Andrew Huff / June 14, 2010 12:20 AM

Question suggested by Emily. (We've had similar, but not exactly this question.) If you've got a good one for Fuel, email it to inbox@gapersblock.com.

We ended up where we are (West Ridge) because the house we bought was just about perfect for us, and while transportation options aren't ideal (bus to trains, or drive) it wasn't a big enough deal-breaker to call it off. We've been here five-plus years and still love it.

David / June 14, 2010 12:52 AM

Proximity to the U of C originally prompted me to move to Hyde Park, but I've really come to love the lake, parks and quirky community too.

mary / June 14, 2010 8:27 AM

i needed to find a place to live quickly because i had been living in a hotel for about a month after my apartment exploded in lakeview, and i ended up finding an awesome apartment in roscoe village... i had previously been thinking about moving to lincoln square, but i couldn't be happier about where i've ended up.

flange / June 14, 2010 9:31 AM

i'm on the fringe between andersonville, uptown, and edgewater, and still walking distance to rogers park... good chow everywhere.

meems / June 14, 2010 10:10 AM

River West: Proximity to work is a 10 min bus ride or a 25 min walk, next to blue line. I have free parking (no car so friends are always hooked up) no lease and no deposit and free laundry. However I'm moving in w/boyfriend at the end of summer so I'm going to have to move :(

Carrie / June 14, 2010 10:17 AM

I've been within a 10 block radius of my first apartment for the past...8? 9? years. I originally moved to apt 1 because it was close to the train and I had to leave for work at 330am. Also, my sister lived 1 block away. Apt 2 was actually my condo (sister and I bought in the same building). It was a great deal, I loved and knew the neighborhood, so why not? And now apt 3 is 1/2 block away from the condo. I'm renting out the condo b/c me and mister needed a little more space, but now we're going to move back into the condo in Sept and hopefully buy a house next year. I'm thinking we're heading a little west to Logan Square. BTW, I'm right on the edge of Wicker Park/Humboldt Park.

mare / June 14, 2010 10:27 AM

affordability and large space, and that's it. i also live in west ridge, and, truth, not loving it. can't wait to move.

BG / June 14, 2010 10:56 AM

My friends wanted to rent out their condo in the Irving Park/Albany Park neighborhood so it was a bit of a happy accident.

I love it so much, especially the bike commute from my place to downtown and biking on Wilson Ave. from Western to Kedzie.

Dennis Fritz / June 14, 2010 11:16 AM

Moved back to Rogers Park--where I grew up--because I kept getting priced out of every other neighborhood. Lived in Lakeview for a while--rent got too high. Lived in Uptown for a while--same thing happened.

Jennifer / June 14, 2010 12:05 PM

I've been in Ukrainian Village for 11 years. I originally ended up here in 1999 because of a $200 a month sublease, and have stayed because the area just became home. I've never wanted to live anywhere else in the city.

Anon / June 14, 2010 2:01 PM

I like my neighborhood, the train is close by, there's stuff to do. The biggest deciding factor on this particular apartment was I live on a street named after my favorite composer.

madachode / June 14, 2010 2:45 PM

The west side because the Gahys won't even think of living there.

ktr / June 14, 2010 3:20 PM

desperation.

Mucky Fingers / June 14, 2010 4:33 PM

My residence of 12 years is close to work. It has that ordinary neighborhood vibe that has largely disappeared from the city, and it's way cheaper than the increasingly expensive north side.

PMan / June 15, 2010 1:43 AM

Edgewater -- Rent is cheap, but I get some space, a lot of sun, and a dishwasher.

Saya / June 15, 2010 8:02 AM

Because I work from home, and because part of what I do is entertaining, my criteria for where I live is ridiculously specific; when people hear my list, they look at me like I'm nuts. Within the boundaries of School to Addison, and Ravenswood to Damen? Ha, good luck! But I found an amazing converted toy-factory space in Roscoe Village, within that teeny area, that not only fits all the criteria but exceeds it.

Big believer of aiming for what most think is unattainable -- you never know. And falling short of utopia is still pretty good.

Housing/Employment/Boyfriend Criteria -
http://macncheeseproductions.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/hello-world/

tk / June 15, 2010 10:21 AM

NW Albany Park: safe neighborhood, beautiful bungalows, affordable house, yard, 2 blocks to the brown line, AND street parking. Haven't seen anything else like that since we moved here 8 years ago (and it's even still pretty affordable here). Down side: not really walking distance to the variety of restaurants we'd like.

Euripides Trousers / June 15, 2010 11:35 AM

I put my life in jeopardy every day for love.

A. Lewellen / June 15, 2010 1:27 PM

12 years ago moved into a Chicago style bungalow in North Mayfair in the upper west portion of Albany Park. Initially the decent housing prices was the main reason. Prices have gone up quite a bit since then but still reasonable. The neighborhood at the time was mostly older folks and a bunch of soon to be empty nesters. Us at the time early 20's, no kids it seemed like living in the suburbs compared to where I used to live. We have since sort of grown into it. Two kids now and a little bit of homeowner knowledge a lot of younger people have moved into the area in the last few years. It's kind of a hidden gem. It's about a twenty minute walk to the brown or blue line which I don't mind as I love to walk. I have really come to enjoy coming home to quite tree lined streets after being downtown all day. I do wish there where more restaurants and shops within walking distance but thats a minor trade off in my book.

Anon / June 15, 2010 2:25 PM

After 10 years, and living in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Lincoln Square, we just bought a condo in Rogers Park. We love the street, our space, quirky neighbors (so far) and the fact that the metra is 2 blocks away and it's a 20 minute commute to work. I think we'll be here for a while.

Leah / June 15, 2010 7:07 PM

Edgewater. I moved here five years ago from Ravenswood (which I still miss), because I couldn't afford to buy in the area. I've fallen for Edgewater and love all the train/bus access, the lake path, the lake and Moody's.

It all came down to what could I get without becoming housepoor.

Katie / June 16, 2010 11:13 AM

Edgewater, from Hyde Park (where I lived for school). Maybe I just really like living on the 5600 block, be it N or S.

No, I kid. I love big bodies of water and love living on the lakefront. The train is a block and a half away, and there's tons of good food (Nigerian food was a big draw for me). I love St Andrew's and Sovereign Liquors and In Fine Spirits. There are young people, but it's largely lacking trixies and chads/the aggressively hipster consumerism of wicker park/logan square. I also think the neighborhood is beautiful, with gorgeous old buildings and tons of greenery. And it's super affordable. I just wish it were easier to get to the NW side on public transit because, unfortunately, a lot of my friends live in wicker park/logan square.

jj / June 16, 2010 12:43 PM

I wanted to be closer to work, able to take public transit to work, an area where I could walk around alone late at night with acceptable levels of safety, cheap for a studio/one bedroom, and someplace my diverse loved ones would all feel welcome. Yay Edgewater/Andersonville!

But I like to say that I just follow the gays wherever they move. :)

Mike / June 17, 2010 11:15 AM

I lived in six apartments between 1998 and 2005. I was sick of moving around (due to various reasons but only once by my own choice) so I looked at condos in Lincoln Square and Edgewater (both neighborhoods I'd lived in). Edgewater popped up first. Looking back, Lincoln Square would have been the better choice.