Lincoln Park, Lakeville, Wrigleyville are popular with young adults.

Hi, elly.
Can't help on apartment-finding services, as I've not used one in over a decade, but a look at yelp chicago should help in that regard.

For someone new to Chicago, I think renting in these parameters would be good: between 300 south and 3600 north, and from the lake to about 800-900 west.

A house that is near frequent bus service, or the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority subway/elevated trains) is important.

I think the area around my home is quite convenient and pleasant in terms of commute, grocery/drug stores, entertainment and public parks, and there are several multi-unit buildings about. This would be Lincoln Park, between 2400-2800 north and west to about Halsted.

Just as HappyTrvlr wrote above: those are the three neighborhoods I'd suggest.

As a single woman, she may want to avoid Rogers Park, Uptown, Ukrainian Village, West Loop, Near South, any area south of 1300 south, or too far west, at least until she knows the city better.

Bucktown and Wicker Park are well-liked neighborhoods, too, off the blue line train line, but I spend less time there. They are a bit more alternative & young for me.

There's a lovely area right around the Southport Brown line stop on southport, but this would be somewhat-west Wrigleyville, and rents might be high.

North Center is a neighborhood near the Irving Park brown line stop, and may offer larger rental units and easier parking if she has a car.

I'm sure there's many who can offer more advice, especially if you can provide a bit of info about her. Is she going to school or will she be working downtown? Does she have a dog? Will she have a car? Will she want a health club nearby, or access to the lake/parks for exercise or bike rides?

Good luck with her search!

Love the Chicago number grid!

Look at domu.com, trulia.com,and urbanrealestate.com

I realize that she may have moved here already, but the nicest neighborhoods for single woman are Lincoln Park, Streeterville, East Lakeview, and the Gold Coast.

But crime occurs in any neighborhood. She may want to check out everyblock.com to keep on crime/events/etc. in her new neighborhood.

The upper floors of the HI Hostel on Congress are used by college students as dorm rooms. While looking for longer term lodging the HI Hostel would be good. http://www.hihostels.com/