Moving to Hyde Park Chicago can be a real change of pace for some. For those relocating within the city, Hyde Park is an area unlike anything else with a real neighborhood vibe and eclectic mix of bustling city life and quiet, easy-going neighborhood peace. For those coming to Chicago for the first time, our city and Hyde Park, in general, may seem like a drastic shift from their former town.

So what’s it like moving to Hyde Park? The best people to answer that are those who live here. And lucky for you, we know a few. Below outlines thoughts and opinions from our own residents about their experience living in our little corner of the world.

YOUR GUIDE TO MOVING IN HYDE PARK, CHICAGO

Ivy Residences map of Hyde Park Chicago

STEP ONE: FIND YOUR LOCATION

Hyde Park, while smaller in comparison to other areas like Logan Square or Ravenswood, still has a decent amount of separation. It’ll be up to you to determine what type of living experience you prefer.

In our neck of the woods, there are three main streets that run east and west (E. Hyde Park Blvd, 53rd St, and 55th St) as well as 3 main streets that run north and south (Lake Park Blvd, Woodlawn Ave, and Drexel Ave). These streets are busier in nature and often are home to local shops, restaurants, and conveniences (think banks, pharmacies, Target, etc.).

Living on these streets is great because you’re steps from everything. Need a cup of coffee on your way out the door? Did you run out of paper plates and have guests coming in 15 minutes? Do you want to grab some cash from the bank ATM before the weekend begins? All of these instances may be as simple as running downstairs.

Keep in mind that these locations may rent quicker than other locations, and you may also hear more city noise if you leave windows open due to the increased traffic.

Something great about Ivy Residences is that we have many communities that are close to these main streets without being right on top of them. Maybe your jaunt to the coffee shop is a half-block instead of right downstairs, but it may also be a little quieter or closer to other local highlights like our many parks.

Don’t forget about public transit! If you plan to utilize Chicago’s incredible bus and train systems, you may want to consider this as well. While all of our communities keep you within walking distance to numerous stops, consider which one you will use the most when choosing your location. After all, our weather can be unpredictable, and no one wants to walk farther in the rain/snow if they can avoid it.

woman examines her personal budget at home on her laptop while referencing printed documents

STEP TWO: DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET & MUST-HAVES

A big part of moving, especially when coming from out of town, is to understand what you can afford. In different cities and regions, the cost of living varies greatly, which can alter your end choice.

It’s best to first define how much you can afford to put towards rent each month. We recommend using Brixbid’s rent calculator. It allows you to input all of your monthly expenses in, then tells you how much you can comfortably spend based on your own preferences.

Hyde Park is great because while you’re just 10 minutes from the Loop, you tend to get more square footage for your dollar than other neighborhoods that are similar in proximity to downtown. According to Zumper, rent in Hyde Park averages out at the following:

studios = $971 per month

one-bedrooms = $1,585 per month

two-bedrooms = $2,085 per month

three-bedrooms = $2,298 per month

Use this as a guide to determine what apartment size is right for you. Keep in mind that these are averages, so rents can vary for a number of reasons, such as when you decide to rent, renovation level, and the exact location.

While it’s nice to have the newest updates in your apartment, it’s not worth it if that means you can’t have some fun money for a night out on the town or a special vacation. Conversely, if this average sounds lower than you were anticipating, you may want to opt for higher-end finishes or choose to get a larger size than you were planning.

couple walks into empty apartment tour while moving to hyde park chicago

STEP THREE: TOUR APARTMENTS

Once you’ve determined what you’re willing to spend and what size apartment best fits your needs, it’s time to start browsing! We may be a little biased, but we recommend viewing available apartments through Ivy Residences, as we have over 20 properties in Hyde Park alone.

You can simply call or email our team, and we can provide you with the best recommendations based on your preferences. This saves you time instead of fumbling through websites like Apartments.com and Zillow, which only give you a small glimpse of what each community is like.

Ivy Residences also gives you the freedom to schedule an in-person or virtual tour over FaceTime or Zoom. If you’re moving from far away and can’t get to Hyde Park to tour apartments, we can walk you through different apartments in real-time so you feel confident that you’ve made the right housing choice for you.

When touring an apartment, it’s important to ask any questions you may have about the apartment, the community, and the neighborhood. Some common questions we get asked are:

  • What are local things to do around here?
  • How close am I to public transit?
  • How much do utilities cost?
  • Do I need renter’s insurance?
  • Is there laundry on-site?
  • Is there parking nearby?
  • How can I contact my property manager if I have questions?
  • Where is trash/recycling located?
  • Is this area pet-friendly?

STEP FOUR: EXPLORE!

Next, it’s time to explore your new neighborhood! Not sure where to start? We’ve got some great recommendations on our blog, or you can view our most recent Neighborhood Guide created by our residents!