Your Chicago apartment checklist

Looking for a new place to live in Chicago? If you’re in the market for a new apartment, we have a few checklist items you should look out for during your quest for the perfect new Chicago home.

-Proximity to work. Chicago has great public transit systems, and if you live close enough to your office, commuting without a car shouldn’t be much of a hassle at all. Check the routes and stops closest to your prospective new place and compute the time it would take you to get to work.

-Hardwood floors. Classy and elegant, hardwood flooring in your new Chicago apartment is a great way to convey to your guests that you’ve got great style and taste.

-Off-street parking. You may be doing most of your getting around by transit and on foot, but it’s nice to know your vehicle is stored away in a safe, secure place and ready for weekend trips or easily accessible whenever you need it.

-24-hour maintenance. If there’s a plumbing or electric problem in your unit, you’ll want help right away. Look for apartments that provide 24-hour maintenance so you’ll never be left in the lurch.

-Community garden. This could be on site at your apartment complex or located nearby in your neighborhood. The garden won’t be an amenity you can enjoy during the winter months, but in summer it will be a great place to meet your new neighbors and earn some fresh produce for delicious culinary experiments.

-Walkable neighborhood. What restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, takeout, gyms, bars and other urban gathering places are within the near proximity of your new place? Knowing you’ll be close to some familiar hangouts can seal the deal on your apartment choice.

Visit our listings of Chicago apartments to find the perfect new place for you.