University of Illinois at Chicago -- Epidemiology

[Epi_Catherine]

Hey everyone,

 

I was recently accepted into the epi PhD program at UIC. Is anyone else going to be there in the fall? I have a couple of friends, but not too many and I'm not super familiar with the area around UIC. It would be nice to be able to talk to some current students or recently accepted students before I get to Chicago in mid-August  

 

Thanks!!

Catherine

[katethekitcat]

I decided not to attend UIC, but I currently live in Chicago, so let me know if you have questions about the city in general!

[themmases]

I'm attending! I'll be starting the Epi MS program in the fall.

[Epi_Catherine]

I have SO many questions about Chicago! Where to live being #1...I want to live in a safe neighborhood, but my stipend is pretty terrible so it needs to be affordable. Close to campus would be nice, but I realize it's not the best area so I'm open to living a little farther away and commuting using public transportation. Any suggestions for neighborhoods? 

[sayjo]

Little Italy is safe, nice, and walkable to UIC.  If you live with roommates, the rent isn't that bad.  You can get a place around here with each roommate paying somewhere between $400 to $600 a month.  

 

Also, don't believe anyone that tells you Wicker Park and Lincoln Park are the only nice/safe places to live.  I've lived all over the city (including "unsafe" areas) and there are much better options than those two neighborhoods.

Edited April 29, 2014 by sayjo

[Epi_Catherine]

What do you think of Bridgeport, Pilsen, or Logan Square? I'm am leaning towards living alone. I've lived with roommates for the past 8 years and it's getting kind of old. I just don't think I can afford to live alone in an area like Little Italy or Wicker Park. Bridgeport, Pilsen, and Logan Square seem more affordable, but I've heard they might not be that safe. I've lived in Boston and Atlanta in the past so I'm used to city life, but I definitely don't want to deal with break-ins or shootings. Thanks so much for your input on this! I can google crime stats on different neighborhoods, but I think it's better to hear from someone who actually has lived/lives there. 

[sayjo]

Pilsen is awesome!!  Four of my friends currently live there.  It's a mix of Mexican families and 20-somethings (a lot of hipsters).  Rent is SUPER affordable.  There's lots of bars and restaurants and Halsted street has a ton of art galleries.  Also, in terms of location, it is closest to UIC.  You could even bike there if you wanted to!

 

I haven't spent much time in Bridgeport or Logan Square, but I feel like Bridgeport is more families whereas Logan Square is probably more comparable to Pilsen.  Hope that helps!

Edited April 29, 2014 by sayjo

[Epi_Catherine]

Yes that helps a lot!! One of my friends told me Pilsen wasn't safe, but she hasn't lived in Chicago for a few years now and it seems like it's very up and coming. 

[katethekitcat]

What do you think of Bridgeport, Pilsen, or Logan Square? I'm am leaning towards living alone. I've lived with roommates for the past 8 years and it's getting kind of old. I just don't think I can afford to live alone in an area like Little Italy or Wicker Park. Bridgeport, Pilsen, and Logan Square seem more affordable, but I've heard they might not be that safe. I've lived in Boston and Atlanta in the past so I'm used to city life, but I definitely don't want to deal with break-ins or shootings. Thanks so much for your input on this! I can google crime stats on different neighborhoods, but I think it's better to hear from someone who actually has lived/lives there. 

 

AREAS of Pilsen are a bit unsafe, but they're moving in the right direction in terms of that. If you look at a map, generally the further out you go on the pink L line, the sketchier it gets. However, it's also quite affordable.

 

I lived in Logan Square for two years and absolutely loved it; it's also right off the blue line which goes directly to UIC. Lots of bars, coffee shops, resturaunts, easy access to other places in the city, etc. It's the cool place to be right now, however, which means rents are likely about to skyrocket. If you're going to live there, get in now. In terms of rent, don't even bother looking at Wicker Park.

[sayjo]

As long as you're east of Ashland, Pilsen is perfectly safe.  

[themmases]

I live in Lakeview and will be staying because my apartment is a unicorn, but there are definitely cheaper places. In Chicago, there are lots of apartment services where the landlord pays the company for showing the apartment, and the potential renter pays nothing for the service. I really recommend using one (I used Elan Leasing), telling them what you need, and letting them do the work. I found a studio this way a few years ago and liked it so much that I moved to a one-bedroom in the same building the next year and have been there ever since. Lots of people will recommend Craigslist too, but it's a bit more work for you if you'll be searching from out of state.

 

In terms of what you want, look for a place where at least heat is included in your rent. Especially don't pay to heat a place with radiators-- it's stupid expensive and you might not even have much control over turning them up and down. Some places will also include other utilities like cooking gas. I have no idea if those extras save money, but they will keep your budget predictable.

 

The School of Public Health is at 1603 W Taylor, really close to Ashland, and the Ashland (north/south) bus runs pretty much all night-- it's a very useful bus. Living near Halsted (almost as good north/south bus) would also be good. The SPH is a 15 minute walk from the blue line-- I use the Illinois Medical District stop all the time right now to go to Malcolm X College and have never had any problems there. Even at night there are usually other students coming and going.

 

I've never lived in them, but I've had friends who really love living in Pilsen and Logan Square. I'd consider them myself if I were moving.

[drph_2014]

I also live in Lakeview in an apartment at Ashland and Diversey. It's a two bedroom for $1250/month with all the utilities included and laundry. I think it's the perfect area, although being off the blue line would be better for getting into downtown. They have planned to build an express bus down the center of Ashland from Irving Park to the southside, so that should help with commuting to UIC come next summer or so.

 

Logan Square has zero grocery stores and I find that annoying. I have mixed feelings about Pilsen being safe (sorry Pilsen-lovers!). A friend of mine does have a one-bedroom in Wicker Park/Bucktown for $900/mo so you just need to hunt a bit.

 

Feel free to PM me if you want more advice! Or if you are in need of furniture. Moving across the country in August!