Chicago is one of the major business centers of the Midwest. Famous for hospitality, the city has heart and soul, along with great food and music. When you start your journey of locating an apartment to rent, it is a good idea to learn about the different neighborhoods to choose the one that works best for you.

The atmosphere in the apartment rental market is upscale but there are still bargains to be found. Using a real estate broker or an apartment locator service for a set fee is the route that many people take, because their scheduled do not allow them a lot of time to find an apartment on their own.

You will save a lot of money if you can search for an apartment on your own; read through the classified ads of the local and neighborhood newspapers .

Whichever method you choose, having an understanding of what each neighborhood has to offer is the first place to start. You can find apartments in neighborhoods with every type of cultural makeup.

Consider your lifestyle as well; what type of environment do you prefer? Chicago has waterfront communities; quiet tree lined streets and fast paced venues. You can live in a high-rise apartment complex or a walk-up apartment building.

Here are the profiles of two of the most popular neighborhoods in the city:

Northwestern University is located in Evanston, one of the most beautiful areas in Chicago because of its fabulous lakefront setting. If you love shopping and dining out, you will enjoy a selection of stores and restaurants that has made Evanston famous and only 30 minutes away from the Loop.

This area has both classic and modern architecture; apartment rentals can be found in single family homes, small apartment buildings, lofts, condominiums and high rise apartment buildings. The average studio apartment rental range from $600-$1200, for a one bedroom apartment rents range from $750 to $2000 and a mid sized two bedroom apartment rental starts at $950 to $2500.

If you work for a company that is located in the Loop and want to live close to this area, take a look at the South Loop. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the presence of several tourist attractions make apartments in this area very desirable.

If you would rather not drive, this area has good public transportation, you will your choice of five trains and several bus lines that service the Loop. There is a lot of competition for apartment rentals because of the presence of two art colleges. In the South Loop, the average studio apartment rental range from $750-$1000, rental fees for a one bedroom apartment are $1100 to $1900 and you will find a mid sized two bedroom apartment rental for $1500 to $4000.

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Find more information on apartments in the Chicago area at Chicago apartments for rent