r/chicagoapartments

I’ve been apartment hunting in Chicago for 2 months and almost every building is now “app-only” for basic living.

You need apps to:

Enter the building
Use elevators
Get packages
Access gyms
Pay rent
Sometimes even open doors

No key fob. No backup. Just your phone.

If your phone dies, has no signal, or the app glitches, you can literally be locked out of your own home or amenities.

This isn’t “convenience” anymore. It’s dependency on private software for basic access to housing.

At minimum, there should ALWAYS be a non-phone option (key fob, card, physical access). Housing shouldn’t rely entirely on apps working 100% of the time.

Is anyone else seeing this in Chicago?

Just moved in and I’m PISSED. I wanna rip my hair out. I’ve only been here for a few days and I’ve seen 6 of them already. The last tenant never reported any sightings of roaches (allegedly) but I don’t fucking believe that when there are literally roaches in the lobby, the hallways, AND MY APARTMENT.

Fuck Winnemac Properties. How predatory of you to know that you’re treating your building for roaches and yet, I’m paying over a thousand dollars for a unit? BTW, they only spray the fucking hallways and other common areas. Apartments have to manually opt in for their apartments to be sprayed. That’s literally all I needed to hear. You’re just keeping the problem at bay and out of sight. If no one’s apartments are being treated, this is going to be a full scale 4-floor infestation in a few months (if it isn’t already)

The apartments are nice. The roaches are an amenity though. Ask the tenants. They all had the same thousand yard stare when I asked them. But I’m being treated like I’m the only one in the fucking building that’s seeing them in my apartment.

[LOOKING] 2BR in Chicago | $2,100/mo budget | August 2026 Move-In | South Loop / West Loop / Near Downtown

Hey everyone! My roommate and I are searching for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chicago and hoping to move in around August 1st–2nd, 2026. (12 mo or longer lease)

Posting here to see if anyone has leads, listings, or tips!

About Us:

• Two young professionals
• No pets
• Non-smokers
• We're clean, respectful, and have good track record of on time rent payments

Neighborhoods We're Interested In:

• South Loop
• West Loop
• Near Downtown / The Loop
• Open to nearby neighborhoods that are safe and accessible

Budget:

• Max $2,100/mo total (~$1,050/person)

Preferance List:

• Highrise or modern mid-rise building
• In-unit or in-building laundry
• Gym / fitness center
• Rooftop or outdoor space is a bonus
• Doorman or secured entry preferred
• Close to CTA (Red/Blue/Green line or bus access)
• Near UIC or downtown Chicago

What We're Looking For in an Apartment:

• 2 bedrooms, 1+ bathroom
• ~800+ sq ft if possible
• Modern finishes a plus but not required
• Good natural light
• Safe, walkable neighborhood

Deal Breakers:

• No unsafe neighborhoods
• No buildings with major maintenance/pest issues
• No basement units
• Must allow two unrelated tenants on lease

Feel free to comment below if you have a listing or a referral! Happy to provide references. Thanks in advance, Chicago! 🙏

TL;DR see title

I can afford up to $1800 in rent but I only want to pay $1200 so I can have an emergency fund. My standards are not too high. I just want a dishwasher, shared or in-unit laundry, cats allowed, access to transit within a few blocks (especially green or pink line) and a decently safe walkable neighborhood with park(s) and at least one library plus cheap grocery stores like Aldi.

Is that too much to ask for? I have been searching on apartment sites but I see that most of the options for that price with those amenities are in bad neighborhoods that don't have what I am looking for. It confuses me because my rent now is $900 for a 1br and I live in a bad neighborhood but I have access to things in walking distance (groceries, library, huge park with pool facilities, several bus/train lines) so I figure that if I pay $300 more it should get me into a decent neighborhood. It's not like I'm trying to live in the upper crust neighborhoods or anything. When I say 'decently safe' my frame of reference is that I have lived on the South Side or West Side up to this point and nothing bad has ever happened to me because I'm not foolish or involved in gangs, etc. so that right there eliminates 90% of potential crimes.

Is it unrealistic or are there just no options right now during this time of year? Not trolling. Also I am not open to living with roommates AT ALL at all under any circumstances.

and for how long? (a week, 2 wks, a month etc). TIA!

I've seen the sticky, and the groups, and most seem to want to rent out at monthly+ rates. I'm already up in the suburbs and just wanted a 1-week staycation in the Loop but it's really hard to find anyone doing weekly rates. I'd be willing to pay ~$700 for a week or 10 days. Corporate sites jack up prices to $2000+ -_-

Currently about to be placed in eviction because it has been a shitty last few months and I feel behind on rent and just could not get caught up. My payment plan efforts fell back and instead of having my landlord make me feel worse I just decided to let it go. My intention right now is to pay it off before it gets to court. I have half the money I owe saved but obviously they won’t accept half only full payment.

I guess my question is : if it gets dismissed what does renting look like for me in the future?

Being single, no kids, no attachments, and significant others not spending much time at the apartment.

I feel I’m too old to respond to any ads. Am I too old to even consider that an option?

I have a preferred TOTAL budget of 2300, I can stretch it to 2400-2500 if I really like it. Total budget as in Rent, parking and utilities (willing to take out electricity as separate budget outside of housing). I don't mind studios at all, as long as it's over 400 sqft, preferrably over 450sqft. Good gym for amenity would be a great plus since it would let me save on gym membership. I would like an apartment building, not an owner of a unit renting out their own unit. Are there any recommendations on a certain building?

Okay so i’m moving in August. I feel like i’ve done so much research i could lose my mind but at the same time it seems like i haven’t done enough.

Can someone please give me their honest opinion on these 3 neighborhoods — South Loop, Bronzeville, Hyde Park?

Also I was able to find a place out in Bronzeville great price and sq… but is the area safe? It’s on S Saint Lawrence Ave

Hello hello, I’m pretty young, turning 22 this summer and I’ve been looking for an apartment in the Chicago area under or around the $1000/mo range, problem is my credit is VERY poor. Probably around 500 (thanks to some very poor credit card choices when I was younger). I’ve had a lot of trouble finding anything around that range for credit. My income is really great though, currently making a little more than $8000 a month pre taxes. I have around $5000 saved up as well and potentially greatly adding to that over the next few weeks. It would help to know that I have been renting for a little over 2 years. No evictions, on time payments and no outstanding rental or utility debt. I’ve read online that these are all useful things to have known for an application, I just worry that a lot of places will simply look at the credit score and my debt amount and simply pass.

I’m completely willing to do sublets/room for rents as well, but studios are preferred. I’d just be curious because I know people are knowledgeable here if there is anything I could or should do to actually get a place here. I’m not very picky about where apartment is, as long as it’s not in terribly dangerous zones of Chicago.

edit: should mention as well, that I don’t really have any options to have someone co-sign with me unfortunately.

(I’m not the owner/realtor of these properties**)

I’m currently on the hunt for a 2 or 3 bed apartment and came across these two listings that were just so awesome but not *exactly* what I’m looking for. I wanted to post them in case they’re right for anyone on here looking for a 3 bedroom!

Both are between 2300-2500/mo, have in unit W/D, are near by Belmont/Hermosa/Logan Square and ready for move in anytime

I’m honestly sad not to be living in this first one…when I toured it I was blown away- the space is huge with tons of light/windows and it’s the top floor of a two story which is ideal. Everything is clean and nicely renovated, but with the right amount of original vintage touches. I hope whoever signs this unit someday enjoys it thoroughly!!!

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2143-N-Keystone-Ave-2-Chicago-IL-60639/2109913517\_zpid/

This one is also very spacious, top floor, renovated, and has the option of a garage parking spot behind the building (which I am dying for the luxury of having someday- I never want to scrape ice off my car at 7am ever again 😭)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3804-W-Diversey-Ave-2-Chicago-IL-60647/2093625247\_zpid/

Anyway hope these listings find their way to the right person !

Hey chicagoans,
Just curious if anybody has lived next to this station and can tell me about its noise level?
I’m a light sleeper but wear earplugs, I just want to know if it’s obnoxiously loud before I sign an apt nearby

Thanks

Looking for a studio near Lakeview, Lincoln Park or Logan Square.

Budget up to $1400. A/C is a must. A parking spot would be great, either on the site or easy street parking.

Available now or mid July, eventually August 1st.

I’m open to any nearby neighborhoods so if you know of a good apartment building, property management company, or private landlord, I’d really appreciate your recommendations!

Hello I accepted a position in another state that doesn’t start until around November. The apartment I am staying in now is obligated at the end of the month. Basically I need short-term housing from August to around November. Do you have any ideas on the best sites to find short-term housing in Chicago? I don’t want to sign a lease so something month-to-month would be best.

I looked at Domu and while they have a temporary housing section, when you click on the available places, they look more like rentals that require a lease. When I went to craigslist, I saw a few places, but whenever I contacted the landlord or whatever no one gets back to me. I’m also worried that some of those places might not be legit.

The neighborhoods, I prefer are on the northside Andersonville, Lakeview, Rogers Park, Edgewater. But I’m open to anything.
I am willing to consider Evanston or Oak Park as well.
A studio or one bedroom would be fine.

So I’m moving to Chicago soon and I’m looking for apartment recommendations and neighborhood recommendations as well. All the online postings I’ve seen all have bad reviews

My price range is 1300/mo a studio or 1 bed would be sufficient with a minimum of 550sqft I’m moving by September to start my new job which is at ord airport so I would prefer to find a job near the airport or by the Lake with a view lol I know for my price range it’s mission impossible but If anyone you be able to help it’s the Chicago natives themself 😅