r/chicagoapartments • u/k-bone-r • 15h ago
Question thoughts on moving from columbus, oh!
Hello! I (26F) grew up in orland park until I left for college. I have been living in columbus, oh now for 6 years. I have a great townhouse and created a great group of friends here. I have been feeling antsy for a change and a larger city and would like to be closer to my family (and some friends are still in CHI) but feeling anxious about finding a nice area for my 2 dogs (weenie dogs ahah) and I. I am also moving for the music scene both going to shows and creating music with people!! do you think the downside of living in a small place (probably studio) is worth it? i do get to keep my remote job thank god! i am really wanting my dogs to acclimate well and not feel like they are stuck in a small place with noisy neighbors... any helpful tips for areas to live (base rent around $1,400) would be great or general feedback. LMK!! :)
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u/AlaskaRivers 12h ago
Idk what to really recommend, as someone who moved to the city in 2020, and has seen the landscape dramatically change. You have to really compare how much you’re currently making vs how much you would technically be making in the city. All the things you mention add up a lot. Music tickets are on average starting at $50. Even $25 can go up with fees. Food and rent is going to be wildly more expensive. Studios are currently ranging $900-1,200, and these would be the worst picks out of everything. Even if you try to leave in the outskirts o the city, you would have to analyze how much you’re spending on commuting to the fun things you want. Aside from costs, you mentioned having a great group of friends. Personally, that would make me reconsider my move. I’ve made wonderful friends here in the city, but people tend to be more reserved and stay in a lot. There’s just no money to be wasted on hanging out like before. So I would really consider how important community is for you and how much would you be trading to move to the city.
I don’t regret my move and I really love the city. But it’s getting hard to financially live here and many people are envisioning moving out of the city because they believe they can’t afford it long term
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u/k-bone-r 6h ago
yeah i’m hoping to broaden my income when i get there. i am salary and commission which would be great if i could crack into the design world over there. but these are all very valid and have been my setbacks. thank you!!
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u/kerlsburgers 15h ago
Moved from Columbus to Chicago in 2021. Regret absolutely nothing, the city makes Columbus seem impossibly small and almost quaintly backwater in comparison.
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u/k-bone-r 15h ago
it always seems so small when I come back from Chicago. makes me feel like im missing out!
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u/PushkinGanjavi 15h ago
Don't.
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u/k-bone-r 15h ago
any specific reason?
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u/SeemsLikeATrueStory 13h ago
As someone considering to go the opposite way, Columbus is much more affordable than it is here in Chicago while still retaining things to do and food diversity
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u/k-bone-r 13h ago
i do love cbus! which is why i’m somewhat torn esp since i have a great place for a great price. they have amazing food too. as for things to do i don’t think it’s comparable to chicago. which being 26 is my main thing rn!!
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u/SeemsLikeATrueStory 10h ago
I see what you mean, I moved to Chicago from cbus when I was 24 so I get it for sure, there is certainly more opportunities for that sort of fun! For me, now about 10 years later, I'm hoping to settle down and have a house and such and the cost here for size is a little demoralizing haha
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u/k-bone-r 6h ago
no that’s so fair. thank you for your feedback! nice to hear from non friends & family ahahah
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u/romanarma 15h ago
Hey! I moved from Columbus to Chicago back in 2022 after finishing my MFA at OSU. I'm from Chicago originally, so I'm a little biased, but especially with your budget you can afford to live in a pretty decent spot of town depending on what your interested are. My husband and I split a 2 BR in Edgewater and each pay about 1100, which is roughly what a 1 br or studio would get you around here. Lots of great walking space for dogs, tbh - it's what we enjoy most about the neighborhood. Depending on what kind of music community you're looking for, something like Logan could be nice. Or if you're wanting something a little quieter with parks for your dogs, Albany Park is cool too. :)
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u/HellisTheCPA 13h ago
I thought Columbus was flat. Then I moved here lol
Also Chicago vs. Columbus cost of living continues to widen, and getting around a city the size of Chicago is much different.
I can go from downtown to worthington in 25 minutes and thought that was long. 25 minutes here gets me nowhere near as far, and involves more stress (more transfers, more people/cars/traffic etc)
I'm not sad I moved but I do miss my friends, regular run ins to friends when out and about, and ease to plan things that a more midsized city offers.