Downtown

Downtown offers a pretty wide variety of options ($1200 - $1600 for a studio). I'll focus on a few options - Columbus Plaza (CP) is decently priced at $1300 for a convertible, but it doesn't include utilities. Pros: Great view on the lake or river. Sheltered pedway to Metra. Restaurants in the basement makes it convenient. Just across the river to Gleacher (4min). Cons: It's not on the top end where amenities are concerned. Gym's kinda small, has only 4 running machines. No swimming pool. 8min walk to Metra. Tides/Shoreham - more expensive ($1600 for studio) but nice. Price comes with utilities. Pros: Nicely done-up (think marbletop kitchen setting), in house washer+dryer, really good amenities (bbq pits at the outdoor pool, jacuzzi, big gym, nice lounge with pool tables). Cons: It's a longer unsheltered walk to Metra (in the winter!!), probably 12-15min. That's really just it. Millenium Park Plaza (MPP) is right above the Metra station. It's a little more pricey, especially cause of a shared electricity bill with your neighbours. (have you heard of this concept called moral hazard?) Bill can go up to $300 for a 2BR in winter. Pros: Superb location. Indoor pool. Good gym. Possible for 9 or 10 month leases. Cons: Not cheap. Interior isn't so well done as Shoreham. Whatever you do, don't lease the '08' units in MPP. At last check, they all stink. Aqua is the most expensive of the lakeshore east apartments, it's also the newest and has a hotel now occupying a few floors. It is >$1600 for a studio but it is nearer to the Metra (7min). Parking for any of these buildings go for >240 a month. Other options to consider: MDA Apartments, Cityfront Place and Park Millennium (it's a condo, so you rent from an owner).

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is the neighborhood that Harper Center and University of Chicago are in. If you do decide to stay here, beware of the numerous muggings that occur here. And do not stray out of the Hyde Park vicinity (you should realize very quickly if you do).

Graduate housing is available here from the university at a decent price - $800 - $1300 per month. And higher end accomodations are found at Regents Park (where Obama used to work out) and Algonquin Apartments.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is basically where many many of the TNDCs are located. It should be called Pubtown. If you're a party animal and want to stagger home daily at 3am, this is the place. There are alot of lodging options (no specific building housing many Boothies) covering a wide range of budgets, but you can get a place for a budget in between downtown and Hyde Park. Food options are numerous with all the restaurants, supermarkets, and oh, there's a driving range up at Diversey too. Only setback is, it's kinda far. You need a car. You'll have to drive ~20-40 min to school depending on traffic, spend another 10min looking for parking, land a spot about 2-4 streets from the school and spend another 5 to 10min walking to the school. Unless you leave home at 630am that is.

Others

Other notables are River North/Streeterville which is near to shops and amenities as well as other apartments in the loop that Cappies have lived in. Most of them do drive though and these places sometimes come with parking. They are not rental buildings and you'll have to rent them from housing agents (As compared to other options above in the downtown section). South Loop is becoming popular with Boothies and couples lately due to its proximity to burgeoning night life and activities there. Do note it's nowhere near Gleacher's and there is a short walk to the Metra. A lot of those who stay in South Loop do drive.