If you are not living in a high rise, you can find units with parking at no additional cost pretty easily. My first Chicago apartment was in Lincoln Park with a spot included and my current place is in Lakeview with a spot included. In general, the closer you are to the lake, the harder it is to find parking and the less likely your place will include parking at no cost.
That being said, I almost never need the car; it's primarily my husband's as he drives to work. If you're going to go car-less, I'd prioritize finding a place close to a grocery store as that's the only errand that can be painful if it's a long walk.
And ignore the "Edgewater is so far away" comments -- this bowl errs young and is biased towards only the most typical of neighborhoods. I have plenty of friends who live in Edgewater and it's great (as is LP).
Depends on your family situation. I lived in Edgewater for 2 years without a car - but then I used to travel almost every week. Now that we are home all the time and am about to have a kid, I bought a car
Its fairly easy to drive around in Chicago. It’s not like owning a car in New York. Parking is on the expensive side around 180-200 a month for garage parking in LP. Edge water would be cheaper. Driving downtown is fine too it’s cheaper to valet than take an Uber. Having said all that the ‘L’ is pretty good, so sell the car if you don’t want to worry about parking etc. if you enjoy your car and don’t want to use the ‘L’/ bus/Uber all the time and are good with the premium price for parking then bring you car along.
Moved from Dallas to Chicago 8 years ago. In normal times, I'd say get rid of the car. In this pandemic , it can be useful as you want to stay away from the trains. Sell the car after 2021 when this pandemic is mostly over.
If you are moving alone, I'd move to Liincoln Park, Logan square, wicker Park , or old town.
If you’re living in a high rise anywhere in the loop up to north Gold Coast - sell.
If you’re in a townhouse with free parking, keep.
If you’re farther out than Lincoln park - keep.
That’s my two cents. I’ve been in the city two years and just sold my car because I finally realized I’ve used it at max 5 times. And parking is $250 a month which is ridiculous.
For more info, I'm a single male moving into BC/BS. All things considered, would having a car be a pain in the ass besides finding parking? Don't plan to drive around downtown with it.
I moved from Dallas to Chicago (Lakeview) 3 years ago. I got lucky and found a place with a parking spot included. It was convenient to have when I needed to load up on groceries but other than that I rarely drove it. If I’d had to pay for a parking spot I would’ve sold it after a few months.
You should probably include stats like how often do you expect to go downtown/to the office? Comfort using public transport and where your friends are located. I live in Edgewater and all of these factors helped me decide what was more economical for me.
Sell the car. You can Uber a lot for the coast to insure, maintain and park a vehicle in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Use Zipcar for errands under 2.5 hours, and a standard rental for longer needs.
Edgewater and LP are quite different. If you go all the way up to Edgewater or further, I’d consider keeping your car, but definitely not necessary. If you live in LP I’d sell the car. I sold my car when I move from out of state to LP and I am glad I did so. However, now that I’m getting ready to move the Logan I’m getting a beater car.
I am about to make that reverse move. Live in Lincoln Park. You don’t need a car. But parking isn’t that bad. City permit is like $40. And you can park in a large zone based on your address (mine covers like 10 blocks by 8 blocks. That’s plenty of space. My advice is in LP do not spend more than $1600 for a 1 bedroom. In Lakeview do not spend more than $1450. That will get you a reasonable apartment (not luxury). But everything you need. Maybe look at Chicago Consulting bowl usually someone is posting about subletting for a few months. A lot of people are leaving Chicago right now, but it’s not dead. Great city.
You can do with or without the car. The only difference is convenience and cost. Owning a car in the city can get relatively expensive when you consider public transit options (parking, city stickers, insurance, car payments vs paying 20-150 on public transit or Uber/lyft). On the flip side, grocery runs are easier, you can come and go as you please, and can get out of the city on a moment's notice (there is traffic to consider however).
All that said, if you move here whilst the pandemic is going on you may want to keep your car temporarily.
Living very close to Fullerton station and parking is really easy and free w/o permit on Fullerton. Moved here recently tho so it could be because of covid
If you are not living in a high rise, you can find units with parking at no additional cost pretty easily. My first Chicago apartment was in Lincoln Park with a spot included and my current place is in Lakeview with a spot included. In general, the closer you are to the lake, the harder it is to find parking and the less likely your place will include parking at no cost.
That being said, I almost never need the car; it's primarily my husband's as he drives to work. If you're going to go car-less, I'd prioritize finding a place close to a grocery store as that's the only errand that can be painful if it's a long walk.
And ignore the "Edgewater is so far away" comments -- this bowl errs young and is biased towards only the most typical of neighborhoods. I have plenty of friends who live in Edgewater and it's great (as is LP).
Depends on your family situation. I lived in Edgewater for 2 years without a car - but then I used to travel almost every week. Now that we are home all the time and am about to have a kid, I bought a car
I live between the 2 in lake view without a car. Lp is fine without a car. Idk about edge water though. I always assumed more people had cars there
Its fairly easy to drive around in Chicago. It’s not like owning a car in New York. Parking is on the expensive side around 180-200 a month for garage parking in LP. Edge water would be cheaper. Driving downtown is fine too it’s cheaper to valet than take an Uber. Having said all that the ‘L’ is pretty good, so sell the car if you don’t want to worry about parking etc. if you enjoy your car and don’t want to use the ‘L’/ bus/Uber all the time and are good with the premium price for parking then bring you car along.
Moved from Dallas to Chicago 8 years ago.
In normal times, I'd say get rid of the car. In this pandemic , it can be useful as you want to stay away from the trains. Sell the car after 2021 when this pandemic is mostly over.
If you are moving alone, I'd move to Liincoln Park, Logan square, wicker Park , or old town.
If you’re living in a high rise anywhere in the loop up to north Gold Coast - sell.
If you’re in a townhouse with free parking, keep.
If you’re farther out than Lincoln park - keep.
That’s my two cents. I’ve been in the city two years and just sold my car because I finally realized I’ve used it at max 5 times. And parking is $250 a month which is ridiculous.
For more info, I'm a single male moving into BC/BS. All things considered, would having a car be a pain in the ass besides finding parking? Don't plan to drive around downtown with it.
If you’re cute move to boyztown. You will get a lot of free drinks and A lot of positive reinforcement when you walk down the street
I moved from Dallas to Chicago (Lakeview) 3 years ago. I got lucky and found a place with a parking spot included. It was convenient to have when I needed to load up on groceries but other than that I rarely drove it. If I’d had to pay for a parking spot I would’ve sold it after a few months.
Yeah if you're in a townhouse its not too much of a hassle to get parking. If money isn't an issue id say its a nice to have and to keep it
You should probably include stats like how often do you expect to go downtown/to the office? Comfort using public transport and where your friends are located. I live in Edgewater and all of these factors helped me decide what was more economical for me.
If money isn't an issue, just keep the car for the convenience factor.
Sell the car. You can Uber a lot for the coast to insure, maintain and park a vehicle in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Use Zipcar for errands under 2.5 hours, and a standard rental for longer needs.
Edgewater and LP are quite different. If you go all the way up to Edgewater or further, I’d consider keeping your car, but definitely not necessary. If you live in LP I’d sell the car. I sold my car when I move from out of state to LP and I am glad I did so. However, now that I’m getting ready to move the Logan I’m getting a beater car.
I am about to make that reverse move. Live in Lincoln Park. You don’t need a car. But parking isn’t that bad. City permit is like $40. And you can park in a large zone based on your address (mine covers like 10 blocks by 8 blocks. That’s plenty of space. My advice is in LP do not spend more than $1600 for a 1 bedroom. In Lakeview do not spend more than $1450. That will get you a reasonable apartment (not luxury). But everything you need. Maybe look at Chicago Consulting bowl usually someone is posting about subletting for a few months. A lot of people are leaving Chicago right now, but it’s not dead. Great city.
Andersonville!!!
Rising Star
You can do with or without the car. The only difference is convenience and cost. Owning a car in the city can get relatively expensive when you consider public transit options (parking, city stickers, insurance, car payments vs paying 20-150 on public transit or Uber/lyft). On the flip side, grocery runs are easier, you can come and go as you please, and can get out of the city on a moment's notice (there is traffic to consider however).
All that said, if you move here whilst the pandemic is going on you may want to keep your car temporarily.
Living very close to Fullerton station and parking is really easy and free w/o permit on Fullerton. Moved here recently tho so it could be because of covid
I second the above. Keep the car till Covid clears