apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The Alessi store is now open in the Tree Studios on State St. Next will be Bang and Olufson (does anybody actually own something from them?) I was very impressed by one of their televisions but it was 25k.

I'm planning a move to Chicago from Dallas in about a year. Does anyone have any idea how much a move like this costs? I'm going from a 1BR to a 1BR or studio and I don't have a ton of furniture or junk. I'm bringing a car so I'm probably going to have to pay someone to drive the stuff there for me. Any ideas? Thanks!

Start saving. Start looking for an area of the city you want to live in. Rent a truck, and tow the car. That way you are in control of your move. If anything, find someone ahead of time who can give you a hand with driving/moving. I did it for a friend moving back to Illinois and we turned it into an adventure. Hope this helps. Chicago is a great place!

Rent prices vary alot in Chicago. I moved here just over a year ago, and during my apartment search found that I could get a really nice 1 bedroom for the same price as a really crappy 1 bed. Some of those apartment finding services are NOT helpful. Craigslist was a good way to see what kind of variety was available. I also moved here with a car and have found that it is not worth the hassle to have it in the city. I only really drive about 1 time a week, and almost never go to the suburbs. Therefore, I'm selling the car in a couple of weeks. Another indispensable resource, even after you have moved, is the book "Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago." It will break down the aspects of each neighborhood and help you piece together different areas of the city.

Jennyy,

I just spoke with someone I work with. She moved here from Dallas by herself a few months ago.

Penske truck $400.00 drove it herself. Of course if you have a car you may want to have a friend follow with it or vice versa. Or you could add a car tow to the truck if you are ambitious.

If you are going to move in a year, do not move during the winter. People hibernate and don't give their places up either by choice or because leases are designed that way. You'll just have more choices and have a more comfortable search during the warmer months.

Tons of neighborhoods to choose from depending on your preferences. You have a car so if affordability is a concern you can live where the rents are typically lower and drive to the store, etc.

Here's a couple shots of the swivel sofa we got from tiny living:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/art_chel/1326772460/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/art_chel/1326779026/

jennyy:

And start looking up some neighborhoods that are slightly off the beaten path but close to public transportation (either bus or bus and rail): Albany Park, Irving Park, North Center, West Roger's Park, North Logan Square. These tend to have larger apartments at cheaper rents than Wicker Park/Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville/Lakeview and Roger's Park. In any event, most neighborhoods have at least one larger grocery and several smaller carniceria type stores within walking distance. I haven't lived anywhere in Chicago that I wasn't walking or biking distance to a grocery, dry cleaner, or liquor store ;)

To give you an idea, I own a 2-flat in Irving Park w/ easy access to the blue line (walking distance) and brown & red lines (via quick ride on the #80 bus). I rent out the 2.5 bedroom, 1 bath apt for $1200 (renter pays utilities) w/ free laundry, wifi, satellite, and 1 garage space. On the flip side, my friend rents a 1 bedroom in Wrigleyville - no parking, no wifi, no satellite, no laundry - for $900. So it depends on which neighborhood feels more like "you".

GOOD LUCK & WELCOME!

Jennyy,
If you are on a super-tight budget, do what I did when moving from NYC to the midwest five years ago: get rid of all the furniture you can, ship books and heavy items via UPS, and rent a truck with a top that locks. By truck, I don't mean moving van, just a regular truck, like a Ford. I got one for five days for $138, and was able to fit tons of stuff into it (there was space behind the driver's seat, as well as the flatbed in back). I moved everything I had in the world from a little under $330. And I was able to enjoy the road trip, which I don't think I would have done as much if I were towing all my stuff behind me...

Thanks for your suggestions everybody! I'll be saving until the move, so hopefully I won't have to give away all my furniture but it makes sense to not move something you really want to get rid of anyway. Colellis, I'm definetly going to check out the book you mentioned. I can't wait!!