Explore Chicago's Neighborhoods

Bucktown/Wicker Park

Rich in culture and family-friendly in nature, Wicker Park has a certain independent quirkiness that makes the neighborhood a popular destination for many. Always buzzing, the area is action-packed and lively, never staying quiet for too long. Travel by foot at night is safe, and Damen and Milwaukee, the main thoroughfares of the neighborhood, are full of people walking and biking at all hours. Bucktown sits right next to trendy neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, but its more affordable rents make it a logical alternative for those wishing to live near downtown Chicago. Perfect for those looking for a trendy location with active nightlife and easy access to highways and public transportation.

Lake View

Lake View is a destination for locals and tourists from all walks of life. Encompassing a huge geographical area within the city, it is always buzzing with people and entertainment. Lake View is energetic, congested, alive, and just plain fun. There is no small-town feel to this neighborhood—it's all big city. Shops and restaurants of every imaginable origin line the main thoroughfares of Clark, Halsted, Sheffield, and Broadway. Convenience, accessibility, and safety are typically the words used by locals to describe the neighborhood in general, and the location is spectacular.  Lakeview consists of many sub-sections, including Lakeview East, Wrigleyville, Boystown, Roscoe Village, and Southport Corridor. 

Lincoln Park

Located to the north side of the city, bordered by one of the most expansive urban parks in the country, Lincoln Park is a highly desirable city locale attracting residents from all walks of life. Offering more bars, restaurants, and boutiques per capita than anywhere else in the city, this north side neighborhood offers its residents all the perks an urban dweller could dream of, and then some. The amount of sheer green space combined with ample entertainment options make Lincoln Park unique from almost every other neighborhood in the city. It provides many opportunities for relaxing or hitting the town for a night of fun.  

River West/Fulton Market

Framed by the Kennedy Expressway to the west and the river to the east, the area has become a hotspot for those seeking quick travel to both the western suburbs and downtown area while still enjoying the buzz of a big-city neighborhood. River West is a fairly new Chicago neighborhood. It has experienced a resurgence in recent years as developers sought to refurbish the community into the loft-style condominium.  Popular with professionals looking for a convenient location near the business district, commuter train, highway, and trendy restaurants and nightlife. 

River North

The vibe of the neighborhood is energetic, trendy, stylish, busy, chic, and urban, yet River North feels well established, and there is always a new restaurant or bar to check out. The greatest benefit of living in this area is convenience. It is close to the lake, the Loop, and public transportation. It has an incredible amount of entertainment options and is a foodie paradise. This area holds claim to the biggest collection of art galleries in the country after New York City. Enjoy the views of the river and some of Chicago’s skyscrapers. Ideal for urban professionals looking for a convenient lifestyle, with ease of access to the business district, transportation, lakefront, and nightlife.

South Loop

After years of being a deserted no man’s land, South Loop has come roaring back to life. This neighborhood is finally getting its moment in the spotlight by reinventing itself with hip new restaurants and a retail explosion. The lakefront and Museum Campus are only the beginning when it comes to bragging rights for residents of the South Loop—also known as “Sloopers.” While relatively calm and mild-mannered compared to its busier neighbors, the community is situated in a phenomenal spot to take advantage of Chicago.  

 

Leasing a Property

Whether you go it alone or work with one of our housing providers, it helps to be prepared for what to expect when you sit down to sign a lease. Here are some helpful hints to help you get started.

 

General Advice

  • In a competitive rental market, bring a completed rental application - including all necessary documentation - and a check for security deposit when visiting the property
  • Ask if the landlord offers any favorable terms for your employer
  • Come prepared with enough funds to pay for the first month of rent, plus the deposit amount. Deposit requirements vary, but can be equal to one-month rent (or more)
  • Be extra diligent when reviewing the lease from a private landlord. Unlike large apartment complexes, which generally have well established agreements, private landlords may be less experienced and may include unfavorable or unrealistic clauses
  • Ask a family member, friend, or colleague to come along with you on the move-in inspection to have an extra set of eyes

 

Be Thorough

Be sure to review the lease! Make sure you're comfortable with, and agree to, all of the conditions of your agreement such as:

  • Rules about landlord access and your privacy
  • Any maintenance required of tenant
  • Payment of utilities (typically tenant-paid) 

 

Be Prepared

Many landlords and property management companies have very strict requirements for prospective tenants. Qualifying can at times be challenging and a bit frustrating. Most landlords will require some combination of these documents:

  • Identification
  • Letter of employment
  • Recent pay stub
  • Copy of your credit report

 

Public Transportation

Chicago offers a comprehensive public transport system. 

Chicago Transit Authority serves 40 suburbs with its extensive train lines and bus routes. This includes buses, subway trains, surface trains, and the famous elevated trains, known as the “L.”  

Metra is the premier commuter rail system serving northeastern Illinois. With 228 stations in the six-county area of northeastern Illinois, Metra makes traveling to and from downtown Chicago and its surrounding areas easy and convenient. 

Pace Bus offers fixed-route bus service that conveniently carries commuters through the suburbs using a set schedule and routing. With more than 240 fixed routes serving more than 220 communities in the six-county area, Pace provides fast and economical service to employment centers, hospitals, shopping centers, and many other attractions.  

You may also want to download a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft if you need help getting around. In most areas within and surrounding the city, a requested driver typically arrives within 10 minutes or less.