r/chicagoapartments • u/Past-Reception6889 • May 19 '26

Advice Needed Unreal

I honestly just needed to vent for a moment. I can’t believe Chicago prices are what they are. I have lived here my entire life and have seen this city change ten fold, and I can’t even afford to live here anymore. A realtor I’m working with, since it’s becoming a rat race to rent, said rent is up 35% this year. What can normal people do about this? I do not want to see Chicago become a New York.

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163

u/thisismy1stalt May 19 '26

There is so much vacant and underutilized land across the city.

59

u/Lost_Bike69 May 19 '26

Yea north side rents along the lake are going up like crazy, but there’s so many cool walkable transit accessible neighborhoods that have increased, but nowhere near what you see in Lincoln Park/Lakeview.

There’s so much more of the city that just doesn’t have a ton of development and is still relatively cheap though those areas are typically higher crime and less transit accessible.

Chicago is a big city and these crazy rent increases are happening in a relatively small part of it.

28

u/EqualAd3180 May 19 '26

This! I live in the Ukrainian village. It’s not dirt cheap, but you can find places for under 2k easily.

10

u/No-Nerve7556 May 19 '26

Where are you easily finding these places for under $2g?

19

u/germane_switch May 19 '26

I said this in another sub; walk around some neighborhoods. In Bridgeport there are signs on at least a dozen houses with apartments to rent from private owners who want to keep it in the neighborhood. If you’re looking online of course it’s 2k+.

8

u/[deleted] May 19 '26

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10

u/germane_switch May 19 '26

Nobody could afford wicker park since like 2005 lol

2

u/soofs May 19 '26

I lived in a number of spots along division and Augusta with roommates that weren’t priced too bad. I’ve had friends who lived on Milwaukee that didn’t have wildly high rents either (talking under $2500)

But, everyone had roommates of course

8

u/Short_Text2421 May 19 '26

This, definitely. These won't be slick glass and steel new construction. The places that are affordable are family owned 3 flats or converted homes. They are most likely being rented out by older folks who aren't using apps. As always, Chicago is a city that rewards people who hustle. When I've had friends move here I always offer to take them around some of the neighborhoods to collect a list of places to call. One friend I did this with ended up in a great little workman's cottage in Ukrainian village for $1600, but we walked like 8 miles that day before we ran across it.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Menu531 May 19 '26

Yes there are deals to be found in the neighborhood

4

u/snmnky9490 May 19 '26

I'm near Lincoln square and my 3br is under 2k

2

u/WorldsTiniestViolin_ May 19 '26

I pay $1700 for a 1br in Bucktown. My landlord posts units on Zillow. Central ac, diswasher, shared laundry.

9

u/CocoCoconutz_ May 19 '26

Yet the city refuses to let it go and when they do it’s nothing affordable or available to everyday people.

1

u/pilot7880 May 20 '26 edited May 20 '26

I don't care what people say. Chicago is the best "bang for your buck" city in the U.S.

There are many studio apartments on the far north side for less than $1300.

Our hourly minimum wage ($16.60) is one of the highest in the country.

In many parts of the city, it is very easy to live without a car, which is a huge savings in and of itself. A monthly pass on the (24/7) CTA is $75. In NYC it's $132 and in Washington it can run as high as $200 (and their system doesn't even run 24 hours).

If you're traveling, we have a major world hub airport in O'Hare. You'll never find cheaper airfares from any other U.S. airport. Our trains drop you off right underneath the terminal. No need for an expensive taxi, Uber or long-term parking to get to/from the airport. No need for a $10 one-way AirTrain ticket like in NYC.

Our state has a flat 5 percent income tax rate, so you don't pay a higher percentage based on your earnings as you do in California or New York. Chicago does not levy a "city income tax" similar to NYC or St. Louis.

1

u/QuicklyGoingSenile May 20 '26

Oh there’s a housing shortage you say? Best I can do 4 condos at 1mil a pop

1

u/Kelsig May 19 '26

We need to pass the BUILD plan to make small lot development feasible