How to Find a Good Apartment in Chicago

Finding the perfect apartment in Chicago is a difficult and time-consuming process. The city of Chicago offers many different neighborhoods with different types of apartments. From multifamily homes to massive apartment complexes, what you are looking for is a personal decision. The neighborhood you choose will not only determine your traveling distance to your favorite places but also the amount of rent you must pay.

• 1

  Determine how much rent you can afford to pay. Your housing costs should be no more than 25 percent of your take-home pay each month according to CBS' Money Watch.

• 2

  Drive or walk through any potential neighborhoods you are looking at moving to. Spend time there during different times of the day and different days of the week to help see what the neighborhood looks and sounds like at different times.

• 3

  Determine whether you are looking for an apartment with a garage or dedicated parking. If you are living near Wrigley Field and own a car, having designated parking or a garage will keep you from driving around looking for a place to park when you get home during a Cubs' home game.

• 4

  Contact a local real estate agent if you have decided that a multifamily home will fit your needs. A local real estate agent can help you locate an apartment that may not be listed in newspapers.

• 5

  Speak with a local apartment locator in the neighborhood you selected. Apartment locators are normally free of charge because the apartment complex you sign a lease with pays their fees.

• 6

  Check the Sunday edition of the "Chicago Tribune" for rentals in the neighborhood and price range you have selected.

• 7

  Request showings of any apartments you locate in the newspaper, through the apartment locator or through the real estate agent. Take your time looking at each apartment so that you do not make a decision that you end up regretting.