Salaries at Northwestern, Rush, Children's Memorial?

nursemaryj · Mar 14, 2012

I will be watching this thread because I am also looking for RN work by June....coming from California. Average apartment in Chicago depends on which area you would like to live. I would estimate $1,200 to $1,300, though you may find it higher or lower in different areas.

PrayToTheUnicorn · Mar 14, 2012

I am not an RN but a pre-nursing student. However, I can tell you that the cost of living CAN be a lot less in Chicago vs. NYC depending on where you live. In the city, there are several affordable, fun neighborhoods, and there are overpriced ones. At least, I think they are overpriced having lived in NYC myself for 7 years. Depends on if you want to live in a white-bred all-American Lexus-driving area, or if you are willing to live in one of the more ethnically diverse, artistic or up-and-coming neighborhoods. The latter can run you anywhere from $850 - $1400 or more for a 2 bdr. Personally I believe it is best to figure out your budget and then pick a neighborhood that fits it, rather than getting your mind set on a certain neighborhood and living out of your means.

Be aware that Rush and Northwestern are magnet hospitals and you have to have a minimum BSN to work as a nurse there.

In addition to your list, maybe look into Swedish Hospital, Advocate, Resurrection, North Shore and the hospital at University of Chicago (a research facility!) I know people who work at some of these and they love it. A few of these are trauma centers, at least one I mentioned has great L&D facilities, and UC has a children's hospital now.

Don't fall into the trap of many people here who think that they HAVE to work at Nwstrn or Rush or they will just die!

UpliftingRN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

Thanks a lot for the input guys :). I definitely plan on steering clear of the "white-bred all-American Lexus-driving area" as both my boyfriend and I are very into the whole up and coming diverse and artistic vibe. I currently live in spanish Harlem which is exactly that. I would love to find somewhere as similar as possible in Chicago. I was thinking Roger's Park, Uptown, Edgewater.... from what I've read on blogs those seem to be that kind of neighborhood. Any other suggestions? We visited Chicago for 4 days back in December and visited spots from Rogers Park to south loop along the L. Having lived in NYC for 7 years (same as me by the way) I figure you would know the best place to live that would have more of an NYC trendy artistic feel to it. Any other advice greatly appreciated!! I'm so looking forward to Chi-town!! :yeah:

PrayToTheUnicorn · Mar 14, 2012

In NYC I lived in Greenpoint but this was before the great migration east and definitely before the era of new construction and renovation. Ah, those were the days (2000-ish).

Based on your current area you may really enjoy Humboldt Park or Pilsen.

Pilsen is on the near south side and is mainly Mexican and very affordable rent-wise. It runs along 18th street and you can get there on the pink line el.

Logan Square and Avondale are a mix between families and young professionals. Same for Humboldt Park, which is also the Puerto Rican neighborhood. These are very near the hipster-artsy-bohemian areas of Wicker Park, Bucktown and Ukrainian Village and along the blue line el.

If I could afford to live in Lincoln Square I would love that. German, Polish, Korean and Thai food abounds, and everything in between too. A mix of young professionals and families but I am priced out (it's very nice up there). It is along the brown line el.

Hyde Park is gorgeous and has some nice restaurants and shops. It's near UC.

The areas you mention are affordable. Where you live might depend on where your job is, since you'll probably want to live on the el line that goes nearest to work.

As an aside, Chicago is very divided geographically along racial lines. The north side is very homogenously white. West and northwest are white and hispanic. Near south is black and hispanic, and farther south is mainly black. There are exceptions of course, but that's the basic breakdown. I mention this not to get into some big discussion about this aspect of the city, but for some reference points and food for thought for you since you enjoy living in Spanish Harlem and enjoy the multicultural aspects of a diverse neighborhood (me too).

UpliftingRN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

That was really helpful, thanks a ton!!

joanie2341 · Mar 15, 2012

Just a word of caution about some of these neighborhoods. I wouldn't walk from the "L" in Pilsen or Humboldt Park at night by myself. Take into consideration what shift you will be working. Obviously you need to always be aware of your surroundings no matter where (even is so called "safe" neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lake View, Streeterville, etc.) But some neighborhoods are better than others as far as walking at night.

Also, 1 bedrooms in Chicago are so expensive! It's much cheaper to get a 2 bedroom if you can handle a roommate.

Just my 2 cents.

PrayToTheUnicorn · Mar 15, 2012

My advice hinges on the assumption that a person who chooses to live in Spanish Harlem likely has a moderate to high level of street smarts and could probably handle living in Humboldt or Pilsen.

Having lived in the Bronx (241st/Wakefield) for a year before I moved to Brooklyn, now that I'm in Chicago I find Humboldt or Pilsen liveable, but there are areas of the city I do admittedly completely avoid. Luckily, I can afford to live elsewhere so this is a non-issue for me, but for someone on a limited budget the "safe" areas may be absolutely out, so I'm just trying to provide info.

In the past year, many of the "safe" neighborhoods have been having their share of problems. Theft, stabbings and muggings trending upward even in the nicer areas now.

For the record, I pay $900 for a 1 bedroom in Ukrainian Village, but I split that with the boyfriend and consider myself lucky as all get out. You can get a 2 br. for the same price in parts of Logan Sq though.

UpliftingRN, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

Again thanks for the info. I do consider myself quite street smart but if I had the choice I would definitely err on the side of safety as far as my place of residence. My main concern is more along the lines of accessibility and activity options. Being from New York I'm used to eating out at least 3 nights a week, going to the theater, art galleries, etc. all within walking distance. That being said I would easily give up living in a more "safe" neighborhood for the diversity and fun of a more up and coming one.

Gatsbygreat · Mar 20, 2012

I really agree with PraytoTheUnicorn. Humboldt or Logan Square sounds like they could be great fits. I live in the meat packing district in the West Loop and I love it! But...it is expensive. My fiancee and I pay 1500/month in rent but that is for a 1 bedroom with a washer and dryer in unit and a dishwasher (I know, exciting) plus parking is much easier by us. We lived in Lakeview for some years and it sounds like you would hate that area. Lakeview is like the starter neighborhood in Chicago. It has everything you need: big corporate stores, a few independent businesses, bars on every corner, and within steps to the lake. But it is so densely populated that parking is a nightmare, and big businesses are always pushing the smaller ones out. Humboldt is really up and coming. It borders Wicker Park and Bucktown which were the up and coming neighborhoods (but are now hipster central) but it isn't the safest at 4 in the morning. You might also like Ukranian Village. Its artsy, diverse, and down to earth. It has nightlife, but not in the sports bar only sort of way. You could always rent a place on airbnb.com, tour the city and find the neighborhood for you. Watch out for uptown though. The gang activity was really bad in the west but it's moving more towards the north and the loop recently. Hope this helps.

PrayToTheUnicorn · Mar 20, 2012

Ultimately, the options are endless and only you can visit and determine.

My short-list suggestions are Logan Square (blue line), Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park (blue line), Lincoln Square (brown line) and Andersonville because all of these areas have their own mini urban centers of shopping and eating/nightlife streets, are relatively safe but still have some affordability if you look closely. How could I have forgotten Andersonville in earlier discussions? It's super cute and has lots to see and do, tons of antique and refab/thrift shops, great restaurants, quiet pretty side streets. Has some culture as it's the main lesbian neighborhood. Andersonville and Ukrainian Village both are a bit off the train lines but not completely undoable.

ashfost, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2012

Anyone have any info on Wrigleyville or Lincoln Park? Relocating from ATL in another year and those were the areas we were told to look into.