Title: Sweet Home, ChicagO
1Sweet Home, Chicag-O
The Notre Dame Club of Chicago 2009
2Table of Contents
- Notre Dame Club of Chicago
- Notre Dame Young Alumni in Chicago
- How to find an Apartment Chicago Neighborhood
Guide - Rent Guide
- How to get around Chicago
- Shopping in Chicago
- Working Out
- Tourist Attractions
- Top Lists Salons, Churches, Restaurants, Bars,
Clubs, etc. - Chicago Sports Cubs vs. Sox
- What should I know before moving to Chicago?
- Annual Chicago Calendar
- Movies set in Chicago
- Miscellaneous Radio, Internet, Phone, Cable,
Parking, Moving, etc.
3The Notre Dame Club of Chicago
- The Notre Dame Club of Chicago is the largest ND
Alumni Club with over 16,000 ND Alums in the
Chicagoland area - The mission of the ND Club of Chicago is to raise
funds for the ND Club of Chicago Scholarship
Foundation and for the sponsorship of Summer
Service Projects in Chicago for current ND
students - The club provides service opportunities, alumni
networking, continuing education through lecture
series, a chance to purchase ND football tickets
outside of the ND Lottery, and social events
throughout the year - E-mail newsletters once a week to keep Alums
updated on upcoming events - Club Director Kristin Lund 00
- Club email ndclubadmin_at_earthlink.net
- Club website www.ndchicago.org
- Club Address 224 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 380,
Chicago, IL 60604 - Club Phone (312) 922-4663
4Young Alumni
- The Young Alumni have their own committee to
organize events geared towards the 0 10 years
out of undergrad crew. - Monthly events Book Club
- Periodic events Pub Crawls, YA Mass, Brewery
Tours, Bowling Night, Happy Hours - Yearly events Boat Cruise
- All events are published in the weekly ND Club of
Chicago Newsletter under the Young Alum
heading. We usually give 2 weeks notice on all
events. Events are also updated on Facebook. - Any Young Alums who are members of the ND Club of
Chicago are encouraged to attend events and
participate in the committee. - If you would like to get involved with the Young
Alumni committee or if you have ANY questions
about moving to Chicago, contact Meghan Desmond
at ndchicagoya_at_yahoo.com.
5How to Find an Apartment
- There are various free apartment finding services
located throughout Chicago. - They get paid with a percentage of your final
rent price by the people who list the available
apartments. (They will try to push you towards
higher rent so they get a higher fee at the
end.)? - Be very specific of your absolute highest price
which should include rent car, or just rent
based on your situation. - Be very specific about distance away from
work/school. Make sure you try your commute
during the same hours you will be commuting each
day before you agree to an apartment. - Pay attention to available public transportation
near all of the buildings you view. If a train
runs near the building, wait in the unit until a
train passes to determine how loud it might be. - With all services, you can search on their site
based on neighborhoods, rent requirements,
amenities, lease start dates, etc. - It is recommended that you start looking 6-8
weeks before your expected move-in date.
Landlords are notified 2 months before the end of
a lease whether the current tenant will be moving
out. - Be sure to bring a camera and notebook with you
take pictures of all rooms, and the common areas
so you remember what each looked like when you
are later comparing things. Be sure to take
notes on Pros / Cons / Rent / Parking / What is
included in rent price / Extra amenities.
6How to Find an Apartment
- Chicago Apartment Finders
- Phone 1-888-Finders Website
www.chicagoapartmentfinders.com - Locations
- 906 W. Belmont Ave. (Lakeview Area)?
- 818 N. State St. (Downtown Area)?
- 1504 E. 53rd St. (Hyde Park Area)?
- Apartment People
- Locations Website www.apartmentpeople.com
- 3121 N. Broadway (Lakeview Area) 773-248-8800
- 51 W. Huron (River North / Downtown
Area) 312-335-8802 - 619 Grove (Evanston, IL) 847-733-8800
- Apartment Savvy
- Phone 773-348-8921 Website
www.apartmentsavvy.com - Locations
- 2835 N. Clark St (Lakeview Area)?
- The Apartment Guys
- Locations Website apartmentguysofchicago.com
- 1652 W. Belmont Ave (Lakeview Area) 773-549-3474
- 125 W. North Ave (Gold Cost Area) 312-440-8530
7How to Find an Apartment
- Other useful websites to search
- www.rent.com - Nationwide online rental database
- www.chicagoreader.com - Chicago-specific online
database for renters and buyers - www.walkscore.com - Assigns a score for the
walkability of an address. If you're not
planning on having a car, this is a good resource
to check once you've found an apartment you like.
Shows nearby grocery stores, parks, restaurants,
post offices, bars, movie theatres, and many more - www.rentometer.com - Find out if the rent charged
for your apartment is too high or too low based
on the address and number of bedrooms/bathrooms - www.housingmaps.com - Google Maps meets Craig's
List in this interactive map of available
properties nationwide - www.chicagotribune.com Chicago Tribune has a
section on Apartments listed by neighborhood.
This is a good place to start getting an idea for
where you want to live.
8Neighborhoods North Side
- The City of Chicago is known for its distinct
neighborhoods. . - Most Young Alums live on the North and Northwest
side of the city. Some neighborhoods in the
South are becoming more popular South Loop,
Kenwood, and Hyde Park. - Click Here for more information about the
neighborhoods including demographics and public
transit information in each neighborhood.
9Chicago Neighborhoods
- Downtown/Loop
- Close to work short commute
- Mostly high rise apartments
- Hustle and bustle of white collar workers during
the week and tourists during the weekends - Not a very lively nightlife after the post-work
happy hours have ended - Near to many of the museums and attractions of
Chicago (including Millennium Park and the
Magnificent Mile)?
- River West
- Home to many charming traditional family-owned
restaurants, bakeries, and flower and produce
stands. - Up and coming neighborhood
- Located on the west bank of the Chicago River and
mostly consists of two-and three-flats along
tree-lined streets.. - L Blue Line Chicago, Grand Green Line
Ashland, Clinton
- West Loop
- Experiencing a lot of growth and development
people are seeking properties that enable them to
live close to Chicagos downtown. - Home to the United Center Bulls and Blackhawks.
- Home to Harpo Studios where Oprah Winfrey
records her shows. - Mix of lofts, galleries, photographers and
graphic design firms. - L Blue Line Racine, UIC-Halsted, Clinton
- South Loop
- Slightly south of Downtown.
- Has been developing since the early 80s 3 main
neighborhoods Dearborn Park, Printers Row and
Central Station. - Home to an annual book fair.
- Home to Soldier Field, Field Museum, Shedd
Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and Buckingham
Fountain - L Green Line, Red Line, Orange Line Roosevelt
- Hyde Park
- South of Downtown.
- Home to the University of Chicago and the Museum
of Science and Industry. - Historic homes and landmarks mixed with two-and
three-flats and affordable student-friendly
housing. - Famous 53rd street strip offers plenty of
shopping and restaurants. - No L buses provide connections to the L and
there is a Metra station available for a quick
commute into the downtown.
10Chicago Neighborhoods
Most Popular for Young Grads
- Old Town
- Affluent and historic neighborhood, home to many
of Chicagos older, Victorian-era buildings. - Home to the famed Second City improvisational
comedy troupe. - Home to the annual Old Town Art-Fair in early
June. - L Brown Line, Purple Line - Sedgwick
- Lincoln Park
- Has a lot of trendy boutiques, coffee shops,
restaurants, theaters and cinemas including the
world-famous Steppenwolf Theatre and Chicagos
off-Loop theater district. - Named for the park the neighborhood borders,
Lincoln Park encompasses over 1000 acres of
public park including a free world-class zoo,
golf driving range, baseball fields and paths for
running. - Housing types townhouses, condos, Victorian
3-flats, and high-rises that border the lake. - L Brown, Purple and Red Lines many stops
- Lakeview
- Vibrant neighborhood infused with nightclubs and
restaurants. One of the most active areas of
Chicago with the highest concentration of 24 34
year olds in the country. - Many buildings in this area are Graystones or
brick two-and three-flats, also many high-rises
bordering the lake. - Sub neighborhoods Wrigleyville, Boys Town
- Home of Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs!
- L Brown, Purple and Red Lines - many stops
- River North
- Short commute to Loop 10 minutes
- Home to the largest concentration of art
galleries in the US outside Manhattan. - Subsections of the area gallery district,
theme-restaurant area (touristy), Cathedral
District (Holy Name Cathedral Catholic, St.
James Cathedral, Episcopal), a design district
(Merchandise Mart), and Kingsbury Park - L Brown Line, Purple Line - Merchandise Mart
- Gold Coast
- Wealthiest neighborhood in Chicago, second only
to Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York. - Consists of high-rise apartment/condo buildings
on Lake Shore Drive facing Lake Michigan and
low-rise residential blocks further inland. - Popular Bars on Division between State and
Dearborn - Restaurants Many along Rush
- L Red Line Clark Division, Chicago State
11Chicago Neighborhoods
Most Popular for Young Grads
- Roscoe Village
- Has a small-town feel.
- Restaurant and shopping district on Roscoe St
stretching from Damen to Western Ave. - Antique Row largest concentration of antique
stores in the Midwest. - Home to the annual Retro on Roscoe in late
August features a vintage car show, bands and
art, jewelry and craft booths. - L Brown Line Addison, Paulina
- Buck Town
- Made up of many new condo buildings and formerly
humble cottages now sporting skylights. - Gallery Point is the areas central art colony.
- Home to the annual Bucktown Arts Fest held every
August which attracts 30,000 people. - Small neighborhood bars and restaurants are found
on every corner - L Blue Line California, Western, Damen
- Wicker Park
- Eclectic neighborhood with an emphasis on
performance art, music and theater that attracts
an offbeat crowd. - Mix of chic boutiques, galleries and trendy
restaurants which results in a vibrant, dynamic
neighborhood. - Housing consists of single-family homes and
two-and three-flats. - L Blue Line Western, Damen, Division
- Ravenswood
- Area is known for its many parks and Lincoln
Square. - Shopping is a mixture of independent, unique
businesses with diverse selection of European and
American merchandise. - Housing ranges from large Victorian homes,
spacious vintage apartments in courtyard
buildings. - L Brown Line Rockwell, Western, Damen,
Montrose, Irving Park
- Streeterville
- Not actually part of the original City of Chicago
- built up by dumping debris on a sandbar in Lake
Michigan now the most expensive real estate in
Chicago - Has some of Chicagos tallest skyscrapers,
Northwesterns School of Medicine and School of
Law. - Home to Navy Pier and the Museum of Contemporary
Art - No L only buses for public transportation
12Unofficial Rent Range
13Rent Guide
- Factors High Rent
- View better view, any view of water higher
price - Washer and Dryer in unit
- Age of building (new or newly renovated)
- Doorman or Secured Entry
- Attached covered parking (usually separate price,
but increases rent on unit) - Proximity to public transportation
- New appliances
- Corner units
- Balconies/Patios
- Amenities of the building pool, exercise room,
dry cleaner, convenience mart, etc
- Factors Low Rent
- Street Parking
- Age of appliances and bathroom features
- Age of building (not renovated recently)
- Proximity to public transportation either very
close (can hear the train passing) or very far
away (more than ¾ mile walk) - Reputation of Management Company / Landlord
- Availability to Section 8 Tenants
- Amount of utilities that come separate
- Volume of traffic on nearby streets / How loud
area is on weekends - Length of commute to the Loop TEST YOUR COMMUTE
BEFORE YOU SIGN!
- Possible Extras
- Water (many buildings include this in rent)
- Electric (ranges based on time of year)
- Cable (some buildings include or get a discount)
- Phone/Internet (some buildings will include or
get a discount) - Gas (depends on if your unit has it)
- Parking (depends on covered v. non-covered,
attached v. not) - Security deposit usually equal to one year of
rent
14How to get around Chicago
- Chicago Transit Authority CTA
- www.transitchicago.com
- The CTA website listed above allows you to input
starting address and destination address and
gives you suggested transit lines based on times
VERY HELPFUL! - The L (Because it's largely eLevated and goes
around the Loop)? - 8 lines - Red Line runs far North to far South
- Orange Line Loop to Midway Airport
- Blue Line Loop and West to OHare Airport
- Buses hundreds of bus lines
- CTA provides transportation within the city of
Chicago - Metra Suburban Rail
- The Metra provides transportation from the
suburbs into the city of Chicago. There are some
Metra stations that are in the city limits. - www.metrarail.com
- Pace Suburban buses
- Walking
15CTA
- Three ways to pay
- Cash/Transit Card
- Need exact change on buses (currently 2.25 for
cash)? - Can load money onto a card at L stops. 2 per
ride for bus, 2.25 per ride for train - Chicago Card Plus
- Linked directly to credit card or work-sponsored
transportation account - Can have 80 monthly unlimited pass or put a
dollar amount on card - Chicago Card
- Can only load value at L stops with cash
16Shopping in Chicago
- Michigan Avenue Magnificent Mile
- State Street
- Macy's (previously Marshall Fields)?
- Urban Outfitters, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, etc.
- Elston Clybourn Streets
- Run parallel to river in the near north/northwest
- Larger national chains here
- Target, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, Best
Buy, Staples, etc. - Armitage Halsted intersection
- Roosevelt Corridor
- 87th Dan Ryan
17Furnishing your New Apartment
- While there are many national chains located
within the city of Chicago (Home Depot, Bed Bath
Beyond, etc), you may want to go to the suburbs
to find all you need for you new apartment. - Parking is much easier (and free)
- Tax is less (in the city 10.25!)
- Can go to many stores on the same strip whereas
they are not as close in the city - Best place to go, close to the city Schaumburg
closest Ikea! Also Pier 1, Bed, Bath and
Beyond, Home Depot, Value City Furnishings, etc. - Need ideas? www.rentaldecorating.com
18Working Out
- Lakefront biking/running path for 18 miles. Each
half mile is marked. - Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) sponsors
training and social events for runners - Accenture Triathlon in August is largest in the
country - There are many gyms at which to work out either
near home, work, or both - Lakeshore Athletic Club
- Lifetime Fitness
- Crunch Fitness
- Bally's
- World Gym
- David Barton Gym
19Tourist Attractions
Skyline Guide Part 1
South
20Tourist Attractions
Skyline Guide Part 2
North and East
21Tourist Attractions
Magnificent Mile
- Magnificent Mile the stretch of North Michigan
Avenue between the Chicago River and Oak Street
(actually ¾ of a mile). - A mixture of high-class stores, restaurants,
office buildings and hotels - Highest concentration of citys major media firms
and advertising agencies - Water Tower serves as the Chicago Convention
and Tourism Bureau Visitors Welcome Center on
North Michigan Avenue - Gained notoriety after the Great Chicago Fire in
1871 one of the few buildings to survive - Water Tower Place contains an 8-floor Mall with
over 100 shops and department stores - John Hancock Tower on North Michigan Avenue
- Contains the highest residences in the world with
over 700 condos - The building also houses offices and restaurants
- Restaurant on the 95th floor GREAT views of
Chicago The Signature Room on the 95th Floor - Most famous tenants Chris Farley, Jerry Springer
- Hosts an annual stair climb race Hustle up the
Hancock usually held the last Sunday of
February (record time 9 minutes, 38 sec 2008) - Drake Hotel most famous hotel in Chicago
- Now a part of the Hilton Family of Hotels
- Overlooks Lake Michigan, built in 1920
22Tourist Attractions
Art, Music, and Museums
- Museums
- Adler Planetarium
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago Historical Society
- The Field Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Shedd Aquarium
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Theatre and Music
- Lyric Opera
- Chicago Symphony
- Broadway in Chicago
- Goodman Theater
23Tourist Attractions
Outdoors / Parks
- Brookfield Zoo
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Navy Pier
- Lincoln Park
- Grant Park
- Millennium Park
- Lollapalooza music festival hosted annually in
the summer - Ice skating rink in the winter
- Outdoor music pavilions including free symphonic
performances
24Top Lists Salons
- Orbit Salon
- 3481 N. Clark St (773) 883-1166 - Lakeview
- 2222 W. North Ave (773) 227 1166 Wicker
Park - Issues
- 3958 S. Cottage Grove (773) 924-2887
- Swerve Salon
- 1219 N. Wells St. 2 - (312) 255 0255 Old
Town - Salon Buzz
- 310 W. Superior St (312) 943 5454 River
North
25Top Lists Doctors
- Depends on your Health Coverage
- Northwestern Medical Physicians Group
www.nmpg.org - You can narrow by specialty
- You can search by name
- There are also doctors affiliated with certain
hospitals that you can go to as well. - This subject is under development!
26Top Lists Churches
27Top Lists Churches
28Top Lists Restaurants
Italian Bice 158 E. Ontario St. Ballo 445 N.
Dearborn St. La Gondola 2914 N. Ashland Pazzo's
100 S. Wacker Dr.
Steak Houses Chicago Chop House 60 W. Ontario
St. Wildfire 159 W. Erie St. Gibsons 1028 N.
Rush St. Weber Grill 539 N. State St
Sushi Sushi Samba 504 N. Wells St. RA Sushi
1139 N. State St. Blue Water Grill 520 N.
Dearborn St.
Mexican Lalos 1960 N. Clybourn Salpicon
1252 N. Wells St. El Jardin 3335 N. Clark
St. Blue Agave 1 W. Maple St.
Pizza Giordanos everywhere Quartino 626 N.
State St. Osteria Via Stato 620 N. State The
Art of Pizza 3033 N. Ashland
Upscale Charlie Trotters 816 W. Armitage
Ave. Smith Wollenskys 318 N. State St. Grand
Lux Cafe 600 N. Michigan Ave. Joe's Seafood
Prime Steak Stone Crab 60 E. Grand Ave
Watch for more Additions!
29Top Lists Bars
Lincoln Park The Apartment 2251 N. Lincoln
Goodbar 2512 N. Halsted Hidden Shamrock 2723
N. Halsted John Barleycorn 658 W.
Belden Kincaids 950 W. Armitage Lions Head
2251 N. Lincoln McGees 950 W.
Webster Subterranean 2011 W. North Trinity
2721 N. Halsted Victory Liquors 2610 N.
Halsted Wrightwood Tap 1059 W. Wrightwood
Lakeview Bellys 3210 N. Lincoln Big City Tap
1010 W. Belmont Cubby Bear 1059 W.
Addison Duffys 420 ½ W. Diversey Durkins
810 W. Diversey Guthrie's Tavern 1300 W.
Addison Houndstooth 3438 N. Clark Justins
3358 N. Southport Moes Cantina 3518 N.
Clark Mullens 3527 N. Clark Murphys Bleachers
3653 N. Sheffield Mystic Celt 3443 N.
Southport Nicks Uptown 4015 N. Sheridan Red
Ivy 3525 N. Clark Redmonds 3358 N.
Sheffield Schoolyard 3258 N. Southport Sluggers
3549 N. Clark SoPo 3418 N. Southport Toons
3857 N. Southport Waterhouse 3704 N.
Paulina Wellingtons 1300 W. Wellington
Gold Coast Hange Uppe 14 W. Elm Hunt Club
1100 N. State Joes on Weed 940 W. Weed Leg
Room 15 W. Division McFaddens 1206 N.
State Mothers 26 W. Division Mothers Too 14
W. Division
Watch for more Additions!
30Top Lists Clubs
- According to www.10best.com
- Beaumont 2020 N. Halsted Lincoln Park
- Berlin 954 W. Belmont - Lakeview
- Club 720 720 N. Wells River North
- Crobar 1543 N. Kingsbury St Gold Coast
- Hydrate 3458 N. Halsted Lakeview
- Nacional 27 325 W. Huron River North
- Rednofive 440 N. Halsted River West
- The Copa 1637 N. Clybourn Lakeview
- Transit 1431 W. Lake River West
- Vision 632 N. Dearborn River North
31Chicago Sports
- Cubs cubs.mlb.com
- Sox whitesox.mlb.com
- Bears www.chicagobears.com
- Bulls www.nba.com/bulls/
- Fire web.mlsnet.com/t100/
- Blackhawks blackhawks.nhl.com
32What to know BEFORE moving to Chicago
- Think of the city as a grid of streets with a few
diagonals - Grid has a 0/0 point at State and Madison.
- From there, streets are labeled east/west or
north/south - There can be a 100 N. State and a 100 S. State
because of this - Each 800 in numbering (generally) is one mile and
equates to a major street. - Going north, major streets are Madison (0 N),
Chicago (800 N), North (1600 N), Fullerton (2400
N), Belmont (3200 N), Irving Park (4000 N) - Invest in a good pair of sneakers and water-proof
boots - 1 mile 10-15 minute commute during rush hours
- CTA is never on time during rush hour
- If you are unsure about taking public transit
later at night, dont chance it, take a taxi!
(Some follow the 900pm rule after 9 take a
taxi!) - Dont sign a two-year lease many people move
after the first year. You get more familiar with
the city and you find nicer places to live. - If you ever need to find something in the city
use chicago.citysearch.com or chicago.metromix.co
m
33Important Times in Chicago Calendar
- St. Patricks Day Parade downtown and annual
dyeing of the river - National Restaurant Association Show May
- Chefs and Restaurant owners from around the world
over a four-day period at McCormick Place - Nearly impossible to get a hotel room or a
restaurant reservation in the city during these
days! - Taste of Chicago July
- Grant Park two week festival
- Over 65 Restaurants throughout Chicago give
samples of food - Venetian Night July
- Lollapalooza - August
- Air Water Show August
- Chicago Triathlon August
- Celtic Fest September
- Lincoln Park Oktoberfest September
- Chicago Marathon October
- Christkindlmarket December Daley Plaza
- Local street festivals April through October
34Movies set in Chicago
- Blues Brothers
- ER
- Batman Series
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off
- Adventures in Babysitting
- What Women Want
- Never Been Kissed
- The Fugitive
- My Best Friends Wedding
- The Break-Up
- The Untouchables
- Save the Last Dance
- Anything John Hughes The Breakfast Club,
Sixteen Candles, Planes, Trains and Automobiles,
Home Alone
35Radio Stations
36Car Information
- If you bring a car to Chicago
- Change of Drivers License
- DMV website for License http//www.dmv.org/il-ill
inois/drivers-license.php - Also changes your voting registration at the same
time! - Change of License Plates
- Must put one on front and one on back of your
car! - Change of Title of your Car
- DMV website for Title changes http//www.dmv.org/
il-illinois/title-transfers.php - Change of Insurance to Chicago
- ND Alums get discounts through certain providers
37Car Information
- If you bring a car to Chicago (contd)?
- Parking Stickers (updated yearly)?
- Different areas of the city have different
stickers based on zoning to ensure that residents
within the area can park in the area - Zone permits are 25/yr and guest passes are
available in books of 15 for 3.00 you can get
these at your Aldermans office - City stickers Wheel Tax Ordinance requires
Chicagoans to display a different sticker on
their car every year money pays for road
improvements - Registration Stickers (updated yearly)?
- Illinois State Inspection
- Common Illinois Driving Mistakes
- Speed-limit on Lake Shore Drive changes
seasonally - Dont test the parking authorities they always
win! - Dont talk on your cell phone they will ticket
you!
38Moving Checklist
- Checklist of Moving
- Change of address
- Credit cards, student loans, cell-phone, ND Alum
Association - https//moversguide.usps.com
- Setting up internet, cable and phone
- After signing on your apartment, get started on
setting these up so they will be ready the day
you move in (can take up to a month!!) - Setting up electric, gas, water, heat
- Electric is through ComEd www.comedmove.com
- Gas is through Peoples Energy
www.peoplesenergy.com - New Bank in Chicago pick one with many ATMs or
branches near your home or office - Renters Insurance fairly cheap rates
39Miscellaneous
- Newspapers
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Chicago Tribune
- Chicago Reader
- Crains Chicago Business
- Tabloids
- Red Streak
- The Onion
- Red Eye
- Magazines
- Chicago Magazine
- Windy City Times
- Time Out Chicago
40Disclaimers
- Most information taken from the following sites
- Chicago Tribune
- Chicago Apartment Finders
- Apartment People
- Wikipedia.org
- ND Club of Chicago website
- Picking the brains of those who have lived in
Chicago - Mallorys google searching
- Katys bar-hopping
- Tims random additions and knowledge of working
out - Photos mostly by Mallory Brown (except this one).
- If you have any questions at all, contact
- Meghan Desmond ndchicagoya_at_yahoo.com
- Kristin Lund ndclubadmin_at_earthlink.net