I don't know where to start looking so I might as well start it here.

 

I start an internship downtown in May and I'm looking for somewhere to stay for the duration of the internship. I'm not really set on a certain location since I'll have my car and I can take the train(burbs are fine around Downers, Lemont, and Woodridge), but I'm looking for an apartment in the area for 4 months (May-August). Does anyone know of any place (websites, phone numbers, etc.) that gives out short term leases like the one I need?

 

Thanks everyone.

i'd check craig's list for people who are subletting their places for the summer.

 

 

yup. craigs is your best bet. Dont use an apt finding service.

yup. craigs is your best bet. Dont use an apt finding service.

 

 

Why not? I always wondered if those services are useful. I thought they were free.

Why not? I always wondered if those services are useful. I thought they were free.

Alot of rental unit owners turn to these services when they have a place that hasnt been rented out in quite some time, aka pieces of s***. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but for the most part they are hard to rent units.

Interesting. I thought owners turned to Craig's list so no one would be looking over their shoulder.

Interesting. I thought owners turned to Craig's list so no one would be looking over their shoulder.

Well, its cheap and easy to search which helps, especially in chicago where there are so many properties and people looking for them.

It's probably an area by area thing. The apartment services here have all the better (re: expensive) properties and craigs list has the cheap, broken screens, and trashed out areas. I always figured the guys on craigslist were too cheap and always looking for the cheapest way.

 

But I can see in major cities how that would be different.

It's probably an area by area thing. The apartment services here have all the better (re: expensive) properties and craigs list has the cheap, broken screens, and trashed out areas. I always figured the guys on craigslist were too cheap and always looking for the cheapest way.

 

But I can see in major cities how that would be different.

There still are some good services here, but alot of the companies work up north in the "new grad" area and make a pretty good living renting out apts that most resident chicagoins wouldnt touch, but some kid who just moved here would jump at the chance to live directly next to the EL.

Isn't it gonna be tough to find a place for 4 months, even a sublet?

There still are some good services here, but alot of the companies work up north in the "new grad" area and make a pretty good living renting out apts that most resident chicagoins wouldnt touch, but some kid who just moved here would jump at the chance to live directly next to the EL.

 

So why don't those owners also have ads on Craigs List?

Not sure what your size or price requirements are, but I lived briefly at 1257 W Lunt Ave in Rogers Park. As of 4 years ago they offered 4 month leases on studios (they seem to cater mostly to Loyola students and those fresh out of school). At the time, the price was about $500 for a small studio w/electricity and heat paid for.

 

Not the nicest place in the world, but I never had any problems. It's about a block from the red line stop. The same couple also managed a place across the street. I don't have their contact info, but I'm sure you could find it with some legwork.

Edited January 27, 200917 yr by JorgeFabregas

So why don't those owners also have ads on Craigs List?

They probably did at one point without pics (which is basically guaranteeing nobody will call you) but the place went unrented for so long that they needed to be more proactive. Who knows? The rental market in chicago is very strange. Its alot of word of mouth, dumb luck, and timing. Its not nearly as bad as the market when I was in college where leases were all passed from group to group and really kept certain groups of people out of the really good properties on campus.

I found my best apartments in Chicago by walking neighborhoods. Apartments get rented so fast, some of the better ones don't even bother to post listings. Does the Chicago Reader still do listings? I think I remember looking in there as well. They might also have ads for people looking to sublet.

Isn't it gonna be tough to find a place for 4 months, even a sublet?

 

Yeah, thats the major problem I'm coming across.

 

Thanks everyone though for the suggestions. I made a thing on Craigslist and had some people contact me (although nothing that looks like its going to work yet), but its a start.

Yeah, thats the major problem I'm coming across.

 

Thanks everyone though for the suggestions. I made a thing on Craigslist and had some people contact me (although nothing that looks like its going to work yet), but its a start.

I think places like Presidential towers does short term leases as well.

Long term $ short term $$$$

 

Sucks for the landlord/owner

 

Are there any residence hotels that work?

You might just have to be 'guy on the couch' somewhere for those few months.

You might just have to be 'guy on the couch' somewhere for those few months.

 

That's the best solution if he can find it.

 

Step one, post a message on a board . . . hmmmm

I don't know where to start looking so I might as well start it here.

 

I start an internship downtown in May and I'm looking for somewhere to stay for the duration of the internship. I'm not really set on a certain location since I'll have my car and I can take the train(burbs are fine around Downers, Lemont, and Woodridge), but I'm looking for an apartment in the area for 4 months (May-August). Does anyone know of any place (websites, phone numbers, etc.) that gives out short term leases like the one I need?

 

Thanks everyone.

My friend needs to sublet his place.

 

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/sub/1017491497.html