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Is moving to Chicago worth the move?

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Hi there,

This is my first Reddit post, and what other way to start using Reddit than by asking if it’s worth the move to live in Chicago?

I’m a single 28 y/o M living in Raleigh, NC. I work remotely for a company that’s HQ’d in Chicago, but I’ve been working remote for the past 4 years and I’m getting a bit sad with my work-life situation.

I was recently thinking that I make the move to Chicago so I could do a hybrid work-life. I think I am at a point in my life where I want to meet new people, and get on a schedule (it’s so easy to fall out of schedule while working 100% remote).

I wanted to know which are the best spots to look for when it comes to renting an apartment in downtown Chicago?

I’ve done some research, and everything that I’ve looked at is overpriced (expected), especially for where I want to move. I wanted to be walking distance from my HQ (500 W Monroe St), but even the reviews for The Presidential Tower looked off putting here recently, for example.

I currently have one roommate who wants to move with me to Chicago. He pays about $1,100 in rent, and I pay about $900 per month for my portion. We are trying to budget between $2500 to $2750 for rent in Chicago. That would be about $1,450 for him and $1,250 for me (e.g., if rent is about $2,700).

Any recommendations on where to look, or on which places to go with? We want something in a safe neighborhood nearby my work (and close to Millennium Park), obviously within budget, and spacious / modern look-and-feel with the apartment.

Or am I just crazy, and should try to “man-up” and try to find a house in Raleigh? 😅 I’m sure my parents would want the latter for me, but I’ll be honest.

I’m not ready to settle down just yet, and would love to move to a new place and meet someone to form a healthy relationship for the next few years (and then hopefully settle down back in NC to look after my parents). After all, I feel like I’ve exhausted my options with these dating apps out here.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers, D.L.

Top Comment: You don’t want to be walking distance to downtown unless you move to the west loop or river north. This is a common misconception for transplants. Downtown (The Loop) is mostly where people work and stay in hotels, and while some people live downtown, most don’t. We have a robust transit system and you’d be happier living in a vibrant neighborhood that has bus or train (the L) access.

Forum: r/chicagoapartments

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