My daughter, a recent Michigan State grad, has accepted a job in Chicago and will be moving in the next few months. Looking for updated advice on the best/safest neighborhoods to live, areas to avoid and any tips for living in the greater Chicago area - transportation, groceries or any other salient tips you might have for a first time resident in the city. She'll be making a modest-to-decent salary, but plans on finding a roommate and renting somewhere. Any tips on locating roommates would help. She's traveled there a few times, both with us when she was young and on her own in college, but setting up there permanently is a little different. Any tips you may have would be appreciated!

My knowledge of Chicago neighborhoods is too old to be of use, but I would suggest that finding a place near a train or subway station -- near enough to walk -- would greatly simplify her life. As for roommates, I'm not sure how she would go about finding them, but new graduate students are often looking to share apartments ... there might be a way to check or post notices at, say, Loyola or Northwestern or the University of Chicago. I hope she enjoys living in Chicago as much as I did!

Go to city-data.com and search "Chicago" - you'll find a wealth of information, including data on transportation, housing, shopping, all the major residential neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs. demographics and much, much more. the info you find there will answer most, if not all of your questions and concerns plus give you insights to questions you haven't even thought of yet.

Congratulations to your daughter! What an exciting new adventure.

I was born and raised in Chicago and go up there several times a year. We have a married son in Lincoln Park and another son in the Gold Coast. I think being close to the lakefront, grocery stores and a good CTA stop and CTA bus lines would be important.

Many new graduates like River North and West Loop. Pluses: Exciting, fun bars and restaurants, friendly, newer buildings with amenities. Minuses: Noisy and less of a neighborhood feel, expensive.

Southport, Lakeview and Lincoln Park, Pluses: more neighborhood feel, more casual bars and restaurants, more grocery stores, a little less expensive. Minuses; Older buildings, smaller rooms, no elevators, sometimes no central air.

Logan Square, Wicker Park, Pluses: Most casual, more economical, more artsy residents, Minuses less access to transportation choices, far from lakefront.

I think what would be an important part of her decision would be her personality and what kind of neighborhood feel she would want. She might get in touch with the MSU alumni club in Chicago, maybe they could get her in touch with recent graduates who are looking for a roommate. DePaul is also a college in Lincoln Park that might have a roommate service, but all of these colleges are winding down for the year so offices will be closing up soon. She might have to slide into a sublet roommate opening for a few months and then she would have a chance to get her feet under her and assess all the neighborhoods in person. There is a Facebook page in Chicago for roommates, but I would be careful about pictures and too much personal information on that. Good Luck!

>> tips for living in the greater Chicago area

At this point I think the questions would be more about working at the specific location of her job. The living part comes next.

What are the transportation options for getting to/from work? (bus routes, subway, parking). What housing is nearby? Are there affordable short-term rentals (maybe a furnished efficiency wouldn't be too expensive for 1 to 3 months)? Are there ads for "roommates wanted" nearby?

Maybe HR at the employer can offer tips. Where did other relocating new hires land? Are any coworkers in need of a roommate (an HR person could send out an email)?

It is a matter of first meeting the needs that support employment.

I'm planning to relocate to a city I know somewhat, having lived 80 miles away & have spent time in but don't know from the perspective of living there. My plan is to rent a furnished studio apartment for several months, probably an Airbnb which often has good rates for long-term stays, & get to know the city better & what area might be best for me. Rather than make a decision on apartments or roommates when she arrives, I suggest she, too, find a temporary place. It certainly can't hurt.

I've no experience with Chicago have moved around a bit in my life as a single woman.

For me a priority would be being close to the job location. I'm thinking here in Seattle where I blew in with no plan decades ago... I've since had a good life by living nearby to where I worked. My max 'commute' over the years was about 10 miles one direction for a good job, sometimes only 3 miles when I was downtown. And I've always owned a car (probably not in the cards for her right off the bat or maybe never necessary). Understand the roommate thing, but for me I'd rather live in tiny place alone than try for the roommate thing which is by nature more complicated. If she meets people at work and settles in could maybe be cool to find a roommate.Obviously 100% personal opinion but if she's making even a minimal to decent salary why not find her own place?
best wishes, always, suze

I love the recommendations for a short term furnished rental to get there and get your feet wet. Even though that can get expensive.Then she can assess neighborhoods and not be committed to a neighborhood or roommates.Sometimes no roommate is ideal, but being new to town and needing to meet people makes roommates desirable, and the cost of covering all of the expenses on your own is tough on someone starting out.

Transportation to your job is huge,and public transportation to your neighborhood is important in general.
But, the new dynamic is: are you in the office 5 days a week, totally remote, or some sort of hybrid? That all factors into the personality of your neighborhood being important in your ability to make friends.

Start checking into the intramural sports sites that meet in the Lincoln Park venues if that is interesting to you. Beach volleyball, running groups, kickball, softball, etc. Both of my boys have made lifelong friends and it is active and friendly.

Some additional thoughts:

Although it's generally more expensive to live near the lake shore (within a mile), the "lake effect" moderates the weather -- warmer in winter, cooler in summer. Worth considering if transportation, neighborhood attributes, and costs work!

On average, there aren't TOO many days in Chicago with unbearable heat, but there are some -- and the number has been increasing. As a result, AC would be an advantage.

Winters can be brutal. Public transportation generally keeps running. Major roads are typically cleared relatively quickly. Side roads can take a while. Relying on a car for transportation to work or to grocery stores or whatever can be complicated and parking can be a pain during those times.

And it's a simple thing to do, less to think about before & right after arrival. And from my searches not necessarily expensive. Some are, but some aren't.

I strongly advise against having a car. My youngest doesn't have one and doesn't want one. My oldest only has a car because his wife had one when she she lived in a different part of the city and worked in the suburbs. He lived in the city for a decade without a car. They live in Lincoln Park where a yearly neighborhood parking sticker is $100. The CTA unlimited ride pass is $75! Apartment parking can easily be $200 a month, and city car insurance is expensive, so to avoid that is like getting a raise! Ubers are easily available so even using that for those late nights or bad weather outings, your transportation costs are still very manageable.

I think AC is very important. You definitely get a 3 day stretch of 100 degrees once or twice a summer, and even with lower temperatures, the humidity can be high. And keeping your windows open with city noise can be unpleasant. Most places without central air offer window units, but make sure that is the case with whatever apartment you rent.

I am so biased, but to be near the lakefront is so delightful. With the park, the beaches, the 22 mile bike path, the Lincoln Park Farmer's market, the young energy and the friendliness, it is something special. But everyone has their own preferences and priorities, it is a fun journey.

I live in a city. I moved here (Seattle) for no reason and without a job when I was much younger. I've never had air conditioning. I have always had a car

Chicago and Seattle are both cities, but they are VERY different cities in VERY different climates.

Your daughter was me from MSU 40 years ago. I still live in the city too. There are a wide range of wonderful neighborhoods. All of the above from others is true. I think a key is exactly where she is working. People commute downtown and also reverse commute to suburbs. One other idea is if she is coming early this summer to consider looking at college and grad school bulletin boards (real or online) for a summer sublet as a temporary choice from a student who is away at a summer internship or such. Best to you and to her!

Chicago and Seattle are both cities, but they are VERY different cities in VERY different climates.

Well of course, no kidding, I know the weather is different. What seemed similar to me is I drove my car out to the west coast with very little plans and found a cheap apartment, then found a job, and never looked back.

@ suze: I must admit that I didn't understand your message. It's good that you clarified!

This is from a young friend in her 20s so it's pretty recent. I'm waiting to hear from another pal who is older:

" I loved living in Edgewater/Andersonville area, but it’s on the northern edge of the city and can be kind of out of the way. This was also a few years ago so prices might have changed, but it was affordable for me and 2 roommates at the time. I also lived near Logan Park and Humboldt Park, which were both lovely.
I rode my bike as my main form of transportation, just always wear a helmet, use lights, and a U-lock or chain lock. Public transportation is a great option as well, trains and buses are pretty reliable and you can always use your phone to look up when the next one arrives.
Besides that, I think the same tips apply for anywhere new. Just stay aware of your surroundings, if you rely on your phone for directions make sure it is charged, all those things. Chicago gets a bad rep, but it’s just like any other place with millions of people."

I've lived in Lincoln Park for nearly 25 years. But my first apartment, when I was learning the city, was in Streeterville behind the John Hancock. Then up at Irving Park and Paulina, near the brown line.) O/A recommendations: walkable to grocery stores (Jewel/Osco, Mariano's, Trader Joe's), using bus lines primarily, or brown line CTA train. Relying solely on red line train would not be pleasant for me. This red line train becomes a subway downtown, and a young woman will feel less secure on the red line. Brown Line is always an elevated train, and feels much nicer.

My recommendation: For a young woman, assuming her job is in Loop/River North, I'd look at these safe and convenient, young professional neighborhoods...

1. Lakeview/north Lincoln Park, and rely on the buses (along Sheridan Rd/Clark Street/Broadway Ave.) On a map, ideal borders are North: Addison (3600 N.), West: Clark Street, East is the lake/Lincoln Park, South: Fullerton.
   • The border could extend west past Clark to link up to the brown line stations at Wellington, Diversey, Fullerton
2. Southport corridor (little rental inventory), but near the Southport brown line, the Jewel Osco, and the cute shops on Southport. Would be hard to find something near there that's inexpensive.

Wicker Park is an interesting neighborhood, but reliant on blue line, which is also a subway downtown. I wouldn't want to take it every day. Or, she could do an expensive rental in River North, Streeterville, Gold Coast, West Loop to learn the city. But IMO, these will not be where she wants to settle after a year. And she should NOT get a dog until she learns the city and places where she can walk it. (And, of course, a dog is a huge expense and responsibility when one doesn't have a support system near at hand to dog-sit.)

So, generally, this map outline below is where I'd start--though rents may push her further south/west. Post back for other ideas. As to areas to avoid, there are several, so post back if uncertain. As to finding a roommate, I can't help there. Hopefully her alumni association will give her ideas.

Best of luck in her search!

The check-mark areas would be where I might drop a pin, and search in a widening circle around those. Especially around the Clark X Diversey, the Mariano's on Broadway, or the area nearish the Diversey brown line station.

ChigoGal, that is a great reply! My other young friend just replied:

"I'd recommend prioritizing three things: public transit, groceries and hobbies! It's really nice to be close to a train line, especially one that takes you directly to work without having to transfer. I love Aldis in Chicago but as a midwesterner she will know about those. It is nice to be able to walk to the grocery store or at least have one close enough that it is not a huge chore to make a run. Whatever she likes to do, make sure there is something within walking distance! If she likes yoga, pottery, seeing live music at the bar, etc. make sure she lives near something. Living in a big city can feel incredibly isolating if you feel trapped in your apartment not knowing where to go or what to do.

There are lots of neighborhoods, it will probably come down to price and what is available. Join some facebook roommate/ renter groups, people in chicago love using fb groups and marketplace.
Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Gold Coast, West Loop - nice and more expensive
Bucktown, Logan Square, Lake View, Edgewater, Rogers Park - also nice and likely have more affordable options

I would recommend avoiding the far west and south sides, NOT out of safety but out of courtesy. Avoid moving into a neighborhood that you do not culturally align with because it can be harmful to the neighbors and isolating for you. I have friends from all kinds of neighborhoods around the city and I can say that there are good and bad people everywhere, just find a place where you fit in. That will become apparent through conversations with potential roommates and scouring google maps for businesses in the area around an apartment. I'd only list two neighborhoods as totally "unsafe" being Austin and Engelwood. Living in a city takes some street sense. Even the ritzy neighborhoods experience muggings at night, if not at a higher rate. Get your bearings, be nice to people, don't walk around alone at night in an area you don't know. And take the news about Chicago being an extremely violent city with a grain of salt. Crime rates are down, in most cases you won't be met with violence if you're not seeking it out.

The piece of advice I would give out of personal opinion is this- avoid property companies, especially in neighborhoods that are being actively gentrified. Be wary of very affordable rent from large property companies like Compass or Vision and others because your cheap rent will likely contribute to families being pushed out of their homes."

I grew up in the Edgewater/Andersonville area! It is a serene area, more economical, fun shops and restaurants on Clark Street, but definitely a longer commute into the Loop. I would not look east of Broadway.

Being near a good train line, Red or Brown is important to get into work and also for snowy days when the streets are clogged and buses are slow. But I would not go on the Red line in off hours. I prefer buses where you have a driver monitoring any problems.

TDudette, great advice!

ChgoGal, great map and advice! My son lives at your southernmost check and he also has a small Target, a Trader Joes and a Fresh Market right there. My other son lives south of your map. He is just north of Division, near the lake and has a Jewel grocery store nearby. DH and I have a condo in Lincoln Park and love It! We are overlooking the Lincoln Park zoo and have that fabulous farmers's market nearby. We do not have a major grocery store very close, so that is a challenge but there are some convenience stores n the area to tide us over.