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this is a difficult question to answer without knowing what kind of budget you are on.

if you like being south and like being somewhat close to the lake, hyde park is nice... although it's access to the el is a little bit lacking. not sure if that is a concern or not.

There are so many neighborhoods, it might be best to rent for 6 months to a year before buying. How far south is your office? Still in the loop? Maybe rent in the South Loop. Bungalows vary a lot in price in Chicago, if you are okay with an iffy neighborhood, you could probably get a good deal. There are a lot of parks scattered through the city, so if you find a neighborhood you like, there will probably be a park that you can look around. South Loop/Bronzeville/Kenwood/Hyde Park/South Shore all have areas that are close to the lakefront.

My wife and I have been living in the south loop for almost a year now and love the area. It has lots of parks (great with a dog) and the night life/restaurants are coming (slowly). There are plenty of high rises as well as lofts. Any thing south of 22nd street can become "sketchy".

I just have to plug my northside hood. I am in Hermosa (west of Logan Square), but there are a plethora of affordable (under 300k) Chicago bungalows, Kelvyn and Kilbourn Parks are both just a few blocks away (btw, Kilbourn Park is having their annual organic plant sale this weekend). To get downtown you have to take a bus to the blue line, it is a bit of a hike, or it is an easy bike ride. The community is mostly Polish and Hispanic.

I also have to rave about our realtor, Lee at Big Shoulders Realty. He even does neighborhood bike tours!
http://www.bigshouldersrealty.com/

I can't speak to the south loop or south side, but I'm in the Avondale area and there are quite a few deals to be had on bungalows in the area (Avondale, Old Irving Park, Portage Park). These areas are right off the highway and the Blue Line, more family-friendly than single-friendly (tons of parks and tree-lined streets, but not many eateries/bars at your doorstep).

Just do a quick search for bungalows in your price range on CL.

Each neighborhood has such a different character, so it's hard to make recommendations. I recently moved to the South Loop as well, and it's a great area that's (very) slowly starting to see development, but to be honest, the night life, cafes, boutiques, etc., and the more established, neighborhood-y hoods are still on the north side.

You're probably best off renting for at least a few months and getting to know the city before making a decision.

When I think of bungalows near your office I think of Bridgeport.

Hey Brandy -- congrats on the decision to move to the city of big shoulders! There are so many great neighborhoods to find bungalows, one great resource in the search is the Chicago Bungalow Association (http://www.chicagobungalow.org/) which can help you locate an area to settle in as well as offer you financial options and rehab connections. They also offer grants to help you in fixing up a historic bungalow.

And with the great public transit system here, you don't have to live really close to where you work.

good luck in your search

i really like evanston, next to the lake. i love that area.

I lived in Rogers Park (It was very quiet, incredibly cheap, near the lake and near the train) but always wanted to live in either Lincoln Park or Lincoln square.

Chicago has a "great public transit system"??!!

Wow, that's news to me! I think it's PATHETIC that it takes me a solid hour to get from Lakeview to the Loop on the bus.

Someone mentioned the South Loop, which would be very convenient if you wanted to be close to work and the lake. But it is mostly high rises and big buildings. Much more urban. Bridgeport is also a great place, I've heard, but it may be expensive (?). Another option is either Little Italy or right next door - near the Hospital campus. They just built a huge area called the University Commons, or something like that. It is a huge development. (Also, not the place if you want the quaint neighborhoods so representative of Chicago.)
But hopefully this is a little more info to make your decision. Good Luck!

thank you everyone! i know it's hard to tell someone what they'd like, but all your comments are helpful! keep 'em coming!

sorry... I don't live in chicago, so I am not a huge help
I love the city though, and am super jealous you are moving there!

but I am wondering where the Chicago picture is from? I think it would make some cool artwork.

I just bought that poster! In blue, as well as a Brooklyn one for my friend who lives there. Got them at www.orkposters.com, although they sell them in some stores in the city also. I think it says where on their website. Cheap too, $24 I think.

Look at the Chicago Bungalow Association's website, esp. the page discussing the different neighborhoods and related links:

http://www.chicagobungalow.org/owners/index.shtml

The South Loop is a very dog friendly hood and the most happening hood at the moment. Lots of growth, new things every day, and lots of available new units. Plus you are close to everything, including Grant Park which has the Grant Bark Park so your dog can get some exercise with his friends.

I'm a country girl at heart and the thought of living in a high rise through me at first but then we found State Place. State Place takes up the block between 11th and Roosevelt on State Street. It has 3 Terrace buildings that only consist of 7 floors (4 of which are condos). If you can find an available unit, I highly recommend becoming one of my neighbors. '- )

Plus we have a dog run on the terrace for when you can't make it to the park with your pooch and a rooftop pool.

Good luck!

The south side is great! Totally underrated, too. The south and west loop areas have great raw spaces for sale--excellent lofts in vintage buildings. Pilsen is an interesting area, too. That's be an easy commute to your office. Further south is Bridgeport, a neighborhood full of bungalows and families and White Sox fans. The City of Chicago is interested in preserving the legacy of bungalows so they may offer helpful services to homebuyers and renovators. Even further south are The historic Bronzeville--currently enjoying a surge in popularity--Hyde Park--right next to the geeky but chic University of Chicago--and the glamorous architectural festival of Kenwood. All of these areas are very beautiful and close to the lake, though crime is on the rise (mostly property and gang related crime.) Hyde Park highrises are especially affordable. Continuing south along the lake--South Shore has excellent lake views and lovely, uncrowded beaches, though it is likely too far from your S. Wabash office. Commuting in Chicago can be a nightmare both on public transit and in the car! Biking is easy, though. No hills! Seriously, none.

If you are willing to venture to the north side there are a lot of fabulous neighborhoods, there, too. Old Town is packed with Bungalows and nightlife. Bucktown is hip and lively and cute, though farther from the lake and crowded. Much further north is Lincoln Square, a great area for families and dog owners.

Chicago is packed with parks, both small and large, and every neighborhood is likely to have somewhere for dogs to roam. Come visit! Chicago is a carnival in the summer. Lots to see and do and enjoy. Good luck!

Chris Gaggero also does bike tours, if you're looking for a realtor! He is superb.

http://www.atproperties.com/agent/chrisgaggero

I just moved to Andersonville from Uptown last fall and absolutely love it! I will admit that it may not fit the needs you described exactly though. I agree with advice given above about renting for a year so you can have some time to explore the city for yourself. Good luck!

Depending on how far away from the center of the city you are willing to go, there are some great neighborhoods on the southside in addition to Hyde Park. Beverly and Morgan Park have great old houses with yards. It's a great place for dogs, families, and people who want a little more space and a little less congestion. They cost as much and often less than many condos. Public transporation in these areas is not super great. You have access to the red line and the metra. I grew up in Morgan Park, but I live in the Ukrainian Village now.

Really, when picking a neighborhood, you should spend sometime throughout the city and see what feels the most comfortable to you and decide what your priorities are and go from there.

I am a Southsider in the Oakland/Kenwood/Bronzeville area. I have a huge, beautiful studio apartment w/ a washer and dryer in the unit, awesome neighbors, a jillion parking spaces anytime of the day or night for less than $750/month. I highly recommend my neighborhood to you!!! The green and red line bothe have plenty of stops in the area! I get on the green line at 47th street and it takes me 20 minutes to get downtown. When I drive to work in the South Loop it takes between 15-20 minutes. I can haul ass down Indiana St., there is never any traffic and most of the streets are 3 lane one way streets. Lakeshore drive and the Dan Ryan Expwy (90/94) are in the neighborhood and there's hardly ever traffic. I am at 4900 South and I can get to my sweeties place at 5400 north in 25 minutes. There is a grocery store at 35th and King Dr. (but if you hate grocery shopping, PeaPod delivers in the area). I'm close to Hyde Park which is nice to visit, and nice to not have to worry about parking or Type A students who expect all of their neighbors to be on their study/sleep schedule (it's happened to everyone I've ever known who lived in Hyde Park). Also the lake is a quick bike, bus, or car ride away (about 1 mile east of me). Also the beaches are cleaner and quieter than many North Side beaches.

As far as safety is concerned, I will be totally honest: I have not seen anything shady go down. I saw more crime (including violent) when I lived in Logan Square and Humboldt Park. There are a few crack heads twitching down the streets, but they've never bothered me (and if they did, I feel pretty certain that I'd be able to whup their convulsive, malnourished ass). There are lots of families and elderly people so there is a community feeling. My social circle is extremely diverse (race, age, socio-economic) and everyone who's visited me remarks about how nice and quiet it is in my neighborhood.

Check it out!!! I think you'll love it!!! It's generally referred to as Bronzeville, but also known as Kenwood and Oakland. The architecture is amazing throughout the 'hood. There are beautiful houses just waiting to be renovated, there are some lofts in the northern part of the area (26-33rd Streets) and there are a lot of greystone two flats!!

Chicago is an amazing city. Be sure to take advantage of everything it has to offer. Whatever neighborhood you move to, make sure you get out of your neighborhood often!

Look at www.chicagocrime.org for a block by block listing of reported crimes through out the city. Just pick a street and a block and it'll show you all of the details!!!

Best of luck to you!!!!!!!!

I love Tarynitup!!! Girl, you did the damn thang!!

She's right too. I dated a guy who bought new construction up there and I had no idea what all was going on off of the main streets. Gorgeous renovations of 100 year old properties for insanely low prices, new buildups, etc. I fell in love with the area. I would have lived there but I knew I was getting rid of my car, and the trains don't run through there. There are plenty of parks there for the scooby-doo and you are a few blocks from the lake.

I'm in Pilsen..and it's a great neighborhood if you like your area to be down and street....I like a bit of a blue-collar, artsy hood and my area is the arts mecca so I chose it. Sure they shoot and gang-bang further west but I know how do hit the flo' when I have to....though I have never had to within the past 3 years of me living there.

bang bang!!

You should pick up a copy (or read online) the Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago....I found this to be very helpful when I relocated here. Way less touristy than most Chicago websites and guidebooks.

http://notfortourists.com/chicago.aspx