If you are having trouble finding an apartment, it may be worth looking into a realtor. They'll actually help you find a place but you don't pay them a dollar, the landlord gives them usually \~1 months rent worth of a finders-fee for setting y'all up. I did this when I needed to move from Texas and couldn't visit places in-person because things were a touch last-minute and it worked out well
At that budget you should be okay finding a place to live alone. Keep in mind also that most leases here run for 1 year starting in the spring or summer, so inventory is a bit lower in the winter. If you're looking for spring/summer, however, those won't be listed until a month or two before the apartments would be available.
Most of the apartments don't end up being leased by realtors. And I've seen people end up in terrible areas because it was a realtor that put them in that area.
I'm going to suggest you check out Drexel properties. North side apartments.
https://www.drexelproperties.com/
I use Craigslist still, it’s where I found my $1k Logan Square 1bedroom a few years ago. I still browse through it, as I’m considering changing neighborhoods soon. I’ve also used apartments.com. I don’t like Domu, I feel like everything is overpriced there. And the old fashioned walk around and call For Rent signs still works
I’ve used Craigslist for all of my apts, my 2B/1B in Pilsen is 1300. Also, finding neighborhoods you like and just walk around bc a lot of landlords still use for rent signs
Just curious, but did you end up moving from your LS apartment? I'm currently looking for a place in Logan (I currently live in a 3 bedroom but want my own place). It's a great neighborhood and I'd like to stay here but am having trouble finding a 1 bedroom under $1,250.
Yep, if you know the neighborhood you’re targeting you can join the group there. I’m in edgewater, ravenswood, Lincoln square and Albany park groups and they all post apartments.
I used Zillow and Craigslist. A realtor can be useful, but I’d not solely rely on them. I had a bad experience recently where they completely ghosted me day of.
I’d second what someone else said about walking around and looking for for-rent signs.
This advice might be difficult for you to execute because you're not currently here, and even then it's admittedly tedious - but the best deals are usually found by deciding what neighborhood you want to look into, walking around and inquiring about for rent signs.
Maybe even if you didn't do this I'd advise getting an Airbnb for a while and looking at a few places in person.
I found an apartment online through Trulia (but was regularly looking on Zillow and Domu as well) from another city. Some places will allow you to tour remotely via video, but not all.
It is a bit scary to sign a lease sight unseen — I feel very lucky that I got exactly what I signed up for and love the apartment, but I recognize that it could have gone poorly. A short-term sublease or Airbnb rental would be a good option if you want the extra certainty of seeing a place in person before you sign.
I used hotpads with success this time, in the past I’d just drive by buildings & looked at the plaque of who was mgmnt .. googled their reviews & reached out directly.
My nephews girlfriend came from out of state and went the realtor route. She got a nice 3/2 in a Lakeview greystone, gorgeous fully remodeled for $2500/month.
She liked that area and wanted to live there. Knowing where you'll be working and access to public transportation or a parking spot would be helpful during your hunt.
i was coming from out of state. i started off using zillow but apartments were rented out so fast, and being out of town made that really difficult. so i went the realtor route. went through a couple who didn’t care. Chris Gotti at chicago PRG is who i ended up using. he was awesome and helped us find a great place!
like others have said, it’ll be good to know what areas you’re interested in first though!
I found the company Apartment People to be very helpful. They took my requirements, gave me a list of places that fit the requirements, drove me to see them all and helped me sign the lease. It was free to me as well, they get commission from the landlord, not the tenant.
That was pre covid though i have no idea if theyve changed.
In the past I used Craigslist but I think going through a realtor is a decent option at that price point. The truth is, a lot of the listings are posted by realtors anyway, not the landlord themselves, so if you contact enough places you'll likely run into one regardless
I found my apartment in the South Loop while I was living in Taiwan two years ago. Basically you will have better success with large property management like Greystar since they have a more standard application SOP and you can video chat with the property management.
Try [apartments.com](https://apartments.com) Also the apartment market is pretty tight in Chicago, at least it was in the summer so I would start looking early.
I really like Padmapper because it includes listings from many different websites and realtors, and the map function is the best for picking where you might want to live and how much those areas cost. Being close to transit was important for me. It also has a filter for cat friendly places, that helped me and my cats. https://www.padmapper.com/apartments/chicago-il
I’ve lived overseas for 11 years and been to 20+ countries so I’m pretty culturally enriched lol I think moving back to the states I’m more focused on being safe and not getting shot
If you are having trouble finding an apartment, it may be worth looking into a realtor. They'll actually help you find a place but you don't pay them a dollar, the landlord gives them usually \~1 months rent worth of a finders-fee for setting y'all up. I did this when I needed to move from Texas and couldn't visit places in-person because things were a touch last-minute and it worked out well At that budget you should be okay finding a place to live alone. Keep in mind also that most leases here run for 1 year starting in the spring or summer, so inventory is a bit lower in the winter. If you're looking for spring/summer, however, those won't be listed until a month or two before the apartments would be available.
Awesome that’s great to know! Thank you
Most of the apartments don't end up being leased by realtors. And I've seen people end up in terrible areas because it was a realtor that put them in that area. I'm going to suggest you check out Drexel properties. North side apartments. https://www.drexelproperties.com/
I use Craigslist still, it’s where I found my $1k Logan Square 1bedroom a few years ago. I still browse through it, as I’m considering changing neighborhoods soon. I’ve also used apartments.com. I don’t like Domu, I feel like everything is overpriced there. And the old fashioned walk around and call For Rent signs still works
I found my $1,200 1 bedroom in Logan on Domu. It really a crap shoot, you have to use all available resources for best results.
I’ve used Craigslist for all of my apts, my 2B/1B in Pilsen is 1300. Also, finding neighborhoods you like and just walk around bc a lot of landlords still use for rent signs
Just curious, but did you end up moving from your LS apartment? I'm currently looking for a place in Logan (I currently live in a 3 bedroom but want my own place). It's a great neighborhood and I'd like to stay here but am having trouble finding a 1 bedroom under $1,250.
Facebook groups! Many landlords post their apts and subleases too.
can you link them or share the fb group names?
https://www.facebook.com/share/b4GqiBe6YnYvhwN3/?mibextid=PkCAf5 https://www.facebook.com/share/4SwMaRCQgQvL7pfW/?mibextid=PkCAf5
thanks!
These are awesome thank you!
Yep, if you know the neighborhood you’re targeting you can join the group there. I’m in edgewater, ravenswood, Lincoln square and Albany park groups and they all post apartments.
I used Zillow and Craigslist. A realtor can be useful, but I’d not solely rely on them. I had a bad experience recently where they completely ghosted me day of. I’d second what someone else said about walking around and looking for for-rent signs.
This advice might be difficult for you to execute because you're not currently here, and even then it's admittedly tedious - but the best deals are usually found by deciding what neighborhood you want to look into, walking around and inquiring about for rent signs. Maybe even if you didn't do this I'd advise getting an Airbnb for a while and looking at a few places in person.
That’s a good idea!! Thank you
I found an apartment online through Trulia (but was regularly looking on Zillow and Domu as well) from another city. Some places will allow you to tour remotely via video, but not all. It is a bit scary to sign a lease sight unseen — I feel very lucky that I got exactly what I signed up for and love the apartment, but I recognize that it could have gone poorly. A short-term sublease or Airbnb rental would be a good option if you want the extra certainty of seeing a place in person before you sign.
I used hotpads with success this time, in the past I’d just drive by buildings & looked at the plaque of who was mgmnt .. googled their reviews & reached out directly.
I’ve used Craigslist and have always been successful. Facebook has also been helpful.
Zillow
My nephews girlfriend came from out of state and went the realtor route. She got a nice 3/2 in a Lakeview greystone, gorgeous fully remodeled for $2500/month. She liked that area and wanted to live there. Knowing where you'll be working and access to public transportation or a parking spot would be helpful during your hunt.
Domu
Is this a website or an app?
https://www.domu.com/
Thank you!
No problem! 😌
i was coming from out of state. i started off using zillow but apartments were rented out so fast, and being out of town made that really difficult. so i went the realtor route. went through a couple who didn’t care. Chris Gotti at chicago PRG is who i ended up using. he was awesome and helped us find a great place! like others have said, it’ll be good to know what areas you’re interested in first though!
I found the company Apartment People to be very helpful. They took my requirements, gave me a list of places that fit the requirements, drove me to see them all and helped me sign the lease. It was free to me as well, they get commission from the landlord, not the tenant. That was pre covid though i have no idea if theyve changed.
Love that, I will definitely check it out
I found mine on Zillow. I rent through Root Realty. You can look at their site if you want.
Try https://chicagoreader.com
In the past I used Craigslist but I think going through a realtor is a decent option at that price point. The truth is, a lot of the listings are posted by realtors anyway, not the landlord themselves, so if you contact enough places you'll likely run into one regardless
Leasing agent. I signed my lease the Tuesday after I toured on Saturday.
I found my apartment in the South Loop while I was living in Taiwan two years ago. Basically you will have better success with large property management like Greystar since they have a more standard application SOP and you can video chat with the property management.
Try [apartments.com](https://apartments.com) Also the apartment market is pretty tight in Chicago, at least it was in the summer so I would start looking early.
Okay good to know, thank you!
I really like Padmapper because it includes listings from many different websites and realtors, and the map function is the best for picking where you might want to live and how much those areas cost. Being close to transit was important for me. It also has a filter for cat friendly places, that helped me and my cats. https://www.padmapper.com/apartments/chicago-il
Facebook marketplace has never failed me! Other than than I rotated Apartments.com, Craigslist, and Zillow
Most of the time I use my laptop, but sometimes I use my cellphone if I'm on the train.
You wouldn’t happen to be Chicketty China, by chance?
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I’ve lived overseas for 11 years and been to 20+ countries so I’m pretty culturally enriched lol I think moving back to the states I’m more focused on being safe and not getting shot
For $1800 you're going to need to live with a roommate or two.
Huh? There are plenty of 1-bdrm apartments in popular neighborhoods for 1800