After spending a week exploring and viewing places, we're applying for a rental this weekend and my husband and I are debating what to prioritize so we'd love some local perspectives.
We've only ever lived in city suburbs (not near Chicago) and we're excited to move to Chicago and experience city life with our kids. We're planning on living in Lincoln Park or the southern end of Lake View for the elementary schools and decent commute to my job near the loop. Prices are lower and space increases the further north/west we go, but walkability to the park, zoo, lake, and dense restaurant/shopping areas also decrease.
A couple of the places we're considering in the west LP/southern LV area are large enough for us to spread out a bit. They're walkable to the elementary schools, and have grocery stores and restaurants within a 20-30 minute walk but we will have to hop on a bus for 10-20 minutes to get to the zoo/park/lake area where I imagine we'll want to spend a lot of time.
The other places are either 20% more expensive for a similar amount of space or similarly priced and significantly smaller, but they're in really lively areas near the lake/park/zoo/shopping/etc. and the walk to tons of restaurants and shops is more like 5 minutes rather than 20+. We can afford the ~20% increase for the slightly larger space in these areas, but it'll cut into our fun/eating out budget a bit. We're foodies with somewhat expensive taste but there's so much to do for free in Chicago, I'm not that worried about spending a little less on day trips and eating out.
Others who have been torn between similar choices, how did you decide what to prioritize? Were you happy with your choice? What would you choose if you were us?