J1 Chicago (merged)

Pops451

Planning on going to Chicago for the Summer, does anyone have any advice on where to live, work etc??

BuffyBot

Pops, as your new I'm sure you don't know, but it's normally good to just post a thread once in the appropriate forum and not a few times over different forums

I've tidied up your other posts, and left the one here where you'll probably find the best J1 advice

ballooba

Find accomodation close to the Red Line in the vicinity of Wrigley Field. Failing that try Lincoln Park. I can have a look at any locations for you if you want. Just PM me. I spent two summers in Chicago. Wish I could do it again.

I'm not sure what bars are popular these days. Deja Vu used to be the spot but I hear it's quiet these days. Cullen's on Southport should be still good on Sunday nights.

tywy

I'd love to go to Chicago but my boyfriend wants to go to NYC. What's good about Chicago that will sell it to him!

Xavi6

ballooba wrote: »

Find accomodation close to the Red Line in the vicinity of Wrigley Field. Failing that try Lincoln Park. I can have a look at any locations for you if you want. Just PM me. I spent two summers in Chicago. Wish I could do it again.

I'm not sure what bars are popular these days. Deja Vu used to be the spot but I hear it's quiet these days. Cullen's on Southport should be still good on Sunday nights.

+1 on all that. Deja Vu is some spot! Cullen's wasn't too bad either.

Wrigley Field is definitely the place to be if you're on a J1

ANXIOUS

Just back there for the summer. that was deja poo by the end of the summer lol. We we're up in the burb's by ohare. The kerry man was a good spot.

pisslips

Yeah, I'm planning to go there too.I have relations and a job there but everyone I asked seems to be going to San Francisco.So I'm in two minds.

jame5_b

For the people who have been there before where can the best jobs be got or is it difficult to get any job over there?

scaramanga

jame5_b wrote: »

For the people who have been there before where can the best jobs be got or is it difficult to get any job over there?

waitering in one of the hotels off michican ave. imo. i was in the hyatt regeny in the city centre deadly tips work easy.
ps , i got very very lucky with this job my hours were usually 2pm to 10 too:)

jame5_b

scaramanga wrote: »

waitering in one of the hotels off michican ave. imo. i was in the hyatt regeny in the city centre deadly tips work easy.
ps , i got very very lucky with this job my hours were usually 2pm to 10 too:)

did you just drop a load of CVs into the different hotels or did you sort it out before you got there?

scaramanga

jame5_b wrote: »

did you just drop a load of CVs into the different hotels or did you sort it out before you got there?

na just applied when i got there , but the day i was applying to this place they were doing interviews as well so i had the job got in an hour.(as i said was very lucky)

ballooba

jame5_b wrote: »

For the people who have been there before where can the best jobs be got or is it difficult to get any job over there?

I think you have to find the best jobs. They won't find you. Find an apartment and then walk around inquiring in local businesses. Otherwise hit downtown and Navy Pier and do the same. you may get lucky and get a job through a friend or contact but don't count on it.

rookie69

Myself and a few friends are going to Chicago on a j1. We're looking at craigslist.com but have to idea what area we should be looking into staying in. I looked at a few houses locations on googlemaps but the city seems so big i don't have a clue where to start.

What area should we be looking at? I see around wrigley field was mentioned. Is there many pubs/clubs around that area? Is that close to the city centre?

What area in Chicago would be the like the O'Connell street area of Dublin?

CountryWise

Was there a few years back, Lincoln Park area is great to live and close to both Wrigley Field and also the city, excellent city you lucky f***

rookie69

Ha yea, i was having doubts about going there at the start because i thought it'd just be like any other city i've been to. I was thinking of going to san diego for the beach lifestyle but absolutely everybody i've talked to thats been to Chicago says what an amazing city it is!! If everyones opinion is what they say it is, it's gonna be an amazing summer!

rollerderby

I am from Chicago. Wrigleyville/Lakeview (same area) is a great place to live and work on a J1. You don't want to live downtown...it would be like living in the middle of the IFSC or something. All the happening spots are on the Northside. Wicker Park and Uki Village is cool too. If I was visiting for a short time I'd make sure to be reasonably close to the red line or the blue line.

Last summer my neighborbood (Wrigleyville) was swarming with irish. If anyone from ireland want's to live/work in wrigleyville I can offer tips are places that i know have hired J1s in the past.

Cheers.

Xavi6

rollerderby wrote: »

I am from Chicago. Wrigleyville/Lakeview (same area) is a great place to live and work on a J1. You don't want to live downtown...it would be like living in the middle of the IFSC or something. All the happening spots are on the Northside. Wicker Park and Uki Village is cool too. If I was visiting for a short time I'd make sure to be reasonably close to the red line or the blue line.

Last summer my neighborbood (Wrigleyville) was swarming with irish. If anyone from ireland want's to live/work in wrigleyville I can offer tips are places that i know have hired J1s in the past.

Cheers.

What he said. I lived in Wrigleyville for four months in 2005 and it's the perfect spot. Great bars. Make sure you go to some baseball while you're there. Great day/night out, Best city I've been to in America

UCDstudent

rollerderby wrote: »

I am from Chicago. Wrigleyville/Lakeview (same area) is a great place to live and work on a J1. You don't want to live downtown...it would be like living in the middle of the IFSC or something. All the happening spots are on the Northside. Wicker Park and Uki Village is cool too. If I was visiting for a short time I'd make sure to be reasonably close to the red line or the blue line.

Last summer my neighborbood (Wrigleyville) was swarming with irish. If anyone from ireland want's to live/work in wrigleyville I can offer tips are places that i know have hired J1s in the past.

Cheers.

Hey Rollerderby,

Im heading to chicago for the summer and hope to get some kind of apartment or house in or around wriggleyville. I havnt been there before so any tips you could offer would be invaluable.

Cheers

chicago2008baby

yeah im the same heading there end of may and any info very much appreciated!!!

blow69

I'm also going:D Again tips are very welcome.Like are houses/apartments cheap enough for maybe 6 people. Any websites or personal recomendations?:)

Xavi6

craigslist.com is the biggest afaik. There's a load on it anyway to get you started. Make sure you stay around Lincoln Park/Wrigleyville area. Best spots for nightlife

Neamhshuntasach

don't go work in a lane bryant clothing store

jane86

Neamhshuntasach wrote: »

don't go work in a lane bryant clothing store

Why?

Black Swan

Look for a place on the Northside, avoiding downtown and the Southside for a residence. Be extra cautious taking the L (elevated train) at night, as there have been an occasional gang problem.

Although a bit north, you might check with Northwestern University to see if they have a student exchange programme you can access, to where you can stay cheap on campus. They will be on their summer schedule and have a lot of vacancies. Also, many students leave their flats during the summer, but are required to keep their lease. Some of these go unoccupied, and would welcome a subleasee for a fraction of the monthly cost. Check with Northwestern's student union for contact information.

Neamhshuntasach

jane86 wrote: »

Why?

Cause 5 women got shot up in the store the other day.

I was being sarcastic anyways

spideog7

I'm off there too for the summer, on my own... just thought I'd jump on that bandwagon

UCDstudent

Whats the craic with getting a place to stay over there. Im hearing conflicting reports from people who say whether its better to get it sorted before you go and others who say wait till your over there and you can see what your getting.

Any advice?

phantomwolf

I know this sounds like a really childish question but do many girls go to chicago. Im a guy by the way

rookie69

Has anyone got any accomodation sorted for chicago or are ye gonna wait till you all get there to try sort it out?

And for anyone thats been there.... i know you all say lincoln park/wrigley field area are the spots to stay, but how far north is too far out of the way from everything?

Would it be alright to stay a bit north of wrigley field stadium?

jane86

Anyone interested in sharing accomodation??

A Primal Nut

I'm going to Chicago on my own this summer. Have a job and know the good areas to stay - Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park seem to be the two everyone mentions.

But that type of accomadation would be best for meeting people - frat house, room in apartment, hostel?

princess-sprkle

I'm going on my own as well! anyone else?

princess-sprkle

Hey,
I'm thinking about going to Chicago for the summer, none of my friends can go because of college stuff/work stuff. Is there anyone here looking to travel over? share accomodation or anything?

I'm in my last year in ucd, 21 f.

hope this place is the right place for this!

PeakOutput

u should defo go here and do a jump

http://www.skydivechicago.com/

blow69

Me and about 3/4 friends are haeading to Chicago this Summer. We are all 19/20 male but methinks there is 2 girls joining the group aswell. We have no definite accommodation yet. We might have to stay in a hostel for the 1st couple of days. The girls may have accommodation secured already(from what ive heard). Feel free to P.M me or anything and i can keep you posted. The more the merrier!

We leave no man behind:D

A Primal Nut

As I mentioned in another thread I'm heading to Chicago on my own as well - have a job still need accomadation. Would be nice to have someone to look for a place with.

A Primal Nut

I'm heading on my own to Chicago this year and have a couple of questions:

What hostel do most Irish students stay in, in Chicago? Or what would people here recommend? I'm hoping to meet some people when I go over there first then look for a place afterwards.

Whats the story with Taxback.com. Do you have to apply before you leave?

I got a voucher before about getting a US Sim but I lost it somehow.:( Anyone know how to go about getting a US sim for a phone? What websites, etc?

Thanks a lot!

DeadMoney

Hey, heading over in about 10 days and am looking to book a hostel for a night or two to get settled. Can anybody who has been there before recommend a nice affordable hostel?
Cheers:)

HairyGoose

Don't think have many, if any. I spent ages on the internet lookin for ones and there were none, in fact.

blow69

http://www.hostelworld.com/findabed.php/ChosenCity.Chicago/ChosenCountry.USA?source=googleadwordseuro&gclid=CJr806HKxZMCFQuJ1QodNS1kDA

Innervision

We're staying in Hostel International Chicago (think it's called that!), there wasn't a whole lot of choice there's not that many in the city

blow69

Ya we are staying there aswell! Some of the reviews weren't great but some were alright. I guess you just shouldn't have high expectations going there:)

A Primal Nut

I'm staying in Hi Hostel, just arrived today. Its ok - i consider it a little expensive considering its bare minimum - not somewhere you could stay for a long time.

Innervision

Yeah that's kind of what we're expecting, A Primal Nut how's the location? That's what we're most concerned with really!

neacy69

I went to chicago in Nov last year and the HI was booked out....we ended renting a private apartment for about $350 for 4 nights...great value great location....

There is very little choice of hostels in chicago

liam-h

stayed there for over a week last summer when looking for a house. Its a kip, but it is easy to get into the city. Also the staff were good, one manager tried to use here contacts to get us a house and jobs! Overall i would stay there again, just because there's not much choice, but not for too long!

skaterdude

Sorry if this thread has been posted but
my friend is thinking about going on a j1 to chicago and im thinking about going with him but im not in college so it will just be like a holiday for me.

Was just wondering if anyone had any websites for people looking to share accomodation with in chicago, I have looked at a few websites but they are very out of date some go back to 2006.

Also can anyone tell me a bit about chicago, is it a good city to go out in?
Is it cheap to live there? Is the price of drink expensive ? Is there many things to do there? and is it very hot there during the summer?
Thanks

cson

I'm heading to Chi-town with a few mates as well in the summer on the J1. I will say this much to you, be very careful about going without the visa. You won't be able to work there and the American authorithies take a very dim view of what you're intending to do. I think I'm correct in saying they will most likely ban you from ever returning if you are caught.

Otherwise best of luck with it!

skaterdude

Chi town?...chinatown? lol *joke*
what do you mean caught?
can i not stay with my friends on the j1? or do you mean if i intend on working while im over there?

cson

I'm not entirely sure but as far as I know you can't stay there on 'holiday' for the 3 or so month period. You'll need a holiday (?) visa for that length of time I think.

You definitely won't be able to work there without the J1 so bring plenty of cash if you intend doing it.

blow69

OP- Are you planning on staying for the same amount as your friends?

If so, the maximum amount of time you can stay in the US without a visa is 90 days so you're sorted there.

Try craigslist.com for accommodation. It can get a bit tedious as a lot of palces require a minimum 6 month lease but keep digging until you find one that suits your budget and needs.

:DNearly getting sick of typing this almost every week but Chicago is one hell of a town! I did my J1 there last Summer. There is plenty to do there. Any website or book will tell you the same things to do basically. Things it might not mention is to go to 6 Flags theme park which is outside Chicago but well worth it!

It is hot there in the Summer. It gets very hot in July and August but you'll be used to it at that stage. I'd definitely reccommend getting a house/apartment with air conditioning.

Chicago is definitely a cheaper place to live than Ireland but with the current economic downturn i don't know what the current situation is like but it can't have changed that much in 6 months. Nearly every bar/club in the city have special offers every night e.g $2/$3 beers. We actually found a place that did $1 beers on Thursdays but they changed it to $2 sometime in August. That was 50c when you convert to euro. So yeah definitely way cheaper. You do have to tip though.