Advice from your Pritzker Classmates
Blackstone Management
1. I would not recommend units owned and maintained by Blackstone Management. They were responsive to only the most basic repairs needed to avoid liability. Getting them to fix anything beyond what is required by city ordinance was like pulling teeth, or worse.
2. I live at 5428 S. Woodlawn in an
apartment managed by Blackstone.
In a word, my experience with them has been abysmal. They are impossible to get a hold
of. That being said, the apartment
itself is pretty nice. It was
refurbished last year, has new fixtures and appliances, hardwood floors,
laundry in the basement, and an electrical buzz-in system. Rent is $500/person (it¡¯s a two
bedroom). Parking is on the
street, and I¡¯ve never had to park off my block. Location is excellent.
10 minute walk to the BSLC. 2 minute walk to 53rd Street
Co-op.
Living
in a K&G owned building should be considered an absolute last resort. Consider living in a cardboard box
outside of the hospital¡¯s delivery bay instead.
I
live on 55th and Ridgewood, managed by McKey and Poague. They¡¯re great in terms of maintaining
the building and responding to renters¡¯ concerns. Nice, high ceiling rooms, washer and dryer on premises, not
fancy but functional. The prices
are moderate.
My
apartment and landlord are awesome, and I would recommend them with the
greatest confidence. I have a
decent sized kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. Plus, the apartment has this huge room that would be great
as a living room/dining room combo.
Out my front windows is a wonderful view of the school¡¯s outdoor
athletic facilities. Plus, I am
only 3 blocks away from the medical school¡ªa great 7 minute walk. The landlord lives in the building so
was never stingy with the heat or with repairs. His name is Ed Kentra and his number is 773-363-4705.
I
live at Regents Park in a studio, and I love it. The rent went up 8% for next year, and it averages out to
about $917. What I love about the
building is the security. Also,
they are really accommodating, and it¡¯s close to 2 of the campus bus routes,
the Jeffrey Express, and the Metra.
It¡¯s about a $5 cab ride to campus if an emergency comes up. My big thing was security, because you
don¡¯t want to be worrying about that with all of the other things going on.
1.
The Mayfair (5496 South Hyde Park
Blvd). All I can say is that it
has been perhaps the worst apartment experience I¡¯ve ever had. The building itself is in shoddy
condition, with paint chipping off the walls and ceilings continuously leaking. The building is in a fantastic
location, all things considered.
It is very close to the 55th Street restaurants and only
steps from the lake. The corollary
of living at a popular intersection is the virtual unavailability of parking. The central problem with this building
in particular has been the sloth-like management. The property was recently purchased by another company, TLC,
which plans to revamp the building.
At that point, it may become an attractive option. Till then, I cannot recommend it.
2. My building is owned by TLC management. They are nicely located on the bus line. The rent is fairly cheap though the studios are small. It¡¯s $500/month for a studio and $600/month for a one-bedroom. The manager doesn't live in the building, but he's fairly available. Repairs may take a bit to get done, but they will get done. And they spray for bugs once a month during warm months.
1. I live at 5125 S. Kenwood in Graduate
Student Housing. I pay in the mid $700s
for a large two bedroom with a parking spot. The building manager is reliable and lives in the building. I recommend the building without
hesitation. It¡¯s neat, clean, well taken care of, as safe as any other place in
Hyde Park, and convenient to the Co-op, video store, restaurants, and the bus
stops.
2. 5125 Kenwood is owned by the University so it is taken care of very well. It is old but sturdy. Elevators did suck, but they¡¯ve been replaced. Pets are allowed in the building. Maintenance is quick and reliable. Apartments are quite small, but so is the rent. If you¡¯re looking for style or a party palace, this is not your future home. But it is economical.
3. I live in University of Chicago Graduate Student Housing at the Harper Crest Apartments, 5345 S Harper Ave. Clean building with friendly, easily accessible building manager. Fully furnished apartments (some with newer furniture than others). Gated private parking lot available for about $90 a quarter (street parking difficult). Well heated in the winter. Exactly 1 block from shopping complex (Co-Op grocery, Ace hardware, Walgreens, Office Depot,). Also very close to many of the restaurants and shops in Hyde Park, as well as the Metra and bus lines. About a 20 minute walk to the med school, and a stop on the evening campus bus route. No pets. Buildings do vary, and many are unfurnished or have no parking lots, but in general are well-kept. Mostly populated by grad students, but a great way to meet some non-medical people. Most buildings are serviced by evening buses (some also have convenient day routes nearby). Pets are allowed in a few buildings.
University
Park Condos (1400-1450 East 55th Place) are individual condos owned
by various owners so they have different prices. They run around $550 for a studio and $750-850 for a 1
bedroom. It is very safe with
close proximity to school. You can
walk to the BSLC in 10-15 minutes.
Parking is difficult at night but usually available. If you are lucky you can buy a parking
spot. The building has laundry
facilities, and the management is fairly receptive.
Versailles Apartments
I live in Versailles Apartments and really like it. The building's at the corner of 53rd and Dorchester, center of all fast food in Hyde Park. I believe the building is all studios. Rent is from around $450 to about $650 a month. The management is very responsive to problems, and there's 24 hr. doorman and laundry in building. My only problem with the place is that its an old building, and it seems that either the hot water or the elevator is under repairs at least one day a month. That can be irritating to wake up in the morning to a cold shower or a walk up or down a bunch of stairs. In general though, I'm very happy.
I
live in the Blackstone Villa (5514 S. Blackstone Ave), and it is a great one
bedroom for $625. It is quite
large. Laundry is downstairs. The management is wonderful. The university owns it, but it is
managed by Wolin-Levin Inc.
Parking on the streets is typically easy. It is a short walk to school and even closer to the grocery
store and Walgreens. Studios are
also available.