Might be moving to Chicago...parking should be fun

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/03/2014 at 17:32 • Filed to: None

I live in Madison, WI. I'm 31, came here for college, and stuck around for work. After growing up in the Maryland suburbs of DC, I've lived my entire adult life in Madison. That might all change, because I'm pretty far along in the interview process for a new job that's going to be a good $15-20k more than I make in Madison.

My gf and I have our own places, and she's the one who encouraged me to look at jobs in Chicago. My mom's side of the family is all there, I love the city, and there's way more job opportunities in my field than in Madison. Gf wants to move there too.

But....I have 2 cars (135is, Grand Cherokee), gf has a Civic, my possible new job is right in the middle of downtown Chicago, and I don't want to live way out in the suburbs. The 135is and Civic are leased so can't really just sell them.

I've found some places to live that are in my desired neighborhoods (Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, North Central, Edgewater—yes they are all infested with hipsters and yuppies), allow cats, have somewhere to grill (I must grill), and have at least 1 garage space, and rent in my budget. If/when the gf gets a job in Chicago she'll pitch in on rent so it's even more of a financial win.

I already have a solution to my 2 cars in the city conundrum, which is my aunt lives out in the suburbs. My cousin (her son) lives with her and doesn't have a car. So during warmer months I'd leave the Jeep with my cousin in the burbs, and in the winter put my 135is in storage and steal the Jeep back from him.

Now the question mark is when my gf moves down—some of the places to live that I really like, only have 1 garage space, and they're in neighborhoods where street parking is kinda rough. Should I totally rule out these 1 garage space places, or should I consider them and do something like switch off weeks with my gf where one of us gets the garage space?

(Pic is in front of Bentley Gold Coast in Chicago, the most ridiculous car dealership I've ever seen, and also has parties where you put on a tux and stand next to a Lamborghini.)

DISCUSSION (21)

jkm7680 > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 17:34

Oooh, That's a good deal more money.

Keeping the cars on a rotation is a good idea though!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 17:35

who wants to go to a lambo snob party anyway stay in wisconsin

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 17:36

If you're going to be working downtown, you still might want to consider the suburbs. You will have far more opportunities to get what you want (ample parking, place to grill, have pets) in the suburbs. The only thing I would recommend is looking for a place that is near a Metra commuter train station.

I've lived in the suburbs of Chicago my entire life, and my mom has worked downtown the entire time. She enjoys taking Metra because she can relax or get caught up on work with the hour or so train ride she has into the city.

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 17:36

This is where the DCT comes in handy! You'll be extra glad you chose that transmission for city driving.

Arben72 > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 17:40

I don't know if it's still the same owner but the guy that originally had that dealer was a scam artist. Anyways if your ok with a little of a commute my most favorite suburb is definitely oak brook. Great schools, actual garages, quiet town feel. It's slightly expensive but it's worth it. Living in the city itself sucks.

Dunnik > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 17:46

Chicago is Toronto's Twin City, and for once with twin cities, they really are kinda twins. Roughly about the same size, both on the shores of a Great Lake, and both with an industrial past along the waterfront that both have successfully tried to move past.

So if you want my advice:

You will want to live downtown. People are moving back to downtowns from the 'burbs: cheaper taxes and more house for the money doesn't measure against a long frustrating commute. Living downtown means everything is close to hand, and you can walk, bike or pub transit it, leaving your 135 to be enjoyed on weekends, and such.

I'd dump the Civic, share the 135 in summer and the Cherokee in winter. Store the Cherokee in winter at a storage lot. This way you only need to find 1 parking space, which is easily done with a condo or apt.

CAR_IS_MI > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 17:52

I don't live in Chicago, but I was there for 3 days for work, and I had a rental car, and let me just say. Fuck That. The city itself is great, but if you can find a way to not live in or park in the city I would highly recommend it (this recommendation comes from my astute and ample time of about 50 hours spent in the city)

Textured Soy Protein > Where have all the lightweights gone?
04/03/2014 at 17:54

The new office would be right at the Monroe blue line subway station. I want to live somewhere I can walk to a bunch of restaurants, bars & other stuff, and be a quick jaunt to other gun stuff. Plus 2 hours on the train every day is just no fun.

I grew up in the DC burbs, but much closer in to downtown. My folks live in Rockville, MD and my dad had been working in Dupont Circle in DC—he had a 20-25 minute subway ride. Much more tolerable.

But Chicago's so much bigger than DC, 20 minutes on the train from my new office, would still be in Chicago haha.

Textured Soy Protein > Dunnik
04/03/2014 at 17:55

Not sure how easy it would be to dump the Civic, leases are tricky like that.

Textured Soy Protein > Arben72
04/03/2014 at 17:56

Yeah I'm trying not to have a crazy commute. This new job is right at the Monroe blue line subway station so I'd like to keep it to at most a 20-30 minute train ride to there, which is still mostly within the city limits.

Textured Soy Protein > CAR_IS_MI
04/03/2014 at 18:00

I've spent plenty of time in the city and while I don't live there (yet) I consider myself a reasonably accomplished Chicago driver. Yes there are many times where public transport is far more desirable. But I have family spread all over town there and various shopping and other trips out to the burbs, means I would keep a car around.

I would rather live in the city and have all of its benefits (and deal with the nuisances), than live out in a sleepy suburb and spend 2 hours a day sitting on a train.

Dunnik > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 18:07

Hrm. Well, that's one reason to finance instead of lease (esp. a Civic, can understand if its a Bimmer) but that ship has sailed.

It'll be tricky to find two parking spaces. Many condo units have double spaces but those tend to be attached to very large (and $$$) units that may be beyond your means or just too big (don't forget the larger the unit, the bigger the maint. fee).

An apt. would be easiest: you just rent two spaces. They probably wouldn't be next to each other, but not much you can do about that.

If property prices downtown are anything like what they are here, then a house with a driveway and garage is out of the question.

Textured Soy Protein > Dunnik
04/03/2014 at 18:12

Yeah she got the Civic on a lease because she had been working reduced hours and needed to lower her spending compared to the Sentra she had been driving (and financed).

But really, Chicago wasn't even on our radar when any of these vehicles were purchased. It was just "hey you should look at jobs in Chicago," I started applying, next thing you know I'm this close to having an offer for a nice big raise.

Most of the places I've looked at are either apartment/condo buildings with underground garages, old houses that have been made into upstairs/downstairs duplexes that have a 2-car garage out back on an alley and 1 space is available for each half of the duplex, or small 3-6 unit walk-up buildings with similar garages.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Textured Soy Protein
04/03/2014 at 19:19

LaGrange and Downers Grove would be pretty good options, too. Both have express trains serve it during rush hour, and their downtown areas offer a lot of options for good dining and bars. In the next town over from LaGrange is one of the largest retro arcades in the country. I've been there, and it's fantastic!

Textured Soy Protein > Where have all the lightweights gone?
04/04/2014 at 00:29

Ehhhhhh....I just don't think I can bring myself to live 25-30 miles away from where I'm going to work. Express trains or not.

That aside, some of the things I'm looking for in my next place to live are:

More things going on. I'm sure Downers Grove and similar places have decent shopping and restaurants and such, but I've got that here in Madison. I want to be able to walk less than a mile and have all kinds of stuff to do, or hop a quick train/bus/cab/uber and be at even more thing.

More diversity. That was the biggest culture shock when I got to Madison. I actually had a moment my freshman year of college where I looked around the dining hall and realized, holy shit everyone here is white . Downers Grove, according to Wikipedia, is 88% white.

So really, if I found a place in like Wicker Park or Bucktown with 2 garage spaces, I'd be golden.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Textured Soy Protein
04/04/2014 at 03:11

I think what you're looking for in the areas you're looking for might be a tall order. If you don't, the best of both worlds for you might be Oak Park. It's literally just outside the city limits, has L access directly into the Loop (stops are 2-3 blocks away from the Monroe Blue Line stop), loads of shopping and restaurants, and you're still a quick L/cab/Uber ride away from a bunch of places in the city.

That said, next time you're down, let me know. I know my girlfriend and I would love to show you around some more.

Textured Soy Protein > Where have all the lightweights gone?
04/04/2014 at 11:44

Hmmmm....interesting. Looks like Oak Park might be worth investigating. Thanks for the tip!

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Arben72
04/04/2014 at 15:37

I work in Oak Brook. It's a really nice area but a bit on the pricey side to live here.

Arben72 > Where have all the lightweights gone?
04/04/2014 at 16:19

There's a couple of areas where it's more budget friendly but I believe it's the best suburb out of Chicago. Doesn't feel like your near the city at all.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Arben72
04/04/2014 at 16:21

I'm making a move from down south (Frankfort/Orland Park area) up to this area most likely next year. We're looking at Glen Ellyn for easy access to Metra and a bike path (my g/f's suggestion on the bike path).

Arben72 > Where have all the lightweights gone?
04/04/2014 at 16:25

I don't ride a bike or take public transport as I currently live 150 miles south of Chicago but you should look for an apartment/house at oak brook colonies. I believe the going rate is 2k a month but you get 2 car garage and it's pretty much a full blown house size wise. It's right by the nyl office if you know where that is.