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Housing Guide for the Class of 2005
Created by Candace McGregor, rising MSII
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Congratulations on being
accepted to Pritzker!!� You will
probably have a busy summer getting ready for medical school.� The purpose of this guide is to relieve
a little anxiety about housing and help make your summer more peaceful.� This guide is not meant to provide you
an exhaustive list of all the places Pritzker students live, but it should
provide you with a good idea of how to find a place to live.� To further assist your search for
housing, we¡¯ve included students¡¯ opinions about their housing situations (Advice from Your Pritzker Classmates),
a guide to buying a home (Purchasing
Real Estate, An Alternative to Renting), and a description of living
outside of Hyde Park (Fletch's Guide to
the Neighborhoods of the Northside).
�
Housing is plentiful and
you can rest assured that if you want to live in an apartment, you'll find one.� In Hyde Park, there are generally two
types of apartments: 3 floor walk-ups and highrises.� If you haven¡¯t already, you will soon find that much of the authentic
atmosphere of the neighborhood comes from the old, brick buildings and
tree-lined streets.
�
You can use the class list
enclosed to get an idea of the Hyde Park locations where other students
live.� Please be aware that the
quality of housing can change drastically between single blocks and even with
crossing the street. �It is very
important that you feel safe and comfortable in your new home.� So, keep in mind that location really
is important.
�
We strongly recommend that
you come to Hyde Park to find a place to live.� That way you will know what you are getting, both in terms
of the apartment itself and the surrounding neighborhood. �If you can't come to Chicago, you might
want to consider applying for University housing (in this mailing, you should
have received information from Graduate Student Housing).� Or, contact one of the ultrahigh
security, consistently highly rated apartment buildings like Regent's Park,
Hyde Park Towers, or the Windemere,
�
Try to give yourself three
or four days in Hyde Park to conduct a housing search.� While you are here, you have several
options for places to stay.� You
are welcome to stay with a second-year student.� Staying with a student gives you the opportunity to see
where students live and to get some advice on finding your own housing.� If you would like to stay with a
student, contact me Candace McGregor, ([email protected]) Co-Chair of the
Pre-Orientation Committee, and I¡¯ll hook you up.� Your second option is to stay at the International House,
which is a graduate student dorm that rents out rooms on a daily basis at very
reasonable rates.� You can call
773-753-2270 for reservations.� There
is also a Ramada Inn, 773-288-5800, at 49th St. and Lakeshore Dr., but this
option is not well recommended.
�
So when should you come and
look?� Generally, apartments don't
stay on the market very long and turn around time is short.� Apartments tend to be offered about a
month before the lease ends and are rented very quickly.� If you are looking for an apartment
lease starting in September, mid-July to early August is the best time to look.� There are also a large number of leases
that begin in mid-June, when spring quarter ends, that are currently being
shown.� Also, there are always
flyers up around campus advertising summer sublets, some with an option to
renew the lease for the next year.�
That's another good option if you want to be in Hyde Park for the
summer.
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What¡¯s the best house hunting
strategy for you?� People have a
few different ideas about the most effective strategy.� Some people decided to walk around the
neighborhoods finding buildings that were acceptable.� They then wrote down the contact information of the management/owners
which can usually be found posted on the building.� The next step is to call the company to set a viewing
appointment.� A second strategy is
to call the various realty companies in this guide and make appointments to see
their open properties. �When you
call the realtor, tell them you want an apartment located east of Maryland,
west of the lake, north of 59th, and south of 51st.� Stay away from Stony Island and Cottage Grove, and try to
avoid crossing the Midway (59th Street) to get to your apartment.� Also, try to avoid basement or 1st
floor apartments -- these tend to be the easiest ones for break-ins.� Finally, a third strategy is to make
use of newspaper listings and internet searches. �Relevant publications include:
U of C Maroon (student
newspaper)
Chicago Weekly News (look
for the blue boxes on campus with this free newspaper)
Hyde Park Herald
(neighborhood newspaper)
Herald Extra (a free
advertising circular)
The Reader (a weekly with a
large classified section)
The Chicago Tribune
You can get these papers at the Administration Building, the
International House, the U of C Bookstore (58th and Ellis), and the Reynolds
Club (57th and University).� Also,
check for flyers posted on bulletin boards at many campus locations, including
the Biological Sciences Learning Center (BSLC), the I-House, the Bookstore, the
Reynolds Club, and Ida Noyes Hall (59th and Woodlawn).
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If You Don't Have a
Car...
Don¡¯t panic.� Many people survive without them.� Just make sure to pick apartments that
are in walking/biking distance or ones that are serviced by the university bus
routes. �The closer you are to the
lake, or the further north you go (past 53rd or 52nd) your walk will be getting
longer.� Just as an example a 12-14
block walk consumes about 25 minutes walking fast. �The bus routes run all day long, with the most frequent
routes running between 6 am and 12:30 pm and from 4 pm to 6pm.� The buses are FREE!!!
�
The following is the list of the more popular realtors used by
medical students.
Parker-Holsman 1461 E. 57th
St. 773-493-2525
K&G 1609 E. 53rd St.
773-288-2758
Hyde Park Realty 1743 E.
55th St. 773-324-1600
Wolin-Levin 1740 E. 55th
St. 773-684-6300
Advance Management 5116 S.
Blackstone Ave. 773-667-2500
Herbert Realty 1606 E. Hyde
Park Blvd. 773-684-7414
ERA Sack Realty 1459 E.
Hyde Park Blvd. 773-684-8900
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Here are some downtown realtors that rent some apartments in Hyde
Park:
Draper & Kramer 33 W.
Monroe 312-346-8600
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Finally, the high-rise buildings:
The Blackwood Apartments
5200 S. Blackstone Ave. 773-684-8666
Hyde Park Towers 5140 Hyde
Park Blvd. 773-752-5140
University Apartments 1451
E. 55th St. 773-363-1440 (not affiliated with U of C)
The Versailles 5254 S.
Dorchester 773-324-0200
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Regents and Windemere are "luxury" buildings.� They are very nice and have lots of
amenities such as parking (for a small fortune), 24-hour security, and a
doorman.� They are also expensive,
and taking a roommate would definitely make it more cost effective.
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One more option: Qumbya
Cooperative Housing, in the 5200 block of Blackstone Ave. which offers shared
vegetarian meals, democratic decision making, and diverse housemates¡ªvery
helpful when the only people you know are med students. Contact: Nancy Chiu at
773-643-8854.
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Here is what you should expect to pay:
Studio $500 ¨C 800
2 Bedroom $600 ¨C 1000
3 Bedroom $650 ¨C 1250
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All prices are per month
and generally include heat and water, and exclude electricity.� These are only approximate prices.� If you are willing to pay more, you can
live in as nice a place as you want.�
In general, you get what you pay for, so if an apartment seems cheap
compared to others you look at, be sure to check into it carefully.
�
When you come to look at a
place, be sure to bring your checkbook.�
When you sign the lease you will need to leave a security deposit equal
to one month's rent.� Also, most of
the rental agencies will require a credit check before they will allow you to
sign a lease.� If you explain that
you are from out of town, the credit check can generally be done that day, or
you can ask to have the apartment held for you until your credit is verified.
�
If you are interested in
living with another medical student, the Pre-Orientation Committee is offering
a roommate-matching service.�
Students interested in the roommate match should fill out the enclosed
roommate search form and return it in the envelope provided to Joshua
Tepper.� The goal of this service
is to match up students with similar lifestyles and housing preferences.� After returning this form, you will
receive a mailing including the names and phone numbers of students who
participated in the match.� You can
then contact students who matched well with you about seeking housing
together.� You are not obligated in
any way by this search.� Please
note that we do not do a housing search for you and we do not assign
roommates.� You and your roommates
are responsible for finding each other and your own place to live.� If you¡¯d rather live with non-medical
students (which definitely has its advantages), the flyers on campus often seek
roommates, as do some Internet listings.
�
For people interested in
University housing, there are two options. The first is the I-House.� Please call them, 773-753-2270, to
inquire about availability.� When
living in the dorm-like I-House, you are required to buy a baseline meal plan,
which, along with your lease, gives you a considerable discount on food served
in the I-House cafeteria.� The dorm
itself is nice, however the rooms are small and there is limited kitchen
access.� Living in the I-House can
be social, is a way to meet non-medical students, is located on campus, and you
don't have to clean dishes, bathrooms, etc.� But, you have to eat in a cafeteria, live in a small room
that is assigned, and share a bathroom.�
To be honest, most people do not choose this option!
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The other option is University housing, the Neighborhood Student Apartments.� These apartments are administered by the Graduate Housing Office of the university (773-753-4951).� If you apply early enough, the Housing Office simply assigns you an apartment depending on what they have available.� If you are at all considering whether to live in University housing, it is imperative that you get the application in immediately, otherwise you may not be assigned.� You really have nothing to lose by applying; once you are assigned a place, you may go look at it and then refuse it and get your application fee back.� The University is a good landlord. �The apartments are priced competitively, and some of them are even furnished.� Most of the University apartments are rather far from campus, but are served by the bus system.
�
It is hard to know where
not to live when you don't know the neighborhood well.� In general, you may use the addresses
of the MSIIs included in this mailing as a guideline.� If you are looking at an apartment near one of the MSII's on
the list, feel free to call and ask how the student likes that particular
area.� In general, if other people
have lived on a particular block or close to it, it's probably a reasonable
place to live.� By way of friendly
advice, here are some places you should not live:
�
1. Do not live on Cottage Grove.� This is the far western boundary of Hyde Park. Maryland and
Drexel, the streets just east of Cottage Grove, are better.
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2. Do not live south of 60th Street.� 60th is the southern boundary of Hyde Park, and the U of C
police patrol up to 61st Street.�
There are many who would say not to live south of the Midway (the park
between 59th and 60th Streets), but the Law and Social Service Administration
Schools are located on 60th.�
Many of these students live on 60th, and report that it is not too bad.
�
3. In general, don't live on Stony Island.� There are exceptions to this, but
although you will have a great view of the Museum of Science and Industry, it
will not be worth it.
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4. Do not live north of 51st Street.� The exception is the Regents Park area between Cornell and
Lake Shore Drive where there are many very nice buildings.� The northern boundary of Hyde Park is
technically 47th Street, and the U of C police do patrol that far
north. In the 40's, the crime rate increases dramatically.� Therefore most students live in the
50's.
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Commercial regions of Hyde
Park tend to be farther away from campus.�
Almost all of the stores in Hyde Park are located on the odd-numbered
streets: 51st, 53rd, 55th, and 57th.�
The largest supermarket is the Co-op, at 55th and Lake Park in the Hyde
Park Shopping Center (there is also a hardware store and Office Depot here).
�
To escape Hyde Park, public
transportation to downtown and points beyond can be found in central Hyde Park
via the 55th St. CTA bus and on the eastern side of Hyde Park via the Metra
train (not to be confused with Chicago¡¯s famed El).� The 55th St. bus runs about every 15 minutes and will take
you to the Red Line El station.�
From the Red Line, you can get to awesome locales downtown and on the
North Side either directly or by changing trains downtown.� The Metra train runs along Lake Park
Boulevard and will take you downtown.�
The #6 Jeffrey Express Bus runs up Lake Shore Drive to Michigan
Avenue.� Finally, the U of C
Express is a bus that leaves from the Reynolds Club and goes to some of the
more exciting areas of the city.
�
Parking can be a very
creative task in this neighborhood.�
Apartments in Hyde Park do not usually come with parking spots, so in
considering apartments, think about where you will park your car.� Some blocks are definitely easier to
park on than others, such as dead-ends or blocks adjacent to parks.� Some of the bigger apartment buildings
have parking spaces available at a price.�
Parking is expensive in the buildings with covered parking (anywhere
from $55-110/month).� Some
buildings have lots.� Parking on
the street is always an ¡°option¡± (sometimes a very difficult one).� Rule of thumb--it¡¯s easy to park north
of 55th St. during the day and easy to park south of 55th at night.� When you park on the street, no car is
complete without a Club (the brightly-colored anti-theft device) -- absolutely
a must-have.
�
Those who choose to live
outside of Hyde Park can apply for a parking space in one of the University's
lots.� If you're thinking about
driving to class and parking on the street, know you may have to park some distance
away unless you arrive on campus relatively early (before 8 a.m.).� University operated parking lots are
available for student use for a monthly, quarterly, or yearly fee.� It is necessary to apply for a space at
the Parking Office and get on a waiting list.� Keep in mind that when you apply for parking that some lots
really aren't options, since the waiting lists can extend for 2 years.� However, there¡¯s a new parking
structure this year at the corner of 55th and Ellis (2 blocks from the BSLC),
so this should ameliorate the situation somewhat!
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This brings us to the last
and possibly the most important topic.�
Safety in Hyde Park concerns all students since we live and go to school
here.� It's not a good idea to get
a false sense of security.� There
is crime in Hyde Park, and you must take some precautions concerning both
yourself and your possessions.� On
the other hand, crime in Hyde Park has decreased over the last few years, and
Hyde Park is a relatively safe area of the city. �One precaution that is very important is not to walk alone at
night.� The neighborhood can seem
to be quiet and peaceful, but assaults do happen.� Fortunately, the University has some resources available to
help insure your walk is safe. �The
U of C Police Umbrella Service sends a car to drive beside you as you walk to
your destination.� All you need to
do is dial 773-702-8181. �Also, the
University Van Service will pick you up from wherever you are and give you a
ride home up until 4 AM.� Call
773-702-2022.� The campus bus
system is free, and during the evenings most routes leave every half hour from
the Regenstein Library to go to many different areas in Hyde Park.
�
Building security should be
a major consideration when apartment hunting.� Hyde Park landlords tend to be pretty good about security. �When looking at apartments, check to
make sure that the building is safe according to your standards. �Check to see that windows and front and
back doors are secure, that the front building door is secure, and that there
is an intercom and buzzer system.�
Make sure that there are deadbolts on any door leading directly out of
your apartment.� Most people live
here without ever having any trouble. Be cautious, but remember there is no
reason to be paranoid.
�
If you are moving here with
children, you may need some extra information about schools and daycare.� Contact the Dean of Students Office for
further information.� The
university has a daycare referral service available for you to use.
�
Good luck, and happy apartment hunting!� We are looking forward to seeing you in September.� If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I will be happy to help you or direct you to the person who can help.
�
Candace McGregor ([email protected])
5483 S. Drexel Ave., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL� 60615
773-955-3549