check this link for CTA routes:

http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/systemmaps.html

I would recommend somewhere in the Northwest Side area, preferably north of Belmont and west of Central. The further north as west you get, the better. Cheaper than locations closer to the downtown area, less congested, and safe.

Check this link for CTA routes:

http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/systemmaps.html

I would recommend somewhere in the Northwest Side area, preferably north of Belmont and west of Central. The further north as west you get, the better. Cheaper than locations closer to the downtown area, less congested, and safe.

+1 I moved out of Chicago when I retired, but the closer you get to the loop the higher it's going to be. I mean a lot higher, so you're better off going to the NW suburbs where it's safer and cheaper and you'll still have public transportation. Every week-end they have something going on downtown and sometimes I wish I was back there. This past winter was pretty rough, but that's not the norm. Anyhow I think she'll like it and have a lot of fun.

I worked in downtown Chicago (1 South Wacker Dr.) for about three years (late '90's) We lived in St. Charles (far west suburbs), and I rode the West Line in each day. I drove to work one time, and that was enough to convince me that driving to work was insanity and that the train ride was the best deal going. Chicago has, in my opinion, excellent public transit. Geneva, St. Charles, and Batavia were, when we were there, safe. The ride in on the train from the Geneva station is 45 minutes to 1:15 depending on whether you catch an express or the milk run. For a totally southern boy, Chicago was an adventure and an eye-opener, but I'll have to say that the people there were, for the most part, pretty good folks.

I lived and worked in Chicago for 7 years (87-94). I loved it. Generally the North Side is going to be safer than the South Side. As you go North, things will get cheaper -- also, there has been lots of urban revitalization since I lived there and a lot of neighborhoods that were iffy when I lived there are now quite nice.

North of downtown, Lincoln Park is likely too expensive for a summer intern -- she should look at Wrigleyville, or Rogers Park.

Another option is to go all the way up to Evanston (where Northwestern University is). Lots of students leave for the summer so you might find a summer sublet from a student -- if I were you I'd have her check with the Northwestern housing office or student organization; probably a summer roommate program.

One advantage of Evanston is that she can get to the loop either via the CTA train (the El) or via the suburban commuter train, which passes through Evanston. At every el or train stop in Evanston there are apartments w/in walking distance of the train. Evanston is quite safe, and it gets her out of the city if she wants to do some bike riding on the weekend. Also, some pretty nice beaches, and a place to rent sailboats at the University.

Speaking of Northwestern, the Law School and Medical School for Northwestern are in the city -- maybe their housing offices would know of a student who needs a roommate for the summer?

BTW, Chicago in the summer is fantastic. Beaches, street festivals, etc. Great place to be!

You must have been in a different Evanston, that I know.

I lived in Evanston 7 years.

We lived in Mundelein, which is considered an Exurb (NxNW), for a couple of years about 30 years ago.

There was a train that went directly into the Loop. I was a professor at NorthEastern Illinois University, Bryn Mawr and St Louis, on the north side, just south of Niles, as I recall. I drove daily, because the train didn't go there.

Mundelein is a nice (and then quiet) town right next to its more expensive twin, Libertyville.

What it is like now, I haven't a clue.

I am on an Illinois listserv with lots of folks living in the NW area, and I would be pleased to post your request there, if you like.

One advantage of Evanston is that she can get to the loop either via the CTA train (the El) or via the suburban commuter train, which passes through Evanston. At every el or train stop in Evanston there are apartments w/in walking distance of the train. Evanston is quite safe, and it gets her out of the city if she wants to do some bike riding on the weekend.

Since you lived in Evanston ('94?) it's not quite as free from crime against students (or seniors); Evanston city and the campus itself have stepped up uniformed patrols in response. Check news reports for the past couple of years.
And not too cheap for housing, more costly than in Rogers Park (first Chicago neighborhood to the south of Evanston). Public transit is good. Sharing housing is a great option.

Evanston (and any neighborhood adjacent to the lakefront path, though it jogs away from the lake around Sheridan Rd. leaving Evanston south to Hollywood) is reasonably located to commute downtown by bike (about 30 to 45 minutes); if there are no facilities at the architectural firm downtown, the Millennium Park bike station is a good option (with locking bike rack, locker, shower available).

I am on an Illinois listserv with lots of folks living in the NW area, and I would be pleased to post your request there, if you like.

That would be great DnvrFox. The more info, the better. She hopes to deal with the
housing on her own but has asked me to "be at the ready" in case she needs a hand
finding a place. They do grow up quickly, don't they?

My older son lives in the Bucktown District (NW) and commutes downtown with hoards of other bikers. She won't be alone if she decides to commute. Good place for a SS bike.

I sent you a PM

I lived in Hinsdale, a western Suburb. I didn't work in the city, but many neighbors did. Hinsdale isn't cheap, but she may be able to find a boarding house situation or share rent with someone at a fairly reasonable rate. The Burlington train offers an excellent commute into the city. Hinsdale is a good, safe suburb about 20-25 miles from the loop. Bicycling in the area is possible, too.

Since you lived in Evanston ('94?) it's not quite as free from crime against students (or seniors); Evanston city and the campus itself have stepped up uniformed patrols in response. Check news reports for the past couple of years.

Sorry to hear that. I've been back to visit the NW campus (mainly recruiting) several times since I left and wasn't aware the crime was worse than it had been.