This is the thread where I look for the perfect apartment

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The renter's market is k-crazy around here, and suddenly I can afford things I couldn't dream of in any other city. My credit could be in better shape (see the "collection agency" thread), but I suspect there are a lot of people out there who aren't going to care much. Rock bottom prices! Everything must go!

Hm...

$750 / 2br - Great River West Apt!
two bedroom apartment in the river West neighborhood on Milwaukee just north of chicago ave. Big windows, great light, and hardwood floors. Parking is easy, it's very close to the trains, downtown and funky bucktown area shopping. Great space for an artist.

An artist? I'm an artist! Or... I could be! For 850 sq feet I could be!

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 19:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Jesus, that's cheap.

― dean? (deangulberry), Thursday, 12 August 2004 19:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Told ya.

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 19:57 (twenty-one years ago)

that is the area of town I was telling you about before you moved to Chicago.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 12 August 2004 19:57 (twenty-one years ago)

But at the same time you are freezing to death.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 12 August 2004 19:58 (twenty-one years ago)

but it's not really RIVER WEST, though. Milwaukee north of Chicago = almost not quite W.P.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 12 August 2004 19:58 (twenty-one years ago)

The ads always lie. It's a decent neighborhood, that's all I care about. And pretty much on top of the blue line Chicago stop.

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 19:59 (twenty-one years ago)

But at the same time you are freezing to death.

I hear it's a painless way to die. You go numb.

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:00 (twenty-one years ago)

well don't say I never tried to help you out.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I need to move to Chicago.

― Homosexual II (Homosexual II), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Now is the time!

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:04 (twenty-one years ago)

If you moved there, you'd be much closer to me. Eh? Eh?

― na (Nick A.), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm planning on it someday.

― Homosexual II (Homosexual II), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

If you moved there, you'd be much closer to me. Eh? Eh?

What exactly are you implying, nick? I mean, I guess you're kinda cute and all but...

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm implying that you would, um, be living physically closer to where I live.

― na (Nick A.), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Harold, Did you used to post under another name? I'm so behind on Who's Who these days.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah, I'm Kenan.

well don't say I never tried to help you out.

I would never say that. Your advice was sincere, and I ignored it. But now even though I work in Evanston, I'd like to live closer to the center of things.

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm implying that you would, um, be living physically closer to where I live.

Physically closer, eh? Eh?

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry. I am a large child.

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

There is a house around the corner from me that has your last name on the mailbox. You should live there, it would be convenient for you.

― na (Nick A.), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

You mean there are other coonasses in Chicago? It really *is* a multicultural city!

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 12 August 2004 20:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Kenan, do it! Move out of Andersonville.
I like that weird stretch of Milwaukee between Grand and Division. It has that vaguely burned out-industrial feeling that makes cities cities. Also, you'd be not too far from Bari, the best Italian sandwiches in the world. Also hot stuff in that vicinity: Matchbox and Silver Palm. I'd live over there for better access to West Loop things, but that's just me, maybe.

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Friday, 13 August 2004 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I like that weird stretch of Milwaukee between Grand and Division. It has that vaguely burned out-industrial feeling that makes cities cities.

I lived on Noble just north of here, and this makes me sad.

― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, 13 August 2004 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

hstencil, how so?

I was partially referring to the view from the Chicago blue line stop, where I stare at the same vacant building daily. Make no mistakes, I really like this area, just seems like there several boarded up buildings/restaurants that are permanently closed. Then again, there are very lively/new places on this stretch as well. And Eckhart Park is close, and provides needed greenery next to the highway.

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Friday, 13 August 2004 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

There is certainly something... spare about that particular stretch of riverfront. And yet, it's close to everything. Besides, renovated industrial neighborhoords = spacious, cheap housing. Possibly with track lighting hanging from exposed ceiling beams! Tres chic!

I'll let you know after I see the place tomorrow.

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 13 August 2004 16:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry I didn't know, Kenan. I hope the viewing goes well.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 13 August 2004 17:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Mr./Ms. robots in love, I was kinda in agreement with ya.

― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, 13 August 2004 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I subscribed to this thread at the outset, then suddenly a few minutes ago got every email from it at once. This post is just to see if it'[s working in a timely fashion now.

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 20 August 2004 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

It's looking more and more like Wicker Park. I just got off the phone with a guy who owns a building that a friend of mine lives in... he never places ads, only goes by recommendations, and apparently like to cut people good deals. "Hard times" and all that... and yes, my times have been rather hard lately. He readily agreed that all the ads in the paper are crap, and knowing someone is the only way to get a *really* good apartment.

2br, nice size, under $800. 2 blocks south of the Damen Blue Line stop. Located conveniently adjacent to Nick and Sarah. Hi, Nick and Sarah!

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Hi! Yay!

― n.a. (Nick A.), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Though we couldn't be friends anymore because I would be jealous of the deal you would be getting. And this conveniently gets me out of helping you move.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I need to move to Chicago. But do they PAY you much????

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 20:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm wondering about the exact location now. He said "two blocks south of north," which means the apartment is virtually in Wicker Park. I mean, in the park itself. That's quite the location.

I'm holding my breath for this one now. No more long-ass bus trips to sell books at Myopic! Flash Tacos every day and night!

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 20:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Couldn't it be two blocks south of North but west of Damen? That would still be Wicker Park.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 20:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, I know.

Am I going to have to buy ironic t-shirts now? I mean, I already have the Rivers Cuomo glasses, so I could probably squeak by.

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 20:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I am looking at investing in a pair of non-ironic horn rims.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 24 August 2004 21:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Kenan, Maybe your new place is inside the dog park. Which reminds me, if you don't have a dog, you might have to get one. I'm worried any day now someone will discover we don't have one and kick us out of the neighborhood. I think it's a law.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 13:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Wicker Park stylee is not so much ironic t-shirts now as is it is $300 jeans and vintage blazers. You know, amateur!st style. Just kidding. Oh yeah, and ugly designer t-shirts with the names of obscure designers screenprinted on them in neon colors.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 13:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Does amateur!st wear boilersuits?

― adam. (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 14:28 (twenty-one years ago)

What's a boilersuit? I'm imagining one of those old-timey diving suits, because they look kind of like boilers.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

jesus christ. $750 for an 850 sq.ft. 2BR???

i just signed some shit for a $1750 decent-sized'ish 1BR in the fringes of the lower east side.

also, i was at Jeffrey, this really upscale dept store in NYC and they were selling t-shirts (evanston park district / virginia is for lovers / say yes to michigan / ridgewood junior varsity / etc) that were clearly picked up at some thrift store still with the Fruit of the Loom label on it, but selling them for THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS! wtf.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 14:45 (twenty-one years ago)

That price is pretty cheap for this area (we're paying $1000 for our 2 br) but Chicago is a renter's market right now.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 14:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Phil you really should've gone for Brooklyn.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

things weren't even much cheaper in brooklyn! unless i wanted to live in "clinton hill" upstairs from a chop shop and a popeyes's with bulletproof glass. or in "fort greene" like a 20 minute walk to the train. and i dont even have a winter coat, so that would suck come december.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 14:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not sure about NYC, but in Chicago, you can get a winter coat for less than $1750.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

actually, the winter coat i want is $2100. i might wait for it to go on sale in january. then i'll feel stupid for not moving to that fort greene place, i think.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 15:03 (twenty-one years ago)

the last winter coat I bought was $75, but granted that was in Chicago.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 15:03 (twenty-one years ago)

The coat that got me through last winter cost me $30 at a thrift store. Big and green and woolen. I think there may even be another season in it.

i just signed some shit for a $1750 decent-sized'ish 1BR in the fringes of the lower east side.

Christ on a pogo stick. For $1750, I could live in Hancock Center. (Well, that's an exagguration, but not by much.)

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 15:14 (twenty-one years ago)

New York is a different place. To, like, anything else.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 15:15 (twenty-one years ago)

it must be nice to have expendable income. just when i start making good money, i have to move out of the free-rent models apartment.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 25 August 2004 15:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 76 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

so, is it on Chicago? I thought that's where the Bialy Cafe was. My memory could be way off though.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, Bialy's is right on Chicago.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Chicago and Noble, to be exact.

― Tonight at ten (kenan), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:17 (twenty-one years ago)

So it could be kind of noisy around there at times, right on Chicago.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

ts: bialy vs. bialystock & bagel vs. barnum & bagel

― amateur!!st, Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

BUT! Club Foot would serve as a convenient half-way location between your apt. and ours!

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

huh, my memory must be off. I couldn't remember if it was the place across Chicago from Flo, or the place on the Flo-side of Chicago, on that one alley. Anyway, yeah, it's nice over there.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Kenan, I'm in a university owned townhouse. From the floorplans, it looks really spacious--probably much more so that tiny Chicago bowling alley apts. I think it has 10' x 12' bedrooms. Split level--bedrooms upstairs, kitchen/living downstairs. $675/month. (high speed internet/cable included). I'm living with a 30 year old gay MFA (studio art) student. We seem to have some similarities--an interest in dead bodies and the grotesque. Should be gloomy.

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:20 (twenty-one years ago)

r.i.l., did you see the pics on the surprise teenyFAP thread?

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

yes, i did, thanks. i was wearing a pink shirt--and wonder how it turned out white.

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

My shirt is also much prettier than it looks in the picture. I feel your pain.

― Tonight at ten (kenan), Thursday, 9 September 2004 16:40 (twenty-one years ago)

I like the place, though it remains to be seen whether the girl will. She's looking at it this afternoon. I really dig the neighborhood especially. Compared to Andersonville, it's like living in a big city vs... well... living right outside a big city.

Chicago Avenue, looking west:

http://giganticmag.com/images/chicago_ave.jpg

and east:

http://giganticmag.com/images/chicago_ave_2.jpg

See? Big city. A whole new vibe.

― Tonight at ten (kenan), Friday, 10 September 2004 17:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Those are great pix!

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 10 September 2004 17:48 (twenty-one years ago)

wow we would've been neighbors, practically. Well not really, but really close.

― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, 10 September 2004 17:49 (twenty-one years ago)

OK! Woo! A lease has been drawn up. The guys is giving us three free weeks. We'll have the keys tomorrow, but won't pay for September at all. This gives us a long, comfortable time to slowly move in.

This is the nicest guy in Chicago, I'm thinking. After I met with him, he was off to conduct his weekly book group with homeless people.

Anyhoo. Hello west side.

― Tonight at ten (kenan), Friday, 10 September 2004 18:03 (twenty-one years ago)

HOORAH! Neighbors (kind of)!

― n/a (Nick A.), Friday, 10 September 2004 18:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Kenan,
I hope you enjoy it! Have you heard of/been to that new toy store on Chicago Ave., Rotofugli or whatever it's called...
Since I've been spending this past week in Andersonville/Uptown, I do miss living over in that vicinity.

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Friday, 10 September 2004 18:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Give us a call if you need help moving in. I won't be able to this weekend or next, due to aforementioned parent visitation, but during the week or later weekends, I'm willing to help lug some boxes.

― n/a (Nick A.), Friday, 10 September 2004 18:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Yay! I'm sad you're moving further away from me, obv., but happy that you got the apartment.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 10 September 2004 18:12 (twenty-one years ago)

The only things I'm worried about moving are our table and bookcases. Everything else is just boxes. Heavy boxes of books, but still... just boxes.

But yeah... thanks! I may call you the weekend before the 1st. One can never have too much muscle. You're so cool to offer.

― Tonight at ten (kenan), Friday, 10 September 2004 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't have too much muscle, but I'm there!

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 10 September 2004 18:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Check out my view!

http://giganticmag.com/images/view.jpg

I can't wait to see it at night.

― Tonight at ten (kenan), Saturday, 11 September 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Err, my neighborhood's nice - and cheap; I pay 1300/mo for a big double on the Hollywood & Koreatown border. Rosewood, Oakwood, etc... anything off Beverly and Western's fairly cheap, and pretty nice.

― x j e r e m y (x Jeremy), Saturday, 11 September 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Can anyone recommend some high-rises? I mean, affordable ones? I want an elevator, a laundry room & an exercise room.

I'm looking south this time, most probably Hyde Park.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Saturday, 11 September 2004 22:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm moving. To go to an as yet undetermined location (I applied to uni in five diferent cities, and will only know which one I got into Monday, after which I'll have about two weeks to hunt fer an apartment before sk00l starts), leaving the island that I've lived on for the last fourteen years (I'm 19). So, uhm, any general apartment huntin' advice, no matter how trivial or obvious it may seem, is welcome.

― Daniel_Rf (Daniel_Rf), Saturday, 11 September 2004 23:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, it might help if you said which cities. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 12 September 2004 12:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Kerry - thea lived in wilshire royale - I almost did, it looked nice.

― x j e r e m y (x Jeremy), Monday, 13 September 2004 05:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I found a really great place, but I'm not going to say where for privacy reasons. It is, um, in a high rise and has a lake view. No, I am not rich. It really must be a renter's market if I scored this.

I don't know why credit checks make me nervous. My credit is good. How should I report my income? Since I get a huge benefits package, should I include that in my reported income, or is that cheating? I mean, I can afford the place, but it's not quite 1/3 my salary (it's just a shade off - are they going to hold that against me?)

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:24 (twenty-one years ago)

don't report your benefits. Your landlord shouldn't care if it's 1/3rd your salary, probably wouldn't even care if it was 1/2.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

If you've got a job, they won't care. You're fine. We passed our credit check when I was unemployed (though Sarah had a job and has sparkling clean credit).

― n/a (Nick A.), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh wait, it doesn't matter. I forgot that I am about to get a raise and my rent is now much less than a third of my income anyway. My heart will be broken if I don't get this place. Lake views!

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:36 (twenty-one years ago)

good luck with it! Man I wish my rent was less than a third. Damn.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:37 (twenty-one years ago)

My half of the rent is a little less than a third of my monthly paycheck. But when I lived in Richmond, it was more like a fifth. But Richmond is boring, so there you go.

― n/a (Nick A.), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

my rent last time i rented in chicago was 60% of my paycheck

― amateur!!st, Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I lived by myself in Chicago and it was still around a third. I live with two other people here in NYC and my rent is now half.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Jeez, I read all of those financial planning articles and felt like a total failure because my rent was more than 25% of my income. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

Actually, something must have gone on with the rental market since the last time I moved, because this is a better apartment than any I've had, and the % of my income is lower. And it's not like it's a crappy building in a crappy neighborhood - I've rented from this landlord before.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Everyone told us that it's a renter's market in Chicago right now because so many people were moving to condos, which didn't cost that much more. It certainly seems to be the case, there are "for rent" signs on every block.

― n/a (Nick A.), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 20:54 (twenty-one years ago)

three years pass...

Somebody, just shoot me in the face and put me out of my misery.

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 21:58 (seventeen years ago)

http://i34.tinypic.com/241tpid.gif

― carne asada, Thursday, 10 July 2008 22:01 (seventeen years ago)

I thought I'd be looking forever - we got given notice recently which after being here 8 years is a real wrench to me. This place became home. The rental market in Melb is frightening at the moment. Vacancy rates as low as 0.5% in some areas like the inner city/inner suburbs. I thought we'd be fighting just to find a place at all, or have to compromise and end up in a scummy hole of a flat.

But then we succeeded in applying for a HOUSE! I almost died of shock. A 2 brm weatherboard fully-detached cottage at the end of a cul de sac, and its only 1600 a month. Woo!

― Trayce, Thursday, 10 July 2008 22:46 (seventeen years ago)

I LOVE this town but looking for an apartment here makes me hate it.

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 22:53 (seventeen years ago)

I have less than three weeks to find a place.

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 22:54 (seventeen years ago)

Whats rental like where you are? Do 30 people turn up to open for inspections like they do here? :/ Melb has a serious housing shortage problem (v high immigration and birth rates, and no one is buying so no one is building...)

― Trayce, Thursday, 10 July 2008 23:01 (seventeen years ago)

30 people, yeah. 30 fucking tattooed hipsters in expensive cars

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 23:03 (seventeen years ago)

30 "creatives"

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 23:03 (seventeen years ago)

30 alcoholics
30 sexual deviants
30 actors

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 23:04 (seventeen years ago)

my neighbours

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 23:04 (seventeen years ago)

a duck outside is laughing at me

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 23:09 (seventeen years ago)

Hahah ew fucking rich hipsters I hate them too :(

― Trayce, Thursday, 10 July 2008 23:16 (seventeen years ago)

I'd hate them more if we didn't so patently want the same thing

― admrl, Thursday, 10 July 2008 23:18 (seventeen years ago)

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