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Where can i find really cheap houses and apartments near chicago's west side? |
Travel Info Where can i find really cheap houses and apartments near chicago's west side? Travel Tips How do you define cheap and what are your standards? How do you define West Side? In general housing in Chicago is very expensive as compared to much of the rest of the country. The "west side" (Austin?) is an area in Chicago that is not really known for pricy housing however you may sacrifice proper living conditions for a low price. Check out chireader.com or craigslist.com for actual listings. Others If you want to live NEAR the West Side (as the previous person noted...living IN the West Side might not be a good idea) you can live in Oak Park. It borders Austin Blvd which is the end of the West Side of Chicago. The apartments and condos are much cheaper than in most of the city, but the neighborhoods are cleaner and safer than the West Side. It's a suburb that has based its own history on fighting to be diverse and to have equal opportunity housing. I'd check out the OPHA (Oak Park Housing Auth) it's free and they will try to find you an apartment or house based on your own wants and needs (even down to the age of the building). I got my first apartment through the OPHA and then bought a condo in Oak Park. I've been searching by zip code at realtor.com to get an idea of the relative housing costs in different neighborhoods in Chicago. I was interested in home prices along the green line (west) after overhearing a police officer near the Garfield Conservatory mention that, during their Chocolate Festival, it's difficult to tell that they were in one of the worst neighborhoods in Chicago. Let me make it clear that *I* am not saying that this is the worst neighborhood in Chicago, I'm not all that familiar with the area. Condos along the green line were significantly less expensive than in my Lakeview neighborhood, but I don't know what you'd consider "cheap." You could probably find a nice 2 bedroom 2 bath for the mid to upper 200's (with parking). After hearing that comment from the police officer, I would definitely do a little research before committing to the neighborhood (or any neighborhood). You may be able to find less expensive housing further west, but still in the city. In addition, you may consider looking into a "VA repo" or a HUD home. You can get more information on these types of sales at the agency websites. Keep in mind, these types of homes are often sold "as is," but they should disclose any known issues (mold, pests, roof issues, etc.). If you or someone you know is handy and you can get the funds to fix up one of these homes, you can get a good deal. |
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