RumblingRosco
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Chicago-GAF OT of Not the Second City, the BEST damn city.
- Thread starter ChiTownBuffalo
- Start date
Laevateinn
Member
Lincoln Square is great. We got a huge place for a reasonable cost. If you don't want something huge, you can probably find something pretty cheap. We're on the brown line too so it's not that bad of a commute.
InfiniteBento
Member
I live off the blue and its expensive as hell ($1050/mo for a studio) but its worth it considering it runs 24 hours + is close to all my favorite bars, restaurants, and shopping stuff.
Laevateinn
Member
As someone who's flown out of O'Hare twice in the past month, living near the blue line is also worth considering for ease of access to the airport.
You can probably find decent sublets in Evanston near Northwestern and take the Purple Line express to the Loop for a quick commute to work
RumblingRosco
Member
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Laevateinn
Member
I don't think anyone asked me for a copy of my ID. That seems a bit weird to me.
When I went, I emailed people on sites like padmapper and ended up finding a broker that drove me around to all of the apartments I was interested in. That's apparently unusual but from what I've heard Chicago has pretty good rental laws so they probably aren't going to outright scam you unless you're an easy mark.
When I went, I emailed people on sites like padmapper and ended up finding a broker that drove me around to all of the apartments I was interested in. That's apparently unusual but from what I've heard Chicago has pretty good rental laws so they probably aren't going to outright scam you unless you're an easy mark.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Well, let's not talk crazy talk now...
RumblingRosco
Member
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Moved out of the City 10 years ago and never looked back. I still work out there, but the City becomes a pain in the ass as you get older. Plus, I love the St. Charles / Geneva area. A ton of bars and what not.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
That actually does make sense. I'm a fan on living in the city, Even when older.
Do you have kids yet?
I was a fan with living in the City for life, then kids happened.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
11 and 7. Lived in the same place their whole lives.
Why is that? I hear about this often.
RumblingRosco
Member
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Laevateinn
Member
I had dinner at my boss' house with all my co-workers a couple nights ago in Naperville. Half of the conversations revolved around school districts. I guess when the city government is openly hostile to public education and the suburbs have pretty good schools it makes sense to a lot of people to move out of the city.
Pretty much into fun, not super touristy stuff. Bars and local shops; cheap eats and thrifting.
InfiniteBento
Member
I'll just list some of my favorite spots then for food + drinks + random shopping :>
Furious Spoon (best ramen + drinks, wednesday's are $1 beer)
Logan Theater (100+ year old theater, $7 movies, + bar inside)
Intelligentsia Coffee (best coffee in the city, started in chicago)
Rotofugi (collectable vinyl toys and art gallery)
Izakaya (Japanese style, underground bar, underneath an incredible sushi restaurant called Momotaro)
Sawada Coffee (Owned and created by one of Japan's greatest latte artist named Hiroshi Sawada - also home to the famous "Military Latte" = ground matcha, milk, espresso)
Antique Taco (cheap delicious tacos !)
Lost Lake (incredible tiki bar, named best bar of the year in the US for 2015 by Imbibe magazine)
Firecakes (BEST DONUTS EVER)
Lincoln Park Zoo (Completely free!)
Ah, no way! I remember you talking about how much you loved that spot you were at. Did your landlord jack the price up on you?
The Blue Line really is a godsend in a lot of ways. Easy access to the airport (though how helpful that is obviously depends on how often you fly), 24-hour access, tons of great destinations within walking distance, and not NEARLY the same amount of bullshit you get on the Red Line (in my experience anyway). Every third or fourth time you're on the Red, you're gonna see a masturbator or a loud rambler or whatever, even during commute hours. The Blue's definitely got its fair share of piss trains, but it's at a much less frequent rate.
InfiniteBento's list is great! I'll just say that Firecakes is mad overrated, though. Doughnut Vault for life!
I have to check out that Ramen place. Looks delicious!
Firecakes is the best.
Logan Square is where I saw Blair Witch Project. Awesome experience.
Never been to Lincoln Park Zoo because I hate Zoo's. Depressing...
Andersonville north of you is really great for queer stuff. Me and my boyfriend just moved up there and find it a lot more inclusive than Boystown, where we used to live. Go to Big Chicks! Awesome dance club and also a brunch spot
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I've been to Big Chicks once and loved it. My wife was singing there.
Also, for your geek needs, Dice Dojo off the Bryn Mawr stop, on Broadway, should be a good vector. Huge social gaming area. Also near Andersonville (where I also live) which has a ton going on.
Also, for your geek needs, Dice Dojo off the Bryn Mawr stop, on Broadway, should be a good vector. Huge social gaming area. Also near Andersonville (where I also live) which has a ton going on.
Raised the rent 550 on us. Can you believe that shit? Went from 1350 to 1900. Found a really nice 2 bedroom coach in Old IP that is so much bigger. The one thing that takes some getting used to is lack of food options.
Laevateinn
Member
Where have you been my whole life?
550?! That's some bullshit, man, fuck. I was actually really worried about my most recent lease agreement being insane (we renewed in June), but it barely went up at all. I think the trick to surviving Chicago rental rates is to find a landlord like mine that inherited the property and is only interested in breaking even and not having problems. $1200/month for south Logan Square a block from the 606 and ~10 minutes walking to the California stop is sounding like more and more like something I made up rather than a real thing haha.
It's no Bucktown, but you still have some solid options up there for food. If you haven't already, check out Fishguy Market for dope sea food (also a good market for getting your own stuff). Finch's Brewery is near you, though I don't think they have a tap room yet. Oh, and dude, you're not that far from Chicago Kalbi. It's not the most authentic KBBQ (it has a distinct Japanese influence), but the food itself is incredible.
InfiniteBento
Member
Inside that same building is a hidden ramen shop in the basement (look for a hand print on a door to find it !)
Such a cool place to hang out
RumblingRosco
Member
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InfiniteBento
Member
I've lived in Logan Square for almost 2 years and nothing has ever happened here.
There is the occasional hobo wandering aimlessly but in terms of anything else, it's been safe. Most places are also open late here so there are always people out and about.
I live in Logan, and in the 3.5 years I've been in this apartment, I've never had a problem. Believe it or not, some of the diciest situations I've ever been in were in Lakeview.
I'm pretty sure I know the exact area you're talking about (lemme guess - near Armitage & Damen?), and I think you'd feel very safe. And plus, if you'd be where I think you would be, you're like a five minute walk from Mindy's Hot Chocolate, which has a pretty strong brunch.
Pretty good hot chocolate, too. Cookies are a'ight, but overpriced.
Krauser Kat
Member
you have get all the way to cali or kedzie and damen and armitage for it get dicey in logan.
IMO anyway. I just stay away from the park after dark. no pokemons for me unless im driving.
IMO anyway. I just stay away from the park after dark. no pokemons for me unless im driving.
Andersonville north of you is really great for queer stuff. Me and my boyfriend just moved up there and find it a lot more inclusive than Boystown, where we used to live. Go to Big Chicks! Awesome dance club and also a brunch spot
Hey thanks! I do love Big Chicks but that's about the entirety of my experience in Andersonville.
Also, nice meeting you on Saturday!
Hey thanks! I do love Big Chicks but that's about the entirety of my experience in Andersonville.
Also, nice meeting you on Saturday!
Oh omg it's you!!! 😂😂😂❤️
Just come to our place one day we'll all do some exploring together :>
lmao
Laevateinn
Member
I've decided that there's a grand conspiracy to hype up bad news about Chicago to keep wealthy young white people away and limit gentrification.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
We should have a Replay meetup sometime. This is a videogame forum after all.
Laevateinn
Member
RumblingRosco
Member
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Laevateinn
Member
O'Hare is a pain in the ass to get to where I live but if you live near the blue line you should be good.
Way ahead of you
Where I lived and grew up near Seattle was way worse than anything I've encountered here. I've only been here for a month and a half though so what do I know. Maybe there's a warzone around the corner. I'm definitely looking forward to cooler weather at this point. I can't handle this humidity.
Krauser Kat
Member
anyone going to the river north pokemon bar crawl this weekend?
I lost my shit at the wicker park one and ended up going home with a super cute girl and caught a shit ton of pokemon. good times.
I lost my shit at the wicker park one and ended up going home with a super cute girl and caught a shit ton of pokemon. good times.
Laevateinn
Member
Before this gets lost, I'd be down for it.
Yes, I'm down. Especially since it's practically in my backyard.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Which Replay? Me and Sai-kun live a block away from the Andersonville one
That's the one. I live less than a block from it.
What street are you on? I'm on Balmoral east of Clark.
Yes, please! Let's do it soon. Gonna try to make it to your party tomorrow night.
I'm down for either location - can we make this a reality?