i've been lurking through the Chicago forum for a while now, researching information...but i'd figure i'd just come out and say hi at this point.

my wife and i are heading up to Chicago after pretty much our entire lives being spent in Florida. We both work in architecture and the firms we are looking at seem to be within one square mile of downtown (lower wacker drive).

we are trying to make our lifestyle as urban as possible and we'd prefer to rely on public transport, with a car only being a necessity.

is there any reality in finding a condo in a good area for the $200k-$300k range (1 bed, 1bed w/ den, or 2 bed)? not looking for luxury by any means, in fact ripping the place apart and installing a new kitchen, etc. would probably happen. the main thing is living in a vibrant neighborhood with late 20 early 30 somethings.

any job advice/ connections are also much appreciated.

thanks in advance for any advice...i'm sure i will be pestering you guys later...

...if it works out well, it looks like another old-school A4 guy may be heading to chicago. and buying another A4 (or A3, gotta keep my possibilities open) and ridding of the rwd.

 

what part of florida do you live in?...I spent 13 years in the Pompano Beach area

 

bucktown, wicker park can both be done for the 300s...200s can be tougher, but doable. alot of the stuff around here is redone, thus you already 'get' the new kitchen, granite, 42 cab, etc. and that brings the price up. But the condos in that price range have LOTS of buying/selling activity. You have passed the traditional busy time, there may be a deal to be had. Finding one that has good bones but without the extras is tougher, but can be done. wickerpark/bucktown is on the blue line, so you are a clear train ride into downtown. or the bus. or drive.

We are in wickerpark and it is a 2.2 mile each way drive.

lincoln park is a bit more $$$... and there also options on the north side...

 

Walking distance to everything you need.<ul><li><a href="http://www.westloop.org/">http://www.westloop.org/</a</li></ul>

 

grew up in Jacksonville, lived in Gainesville long enough for a Bachelors and Masters degree then moved to Tampa.

 

we have the best crack, yo!

 

from Florida (go Gators) there is several areas. I would say the best for that age range and activity is anything around the Armitage corridor west of 90/94 and Wicker Park/Bucktown area which is basically anything near the intersection of North Ave, and Damen. That stretch is pretty good between Division on the south, Armitage on the north, from the Interstate west to Western. Lots of younger people and places to go out etc. If you are wanting to be close as possible downtown but would like a quieter, i.e. not alot to do right around it but really nice area with easy access to transportation the south loop (south of grant park between prairie ave on the east and state street south to Cullerton Ave or 2000 south). I lived down there for 8 years with my wife. I am now in the west loop which is bounded by Halsted on the east, 290 on the south, and Fulton Market on the North. Both areas have affordable units in that range. There is actually plenty of condo's in that range pretty much downtown in River North and Old Town area. That is anything north of the river, west of state street, east of the interstate again and south of North Ave. Check out listings in the Chicago Reader, so far for people I know that has been the best resource for finding things.
They have listings on line and easy to search by area (zip codes and by map of the city). http://www.chicagoreader.com/
Also check out Craig's List for Chicago.

 

And who are you working for here...a plug...we are looking for people... did the full UF ride through Masters as well in Gainesville. We have a rather large Gator club here to watch games if you are so inclined at a place called Joe's, on Weed Steet.

 

newer kitchen, open floor plan, high rise building on the 5th floor with 24 hr doorman, rooftop pool with awesome views of the city and underground heated parking that you would have to purchse if you so desired (but not a requirement of purchasing the place) in an absolutely vibrant neighborhood - Streeterville, two blocks off of Michigan Avenue on Ontario, near bars, restaurants, nightlife, etc... unless you are looking for more of a sedate neighborhood, all for about $225,000. The only thing is, it needs a new bathroom. (By my standards anyway but I may not be the best judge of what's acceptable.) You could probably do that for about $2,500.

It's not huge but it is a great neighborhood and home values do nothing but appreciate there. I look at it as a nice starter place when you get tired of sinking your money into that bottomless pit known as renting. You also don't have to worry about walking outside your place after hours for fear of getting whacked over the head because it's considered an "up and coming" neighborhood, a fancy word for buy cheap in a $hithole neighborhood and hope for the best.

If you, or anyone is interested, let me know. It's not my place but my brother's. It's been empty for about a year other than when he crashes downtown after a long evening of drinking and doesn't want get back in his car. He lives in the suburbs now. He'll even throw in his S4 as part of the deal!

 

For $200-300K I would look at west loop, ukranian village, east village, logan square, tri-taylor. Bucktown/Wicker Park/Lincoln Park/Gold Coast will be a stretch if you want a 2BR, but a 1BR in that area should be within your price range.

Sorry to toss all these neighborhood names around - I remember moving to Chicago and being mystified for at least a year by all the names. If you want to buy a place right away, you should probably get in touch with a real estate agent. My fiance and I just bought a place in East Village, and I highly recommend my real estate agent - he's a fellow Audi enthusiast and damn good at his job. Fevin Reyes at Red Era (312-656-8284).

If you want to rent for a while and scope out the different neighborhoods, chicago.craigslist.org and www.chicagoreader.com have a lot of apartment listings.