FINDING THE RIGHT PLACE Columbia College Chicago Relocation Guide
WELCOME TO OUR RELOCATION GUIDE! THIS IS A HANDY RESOURCE THAT CAN HELP YOU AS YOU SEARCH FOR YOUR SWEET HOME, HERE IN CHICAGO. So, you’re looking to move to Chicago, eh? We made this guide specifically for students seeking off-campus housing (i.e., an apartment, condo, or small home outside of the South Loop) and we hope what’s in here can assist you as you navigate your home search across Chicago. In this guide, you’ll find ways to decode rental listings, details about the different neighborhoods and areas that make up this big-shouldered city, things to keep in mind when reading a lease, as well as some free apartment-finding resources. But first, indulge us for a moment while we talk about Columbia’s amazing on-campus housing. We understand that you want to jump into this experience feet first, starting your studies in the field of your dreams while also setting up your very own “city apartment,” however we think that you just might benefit from first spending a year in Columbia’s on-campus housing and we’d like to tell you why… YOU WANT A CITY APARTMENT? WHY NOT LIVE IN ONE OF OURS? Out of all the spaces available in Columbia’s residence life facilities, more than 75% of them are in apartment-style spaces. And we’re not talking about the kind of apartment you’re going to find that’s a train ride away from campus in a building where you won’t have anything in common with your neighbors. We’re talking about fully furnished apartments in the heart of the South Loop, where you’ll live with your peers—other creatively-minded people, pursuing what they love—so close to campus that when you roll out of bed in the morning, you’ll already be halfway to class. Apartments with full kitchens and all utilities included. Buildings with all the amenities you could need— including possibly (depending on the building!) a computer lab, music practice rooms, an art studio, a fitness center, lounges and sun decks. Now, before you start the challenging process of finding your own city apartment, why not first take the time to get to know Chicago better whilst living right on Columbia’s campus?
Visit colum.edu/residencelife to watch video tours, read descriptions of our buildings, and explore different room types.
WHAT’S INSIDE: Moving to Chicago
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An Overview of Chicago
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Rent Ranges
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Neighborhoods & Commuting
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Reading Rental Listings
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Viewing an Apartment
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Fair Housing & Renter’s Insurance
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Additional Resources
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MOVING TO CHICAGO Depending on what you’re looking for, it can take anywhere from three days to several weeks to find an apartment. We recommend that students who are moving to Chicago visit for a weekend of apartment hunting. We know this can be quite expensive with airfare, lodging and car rental, but it’s worth the effort. Renting by phone is extremely risky—it’s important to see places in person and check out things like building security, distance to transportation and grocery stores, what the surrounding area is like, etc. Some of the best apartments you can find in the city are either advertised online—on websites like Domu, Apartment People, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace—or are posted on buildings around different neighborhoods. If there’s a specific neighborhood or area you like, you could spend a day driving around, scanning the “For Rent” signs, and contacting landlords to set up viewings. Some students will pack everything they own and move here before finding an apartment. This is an option as some places are available immediately, but it’s not recommended. If you have to move here and bring everything with you, we suggest making temporary housing arrangements (whether in a hotel, an Airbnb, or a sublet) until you find your permanent location.
AN OVERVIEW OF CHICAGO Chicago is a grid-oriented city, divided into north, south, east, and west sections, with Lake Michigan serving as a main point of direction. No matter where you are in the city, remember that the lake is always east! Columbia College Chicago’s main building is located at 200 East and 600 South (600 South Michigan Ave.). One of our Residence Centers, The Dwight, is located at 642 S. Clark St.—therefore, it is four blocks west and about a half a block south of the main building. Madison Ave. is considered Zero North/South and State St. is considered Zero East/West. Both of these streets are located in the Chicago Loop downtown area. Every eight blocks is approximately one mile. So, the higher the address is from 600 South and 200 East, the further away you will be from campus. Columbia is located just a few blocks from the lake, so you will likely be moving to the west of campus. Our campus is readily served by the L (elevated train) and bus systems. There’s a Red Line stop (Harrison) only two blocks from the main building, and a Blue Line stop (LaSalle) four blocks away. The Orange, Purple, Green and Brown lines all stop at Adams and Wabash, which is approximately four blocks away from the main building.
For more information about Chicago’s transit system, visit the Chicago Transit Authority website at transitchicago.com. 2
RENT RANGES* Neighborhood
Studio
1-Bedroom
2-Bedroom
$1,500–$2,200
$1,700–$2,500
$2,300–$3,700
$1,700–$2,200 $1,700–$2,400 $1,400–$2,700
$2,100–$2,800 $2,100–$3,700 $1,900–$3,500
$2,700–$3,700 $3,000–$6,800 $3,000–$6,800
$1,100–$1,700 $995–$1,400 $1,200–$2,400
$1,300–$2,200 $1,400–$1,900 $1,300–$2,700
$1,600–$3,200 $1,700–$3,300 $1,400–$4,100
$925 $650–$825 $765–$995 $725–$1,200
$1,400–$2,100 $900–$1,300 $975–$1,400 $975–$1,700
$1,600–$2,500 $1,300–$1,700 $1,200–$2,000 $1,700–$2,300
$1,400–$1,900
$1,500–$1,800 $980–$2,200 $1,400–$2,200 $1,200–$2,000
$1,400–$1,900 $1,600–$2,600 $1,500–$2,100 $1,400–$2,100
$865–$1,100 $895–$1,100
$1,400 $1,200–$1,500 $1,300–$1,400
$1,500–$2,300 $1,600–$2,000 $1,600–$2,500
$1,200–$2,000 $910–$1,400
$1,700–$2,500 $1,100–$1,900
$2,100–$3,700 $1,500–$1,800
$900–$1,000 $950
$1,100–$1,500 $1,300
$2,300–$2,400 $1,400–$1,500
SOUTH LOOP
South Loop NEAR NORTH SIDE
Streeterville River North Old Town NORTH
Lincoln Park Lakeview Wrigleyville FAR NORTH
Andersonville Rogers Park Edgewater Uptown NEAR WEST
Ukranian Village Wicker Park Bucktown Logan Square
$1,400–$1,600
NORTHWEST
Roscoe Village Ravenswood Lincoln Square SOUTH
Hyde Park Bronzeville SOUTHWEST
Pilsen Bridgeport
*Rent ranges quoted from domu.com & zumper.com 3
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUTES Chicago is the definition of a “neighborhoody city”—seriously! Most Chicago locals consider themselves Chicagoans, of course, but they might also tell you what neighborhood they live in as a way of further identifying themselves. Different areas have different vibes, and before you know it, you may be pulled towards a few special spots in town that suit your personality best. No matter the scene—edgy nightlife, settled family streets, artsy areas, bougie boulevards, LGBTQIA+ havens, historical high rises—every neighborhood in this city offers something special to those who move in and call it home. We’re highlighting some notable “landmarks” you should know in each pocket of Chicago, along with relevant train lines and commute times to give you an idea of how long you’ll be traveling to Columbia’s campus from wherever you stay. Pro tip: Give yourself extra time (for walking or transferring) when taking public transportation!
Central (The Loop)
Near West
Walk to campus: 0–15 minutes
Blue Line to campus: 15–20 minute ride
Landmarks: Willis Tower, Grant Park, The Bean
Landmarks: Fulton Market, MilwaukeeDamen-North Intersection, Chicago French Market
Near North Red Line to campus: 10–15 minute ride
Northwest
Landmarks: Navy Pier, John Hancock Building, The Chicago Theatre
Blue Line/Brown Line/Red Line to campus: 25–35 minute ride
North
Landmarks: The 606, Historic Boulevards, Joong Boo Market
Red Line/Brown Line to campus: 20–30 minute ride
South
Landmarks: Lincoln Park Zoo, Wrigley Field, Lakefront Trail Far North Red Line to campus: 35–45 minute ride Landmarks: Aragon Ballroom, Public Beaches (Hollywood, Foster, Montrose), Asia on Argyle
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Red Line to campus: 25–35 minute ride Landmarks: Guaranteed Rate Field, Museum of Science and Industry, Washington Park Southwest Pink Line to campus: 15–20 minute ride Landmarks: National Museum of Mexican Art, Thalia Hall, 18th Street
READING RENTAL LISTINGS Here’s an example of an apartment listing and how to decipher what it means: 1BR LINCOLN PARK, HIGH CEILINGS, WD. FLOORS, GARDEN 2-FLAT. REF. REQ. 1MO DEPOSIT. NO PETS. WA/HEAT INCL. 1234 WRIGHTWOOD. CALL 555-312-1773.
This is a one-bedroom garden apartment in a Lincoln Park two-flat. The apartment has wood flooring and ceilings likely higher than 10 feet. The landlord requires at least one reference from a previous landlord and one month’s rent paid upfront as a deposit. Pets are not allowed, and water and heat are included in the monthly rental price of the apartment. Having the address of the unit allows you the opportunity to drive past the property to check out the building and the neighborhood. SOME MORE HINTS AND TERMS TO KNOW WHEN READING RENTAL ADS: 2-flat or 3-flat
Heat incl.
Stand-alone buildings that are 2 or 3 stories tall. Usually, all of the apartments in the building take up a full floor.
Heat included. Whenever possible, put any heat-included apartments at the top of your viewing list. Heating an apartment can become a huge cost during Chicago’s often 6-month-long winter, and it can easily increase your living costs by $200 a month. If you must choose between a heat-included apartment for $1,250 and an apartment without heat included for $1,200, the heated apartment is probably a much better deal even though it looks more expensive on paper.
Courtyard building Medium-sized, U-shaped buildings that surround a courtyard. They’re larger than 2- or 3-flats but are likely to have the same kind of charm. Garden apartment An apartment that is mostly below ground level so that your windows have an ant’s eye view of the garden or sidewalk. Not as bright as above-ground apartments, but these are also usually cheaper because they’re slightly less desirable. Close to transportation This is a subjective term, and you should take it upon yourself to figure out what this means. How close is close? One block? Eight blocks? What kind of transportation is nearby? A bus stop? Train stop? Or does “close” mean the L train is literally rumbling next to your bedroom window?
Water or appliances incl. Water or appliances are included here. In general, these things are included with most Chicago apartments. Some apartments with laundry in the building have quarter-operated machines, so make sure to factor that into your decision. Be wary of any listing that charges tenants for water or other appliances.
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VIEWING AN APARTMENT Once you find apartments to view, there are important questions you should be ready to ask and certain situations to keep in mind. It also never hurts to do some research on the landlord or management company you’re interested in renting from before signing a lease! LEASES Most rental leases are at least 12 months long. If you don’t need an apartment for 12 months, you should either consider living on campus at Columbia or prepare to talk down the lease term length with the landlord. Read over the lease very carefully, as they typically contain many different rules and regulations. If you do not understand any of the lease’s stipulations, ask about it. If you’re still not sure, ask if you can sleep on it for the night—but, know that the landlord does have the right to lease the apartment to another renter during your thinking-it-over time. Contact your current landlord, parents, a real estate professional, or someone who deals with contracts and ask for their guidance on the denser parts in the lease. It’s always best to know exactly what your responsibilities are before moving into a new place. Make sure you get any agreements between you and your landlord in writing. To protect yourself, inspect the apartment with the landlord prior to moving in to check for damage and have this list of damages added to your lease. This way you both acknowledge that these problems existed before you moved in, and you are not responsible for them. Ask about who will be financially responsible for making repairs, painting, re-decorating, or other improvements, and make sure to get it in writing if it’s not already in the lease. UTILITIES When looking for an apartment, payment of all utilities is the responsibility of the person renting the apartment, unless otherwise stated. These bills can add up and make a difference in the affordability of an apartment. It is important that you know the estimated cost ranges of these bills before signing the lease. Local utility companies should be able to provide you with an estimate of how much the bills run for a particular apartment. Most apartments include water, garbage pickup, and appliances at no additional cost to the renter.
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ROOMMATES Having roommates can make living in Chicago far more affordable and a bit less lonely, especially right when you get here! No matter how you find a roommate or even if you know them prior to signing a lease together, it’s very important to come to an agreement on issues like cleaning, quiet times, privacy, guest visitation, shared items, and bills as soon as possible to make sure they don’t become a problem later. We also recommend looking for potential roommates on Columbia’s Facebook group for your class. You’ll be able to connect and break the ice over the common bond of being Columbia creatives, taking similar classes, sharing interests, and everything in between.
FAIR HOUSING Fair housing is a right protected by federal and state law. Fair housing means you may freely choose a place to live, limited only by what you can afford and what you’re seeking. Your choice should not be limited based on your race, sex, color, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, or source of income. It is a violation of the law when a landlord, agent, or other housing employee discriminates against you for any of the previously listed identifiers, AND if they do any of the following:
▶ Refuses to rent an available apartment to you if you are otherwise qualified.
▶ Tells you untruthfully that an apartment is not for rent. Watch lines like, “I rented just after you called.”
▶ Sets or enforces lease terms, privileges or conditions that are not required for other tenants. Watch out for tactics like having to pay a larger security deposit.
▶ Refuses to make reasonable accommodation for your disability. Watch out for excuses like “My insurance will go up.”
▶ Sexually harasses you. ▶ Tells you that the building has a policy of “adults only” or “no teenagers” or that families with children can occupy only certain apartments. Watch out for rules like “only one person per bedroom.”
▶ Intimidates you or retaliates in any way against you for exercising your fair housing rights or assisting another in doing so.
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RENTER’S INSURANCE Once you move out of your guardian’s home (even if you’re moving into the residence halls instead of an apartment), it can be wise to obtain renter’s insurance. Most people are not covered by their landlord’s policy, so it’s in your best interest to get your own if you’d like that assurance and peace of mind. Most policies for students are for unfurnished properties and cover high-theft items like televisions, stereos, computers, bikes and jewelry. Policies will vary according to the insurance company, so it’s best to contact several insurance agencies and get different quotes. Contact the Insurance Information Institute at 800-331-9146 or visit iii.org for more consumer information and resources about renter’s insurance.
OTHER QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER These are some other important things to answer before falling completely headover-heels in love with the first apartment you see. Know that there might be some heartbreak when you don’t get the first place you want, so don’t say we didn’t warn you!
▶ Is the apartment within walking distance from campus? If not, is it within a reasonable walking distance to the nearest public transportation? How long is the total commute to campus, including walking time?
▶ If you plan to ride a bike to school (plenty of people do, this is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country), how long will that ride take? Does the apartment provide a place for you to securely store your bike?
▶ How is the water pressure in the bathroom? In the kitchen? Turn the water on while walking through—this isn’t rude, no one will be offended.
▶ Is there enough storage space? Closets? Any secure storage space in the basement provided for tenants?
▶ What kind of security does the building have? Door buzzers? Special locks? Front or back gates? 8
▶ Is there any previous damage in the unit? Some apartments require a security deposit upon move-in, so cover your bases by taking notes or pictures of anything that looks like it might’ve been caused by previous tenants during your apartment visit. Documenting previous damage might come in handy during your future move-out.
▶ Do you see a fire extinguisher anywhere in the apartment? Fire alarms? If you don’t, ask. Both should be provided for you and be in good working condition.
▶ Are you aware of your renter’s rights? We highly recommend checking out the Housing section on the City of Chicago’s website at chicago.gov for further information and resources, as their site goes into far more detail than we can here.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES APARTMENT FINDING WEBSITES Start your apartment search on any of the sites listed below. We’d recommend writing down a few of your must-have apartment needs to help filter through the listings (number of bedrooms, price point, laundry in the building, etc.). Keep track of any questions that come up, note the pros and cons in each listing you like, and come prepared once you start scheduling viewings.
▶ Domu
domu.com
▶ Apartment People
apartmentpeople.com
▶ Craigslist
chicago.craigslist.org
▶ The Apartment Source
apartmentsourcechicago.com
▶ Apartments.com
Local news outlets
▶ Chicago Reader
chicagoreader.com
▶ The Chicago Tribune
chicagotribune.com
▶ Block Club Chicago
blockclubchicago.org
▶ The Chicago Sun-Times
chicago.suntimes.com
apartments.com
▶ Zumper
zumper.com
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Questions? We’re here to help. admissions@colum.edu 312-369-7130 @ColumAdmit
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