Chicago Apartments for Rent

Chicago is a city of architecture – Frank Lloyd Wright was from nearby Oak Park – and downtown has so many remarkable high-rises that tourists come here for the buildings alone. The city’s historic dedication to building amazing structures means that there are lots of exceptional places to live, from condos in historic buildings to single family homes reflecting Wright’s modern style to spectacular shiny new skyscrapers.

The city ranks 6th for walkable large cities in the US and while biking is limited by weather and to those confident enough to ride in city traffic, extensive transit and lively street life make this a fine place to live for those that don’t want to rely on driving to get what they need.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) runs a subway system (the “El”) runs out to O’Hare International Airport, Oak Park, Evanston, Metra commuter rail runs even further, out to Kenosha, across the Wisconsin border to the north, and Jolie to the southwest. If you want to go further afield, Amtrak has a hub at Union Station running lines to New York, Washington DC, New Orleans, and all the way out to Seattle.

Divvy, Chicago’s bike share program, is one of the largest and most successful in North America. Even though the weather can be seasonally challenging, with snow in the winter and muggy days in the summer, Chicago’s mostly flat terrain makes it an easy city for biking.

A little north of downtown, there’s the Gold Coast, a historic district with swank shopping, top ranked restaurants, and castle like mansions. There are high-rise apartment buildings here, but there are also some gorgeous old brownstones – walk up flats with bay windows, hardwood floors, and fireplaces, some of them quite large with as many as five bedrooms, good for big families that want to live in the city. This is grand old Chicago, pricey, elegant, and perched on the shores of Lake Michigan.

But because Chicago has such extensive transit, walkable living isn’t just limited to city center neighborhoods. Frank Lloyd Wright’s home town of Oak Park, ten miles west of downtown Chicago, is an attractive historic suburb – and city in its own rights -- where you don’t need a car and can commute by rail into the city. Writer Earnest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, there’s a museum devoted to him, and there are 25 standing Frank Lloyd Wright homes here, including his home and studio.

Lake View East, also has direct transit service into downtown. It’s five miles north of downtown and was voted one a “Best Big City Neighborhood” in a Money Magazine reader poll. Boystown is in Lake View – it’s Chicago’s predominately gay neighborhood and home to the annual pride parade. Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is in Lake View East, so traffic and game day parking can be a trial for residents and visitors alike, so it’s a good thing you don’t need a car to live in this part of the city.

Chicago has upwards of 200 neighborhoods, so whatever you’re looking for in character, you’re sure to find. Wicker Park is home to DIY hipster types and rapid renovation. River North is where you’ll find lots of furniture and interior design shops, perfect shopping once you find your new place. Andersonville has some of that “small town in a big city” feel. Beverly is ethnically diverse. Albany Park and West Ridge/West Roger's Park have top ranking public elementary schools.

Walk Score can help you find exactly the Chicago home you’re looking for, be it a studio or loft in a renovated brick building, a classic brownstone with two or three bedrooms and beautiful architectural details, or a luxury condominium in a new highrise building.