How to Move to Chicago
A few facts...
According to Sperling's Best Places, these cities are more expensive than Chicago: San Fran, NYC, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and DC.
Chicago has the highest sales tax of any other U.S. metropolis: 10.25%
Average price of regular, unleaded gas: $2.79/gal, regular unleaded (Feb. 2009)
The best way to find an apartment?
The Reader or Craigslist. You can also try the “free” apartment services. An agent will take you out in his/her car to look for a place. These companies will charge you a finder’s fee of $200-$300 if you take one of the apartments they show you.
Cheap rents and rental advice?
I checked the Reader, where I’ve always found the best deals. Live-able apartments in decent neighborhoods can be found at these rates, heat included:
Studio: $600-$700
1 BRM: $750
2 BRM: $1,200
3 BRM: $1,450-$1,500
It’s a renter’s market right now, so please negotiate! Many management companies are taking action, reducing $15-$20/mo from the advertised price to further entice a potential tenant. Management companies are also changing their policies regarding security deposits. Some ask for $250-$350 in non-refundable “move-in” fees, instead.
Cheapest safe neighborhoods?
Most common to entertainment industry folks just starting out are Andersonville and Wicker Park. Also try Lincoln Square, Wrigleyville, and Albany Park. Be near a grocery store: Jewel, Dominick’s, Aldi’s.
Transportation?
You’re a performer, student, etc.? Forget your car. We have plenty of trains and buses. Live off the Red or Blue lines and you’ll be fine. The Brown line is safe, but may be inconvenient if you frequently travel after Midnight.
How much money should I save before I move?
I recommend 4 months of your projected
What about jobs?
The unemployment rate in Chicago was 10.6% for December. No industry has been spared job losses. If you're an artist, try the temp agencies first, then the papers -- Tribune, Sun Times, Reader. I also suggest you walk around your neighborhood and look for businesses that are hiring.
If you're working under a temp agency, you can leave with very little notice should you land something better or more permanent, and that's the advantage. The Larko Group is often advertised in PerformInk. I was a Kelly girl myself for a number of years.
How do I break into the entertainment industry?
That's a post of a different color, but I can tell you that print ads, commercials, and television series are non-existent right now, and feature film shoots are sporadic, even though we renewed our tax incentive. Also, Oprah and Bonnie Hunt are leaving, which means the Chicago job market will soon be swimming in highly qualified television workers.
Other advice?
Get yourself the Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago. And read my other posts:
$100 from Bank of America
Resolutions for 2010
1) Going to the gym more often. I haven't stopped going, I've just been going less in the last 6 weeks or so. And, there've been undesirable changes in skin clarity, abdominal tone, flexibility, so I'm going more frequently.
2) Tracking my check-savings account and living under budget. Since combining my checking and savings account, it's become harder to determine whether or not I'm living within my monthly budget. Last month, I took my take home pay for the month, subtracted recurring bills and my monthly savings goal, and wrote the remainder on a Post-It. That's how much I have available, monthly, for all other expenses. At the end of each day, I subtract the day's expenses (if any), write the new number on the note, and scratch out the old number. Thus far, I'm well within my budget, and will probably have a surplus at the end of the month. It's possible had a surplus every month, but I just didn't KNOW which was uncomfortable. Now I know and am relieved.
3) Not paying for clothing with salary. This is more like a game I play, rather than a resolution. I have a list of clothing I need. I try to get these items as gifts or pay with them through gift cards, bank rewards for new accounts, or profits from day-trading. In 2009, I got an evening gown, shirt, and scarf as birthday gifts. For Christmas, I received gloves, tennis shoes, and a Victoria's Secret gift card which will help replace some unmentionables. Day-trading paid for socks, hose, and part of a suit. I also just opened a Bank of America checking account, and hope to get Hunter wellys with the $100 bonus.
4) Learning French. I've meant to do this for 2 years. A few days ago, a friend gave me some software. I started right away. Instead of $370-$400 for the software, it was free.
Did you make resolutions? What were they?
Christmas Breakdown
But, I got other things too... like a new Sak purse and a Victoria's Secret gift card from my sister; Starfrit cookware, a Panasonic Blu-ray DVD player, and 2 DVDs from my folks; cash and candy from my aunt & uncle; gloves, a bracelet, and slippers from my aunt; and the Small Fry skillet (just large enough for one egg), an egg slicer, and hand sanitizer from my cousin.
While in the Midwest, I took advantage of the 6% sales tax and a sale at Dillard's to purchase 2 Ralph Lauren bath towels and 4 wash cloths for $38. I also bought 2 pair of pumps to go with a brown suit. Yes, they were on sale, but not enough for me to recommend.
Did you have a good Christmas? Feel free to tell us all about it!
Happy Holidays!
Dumped My Magnavox for a Vizio
This year, I decided the Magnavox had reached the end of its usefulness. I found myself using my computer with it's 17" screen for all my entertainment. It was just easier.
Sixteen years and a day later, I bought a Vizio VO320E LCD television for $388 from Amazon. With 2% of the purchase price as a cash reward on my Charles Schwab card, the final price of the television was $380.24. Oddly enough, Amazon raised the price to $411 on Black Friday AND Cyber Monday, decreasing the price in-between. $411 is also the price today.
This Vizio is highly rated by Consumer Reports and by the vast majority of consumer reviewers on other websites. Remember, I never rely on just one source! Delivery was no problem, and the TV worked great right out of the box, requiring no attempts to calibrate from me.
Thank you little Magnavox. We have some great memories, but I look forward to the future with my new Vizio!
Great Christmas Gifts for 2009
Ralph Lauren men's beige terrycloth robe, one-size-fits-all from TJ Maxx: $44
Carbon Fiber & Stainless Steel (21 mm long x 14 mm wide) cuff links from Overstock.com: $34
Gift certificates to a local pizza parlor: $30
Planet Earth DVD set from Amazon: $26
Self-assembled food gift bag of gingerbread cookies, peppermint cookies, Ghiradelli holiday chocolate assortment bag, and chocolate bar all from Filene's Basement for my company's gift exchange: $25
Sony Power Battery Charger with 4 AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries from Amazon: $17
Monet hanging 2010 calendar from Borders: $15
It's A Wonderful Life: 60th Anniversary Ed. DVD from Amazon: $14
Cinnamon/Vanilla toiletries in a green Christmas bucket from TJ Maxx: $11
Schmitt Sohne Spatlese 2007 Riesling from Binny's: $10. This will be bundled with some cheese from Pastoral, and a whole pineapple or some pears.
Manneheim "Christmas" CD from Amazon: $9
At my aunt's request, I'm also donating to a local charity instead of giving her a gift. I've made a certificate signifying my donation, printed an envelope with her name and some Christmas graphics, and bought a stuffed Snoopy from CVS ($5) to hold the envelope under the tree.
If you've got a killer Christmas gift idea, feel free to share it!
I should mention that my Christmas budget comes from an extra fee I receive at this time every year. Christmas travel and gifts don't disturb my regular contributions to savings.
Happy Thanksgiving
Amazon Saves Christmas
Book for cousin: $8
Sonicare toothbrush for cousin: $27
Automobile booster seat for Mom: $15
Dexter, seasons 1-3 DVDs for Mom: $67
I should mention that my Christmas budget comes from an extra fee I receive at this time every year. Christmas travel and gifts don't disturb my regular contributions to savings.
Vanessa Moves, Then Gets A Job
She's living in a studio on the Upper West Side, and actually making ends meet.