Comments | chitown_mamas: Ahem... new here.

bettyboot in chitown_mamas

Ahem... new here.

Jan 12, 2009 19:30

The hubs and I got the news today that we are likely moving to the Chicago area in February. Hubs will be working in Hammond, IN. I will be starting classes at a local public university in the fall. Any suggestions on areas where I should be looking for housing (for rent or sale)? We're a family of 3 with a four year old, and another coming in ( Read more... )

Comments 14

ilwitchgrrl January 13 2009, 02:29:03 UTC

Hello and welcome! You're moving from New Orleans? My favorite city! Though I love Chicago too, I must admit :)

I live in Lansing IL, which is a south suburb that's maybe five minutes from Hammond. So I am well acquainted with this area. Which local univ are you going to be at? Also, do you want to live in the south suburbs or would you prefer to live in Chicago proper and commute south? Will you be driving or taking public transportation?

Let me know what your ideals are in those areas and I will happily give you some recommendations!

bettyboot January 13 2009, 03:02:37 UTC

This transfer was sprung on us today; so as of right now, I have no idea which university. I'm in my junior year as a business major/Spanish minor. I still have to drop classes here! Any recommendations are welcome, though I was thinking the University of Illinois at Chicago providing that I can get in before the fall semester.

So far we've been looking at the western parts of Hammond, Hyde Park and other locales along the lakefront, and Calumet City inland. I've only even been to Chicago once, however, and only for a day, so I know nothing about which neighborhoods are safe, easily accessible, walkable, zoned for good schools (or with good charter schools within a reasonable commute). I'm kind of flummoxed as to where to start! Any info you can give is a little more knowledge and greatly appreciated.

ilwitchgrrl January 13 2009, 05:36:00 UTC

I would suggest you NOT look to live in Hammond or Calumet City; a lot of shady areas there. Lansing (where I live) is OK, very close for your husband but possibly not so close for you, though there's a train that would take you really close to UIC. You'd have to drive to the station but it's about 15 minutes from here. I wouldn't recommend staying here past grade school though, unless you're going to do private schools...I myself am looking to leave within the next five years (and I grew up here ( ... )

bettyboot January 13 2009, 05:42:30 UTC

This is all extremely helpful. Thank you so much! South Shore or Evergreen Park any good?

Thread 10

gin121081 January 13 2009, 15:11:19 UTC

Welcome! I have a 2 year old and am due in June, too. Our family lives in Chicago on the south side, in the Pilsen neighborhood. It is safe and accessible to public ammenities, not to mention the cost of living here is amazingly cheap. We live one block from the pink line, have a park across the street, have street parking a plenty for our vehicles, are within 10 blocks of UIC medical campus. It takes 20 minutes to commute downtown on the EL. We also are within 5 minutes drive of I-55, which can lead you south out of the city. Although our particular block is not the safest in the city, many areas slightly east of us are wonderful, and family friendly!

gin121081 January 13 2009, 15:13:28 UTC

Oh, and we pay $950 a month for a three bedroom (2,000 sq ft) with heat included. There are also a lot of apartments with double lots, which serve as fenced in side-yards for the kids. We have one large enough to let our daughter play and grow our own produce in the summer.

bettyboot January 18 2009, 19:05:33 UTC

Who's your rental agent? For real. Cause that sounds pretty sweet for the six months before we attempt to enter the world of home ownership.

bettyboot January 18 2009, 19:03:20 UTC

Hey, my narrowed search has gotten me down to Pilsen, Bridgeport, McKinley and then the circle avoiding Englewood down as far south as Oaklawn and Evergreen Park. Once I'm actually there I'm sure I'll be posting more trying to find indoor activities and such around whichever 'hood we land in. Fifty-five degrees is chilly for us, I think we're gonna die from cold.