Another thought, since you will be working south of the loop is the South Loop. There are a lot of apartment buildings between Roosevelt, 22nd, the lake and State Street. There is an L stop at Roosevelt and Wabash, as well as a gym and grocery store at that intersection. There are tons of busses that go up/down Michigan Avenue, Indiana and other N/S streets.

It is less expensive than the same distance north, and you have quick access to the lakefront. We live at 18th and Indiana and love the neighborhood - it's a great, diverse group of people down here. It is a bit light on restaurants, bars and shopping compared to Lincoln Park, Bucktown, etc. But we find that we have everything we need - and the lake is the seller for me.

The price range you stated is going to give you a lot of options in Chicago, depending on the neighborhood you end up in.

I'd also recommend checking out the Logan Square neighborhood, from Western Ave near North Ave all the way up toward Kimball & Diversey. There are 3 train stops on the Blue Line that would get you into the loop in about 20 minutes. The neighborhoods are more mixed income, diverse, variety of family, post-college, Yuppies, etc. and with that comes a variety of stores, restaurants, etc. Transportation is ample with buses that run 24 hours plus the blue line.

Printers' Row is in the south loop, but I don't know the price range of apartments there. Pilsen is another option for a neighborhood that is convenient, interesting, and affordable. Lincoln Square is fairly congested and doesn't seem quite as convenient as other neighborhoods for buses or driving.

You'll love Chicago!!

Thanks to all. Am finding some good places in my price range.

Keep those neighborhood suggestions comin'!

CB-
This is just my personal opinion, but I'd want to live closer to my work, esp. if you are in the South Loop. You could end up commuting for a long time-trains are a lot slower in Chicago than they are in NYC-and it snows...A LOT!! If you are 20-30 mins by train from your work that commute could turn into a longer one. That said, there are so many nice areas near where you will be working. The South Loop, Printers Row, where the last poster lives...are all very nice. So is the Gold Coast, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, etc.

I personally didn't care for the bus when I lived there. I lived at Barry and Broadway, which is near exiledprincess, and I found the area to be overcrowded and far from the train. Plus there was NO parking whatsoever for guests. The highlight was that it was very near the lake, which was nice. But just not enough for me, which is why I moved to Lincoln Park-so shoot me! I loved it!

<I'd also like to live in a part of the city that has some decent places to shop that I can easily walk to (ex. Trader Joe's or Whole Foods type supermarkets, chain drugstores like Walgreen's or CVS, bookstores or a branch of the city library) and maybe a couple of gyms or yoga/pilates studios in the vicinity.>

Guys, I read this as the key for which the OP is looking. A self-contained neighborhood with good access to public transportation.

You all know that while the South Loop (including Printer's Row) and some other neighborhoods mentioned are in the process of gentrifying, they just don't have the extent of the niceties (at least not yet) that portions of more gentrified neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park and Lakeview do.

Just so we are clear on this point: While Barry & Broadway is about 3/4 mile away from Hawthorne Place & Lake Shore Drive, this area is south of the area serviced by express busses. Remember that I told you about those folks who would walk to the Belmont bus stop because they didn't want to take the local busses? The blocks around Barry & Broadway is that area of which I was speaking. These folks could have just as easily walked to the Belmont 'L' station and taken one of the 'L' lines but chose the express busses instead for their various reasons.

The OP never answered the question on their work location, so it's really difficult to give any definitive answer. There could be a difference over a mile of distance, depending on where the OP needs to go, and a mile can take some time to get through as we all know.

One thing that I would do if I were the OP is definitely check on the crime statistics in the particular areas where they are considering to settle. There are several websites where you can do this. Don't get me wrong...All areas of Chicago have crime issues. Some just have more serious issues.

You are aware that there's a new Whole Foods on Roosevelt Road, right? Not to mention the Jewel right next to the El stop.

Sorry--I have friends who moved to the S. Loop in '94, and the area has REALLY gentrified.

If you were talking about Pilsen or Logan Square I'd agree (and since the OP mentioned the Gold Coast, I wouldn't necessarily recommend those areas, especially Pilsen which can be questionable). But the South Loop? Not so much.

I just wanted to chime in to wholeheartedly agree with exiledprincess about the neighborhood she recommends. My best friend lived there (at the end of Hawthorne Terrace) for a year, and actually prefers the express buses to the El. Treasure Island is a slightly upscale grocery store. A few blocks south (closer to Belmont) is great as well. Lots of shopping (ranging from cute home good stores to chains like Gap and Linens and Things.)

Lots of bars, coffee shops, diners, restaurants, etc too. Street parking in that area is possible but is a huge, huge pain. I'd definitely not have a car and instead use Zip Car or the like.

With your budget, there should be a lot of options!

Racy, with all due respect, I said that the South Loop (including Printer's Row) and other areas aren't as gentrified as Lincoln Park and Lakeview and don't have the extent of niceties. Do you disagree with that statement?

The OP stated that they want to *easily walk* to the grocery stores and other sites per their original inquiry.

If the OP was to live in the Printer's Row area of the South Loop, that would be about 1/2 mile more or less to get to the grocery store, wouldn't it? That's quite a walk during inclement weather in the winter.

I wish to remind others here that the CTA is experimenting with removing seats from some 'L' lines already because of increased ridership and much decreased revenues. Could be it's not going to be too long before ALL lines have similar situations. Commuting on them won't be quite so pleasant (as if it is now during the rush hour) if and when this occurs on all 'L' lines. And just think how it'd be for that 'L' experience with groceries in tow.

Exiled Princess: In response to your question about what neighborhood I will be working in, my new office will be close to McCormick Place, so it looks to me that I could take either a #3 bus, the Metra or the Red Line towards Chinatown/Cermak to get to work.

If you're working near McCormick Place, then the South Loop is as close as you can get. You would also be pretty close to the West Loop/Greektown and Little Italy -- all nice neighborhoods -- and have easy access to River North, Lincoln Park and Lakeview. You will have tons of options in your price range.

Don't know if you have already made the move ChicagoBound, but if you haven't--I think the South Loop is definitely the place you should look. We moved to Dearborn Park in the South Loop in 1979--that was when it was a little rough, but still a great neighborhood to live in. We moved back to the South Loop, Michigan Ave and Roosevelt Road, last year--and it now has everything you stated you need: a Jewel, Walgreens, Sam's Liquors and Target within a few blocks; a Whole Foods, Dominick's, Linen's & Things, etc within a few more blocks. An El stop at State & Roosevelt(Red, Orange & Brown Line), State Street and Michigan Ave bus lines. Lots of rentals on Michigan, Wabash, State, Dearborn, Clark Sts, etc. You could easily walk to your office from a lot of places in the South Loop, and there are enough restaurants around to keep you out of your kitchen regularly. And don't forget being able to walk to the lake, museums, Grant Park, ... Not too obvious that I am sold on the South Loop. Good luck with the move.

Hi, ChicagoBound, hopefully your apt. search is progressing. If you are interested, my apartment building is 1/2 block from a #3 bus stop and in a neighborhood that is exactly what you're looking for (restaurants, grocery, shops, no car needed) and within the price range - my building is fantastic and an excellent value. It's 20 stories and has a pool.

If you want more info, email me.

Bucktown is a nice area, it has good shopping, nice restaurants with outdoor cafes, theaters, gyms, and is relatively safe. There's is nice mixture of ethnicity, and variety of income brackets. Transportation is great from buses, metra, and taxis service, unfortunately parking can be a hassle but if you dont have a car its better.