The Ultimate Renter’s Guide to Chicago, IL

Chicagos West Loop neighborhood is booming with new apartment buildings.
Chicago's West Loop neighborhood is booming with new apartment buildings. | © Tony Webster / Flickr
Sarah Ashley

Whether you’re planning to move to Chicago in the near future or you’ve lived here a decade, you have to know a few things about renting in the Windy City. Sure, renting requires less responsibility than homeownership, but anyone considering signing a lease should do their research before autographing a contract. Here’s a tip: It’s all about the neighborhood.

Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood is full of Swedish history, shops, and restaurants.

Pick a neighborhood first

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. Every community throughout Chicagoland has a unique energy and offers something different to its residents. Picking a neighborhood based on research and location will help narrow apartment searches way down. Renters must choose an area in which they feel safe and from which they can commute to and from work easily. Sites like ClearMap provide information on crime rates for different areas. Part of a happy home is its surroundings. A unit in Wrigleyville during the summer Cubs Season is much more hectic than a unit in quiet Ravenswood during the same months.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

When to start the search

Based on supply-and-demand numbers for recent years, Chicagoans looking for new rental opportunities should begin their search four to six weeks (or 30–90 days) before their ideal move-in date. Most listings don’t go live until roughly two months before a unit is available. It’s definitely possible to find a place to live at the last minute, but this is typically a risky move. Leasing companies and landlords will need to run a credit check on you before signing anything, and this can take a few days.

The Lincoln Park Conservatory in October

Best time of year to sign a lease

If you have the luxury of flexibility when it comes to moving, there are two periods during the calendar year for which you should aim. The first is late February and early spring. This time of year is when the Chicago market is friendliest to renters. There are typically more units with more variety available during these months. Renters with a stricter budget may want to wait until September and early fall; this is the time of year when Chicago’s rent prices are usually lowest, especially in more populated areas like Lakeview.

Read between the lines

As with any contract, read the whole thing and look for inconsistencies before signing. Unlike larger urban areas such as New York City, Chicagoans don’t need to use agents or brokers to find housing, which saves money on fees but puts the renter behind the wheel. Look into rental company reviews before signing a lease with one—what do previous tenants have to say? It’s also important to research the exact location of the apartment in question and tour it before committing. Some ads may stretch the truth when it comes to the neighborhood or amenities. For instance, “a short walk to the L” is pretty subjective. How short is short? Ten minutes? Twenty? Thirty?

Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood is booming with new apartment buildings

Search sites and agent tours

Domu.com is a site that helps narrow down apartment listings by neighborhood, price and more. It’s specific to Chicago and only focuses on available homes and units in the Chicagoland area. There are also agencies such as Chicago Apartment Finders that do the back-end searching for you. They then provide unit tours at no cost, often taking you to several showings in a single day to knock it all out at once. These agents only make a fee if you sign a lease through them, so there’s no reason not to give it a try.

Typical rental rates

As with most large cities, rent prices will vary greatly depending on location. In Chicago, the most expensive areas are the Near North Side and the Loop, in the heart of downtown. The least expensive spots are south side neighborhoods Avalon Park and Gage Park, about 45 minutes to an hour commute by bus or train from downtown. Again, depending on where you work and play, these neighborhoods could be super convenient or incredibly far away. As of March 2018, the average price of a one-bedroom apartment in Chicago was $1,605.00. This number is actually 8.1% lower than 2017’s average one-bedroom price.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers residents eight train lines for transportation

Factor in transportation

It may seem enticing to sign a lease for an apartment farther away from the city because of its low rent. It’s true: Tenants in neighborhoods farther out pay much less for more space than those in areas closer to downtown, such as the Loop or Lincoln Park. However, what you save in rent you may end up paying for in transportation. If you plan on using the L train or Metra to commute, you should expect to add about $100 to your monthly budget. Drive a car? Factor in gas money, car insurance, and maintenance.

Tenant rights

After signing a lease, tenants should receive paperwork from their landlords outlining both parties’ responsibilities. One document all Chicago renters should own and familiarize themselves with is the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. This ordinance outlines rules and regulations all parties must follow. For instance, if your landlord wants to enter your unit for any reason, they are required to provide you with written notice at least 48 hours in advance.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article