Living in Chicago

University Center of Chicago

UCC Located in the Loop just south of the College of Law, the University Center of Chicago (UCC) is a new residence hall offering furnished apartments and suits. Opened in the fall of 2004, and created in conjunction with neighboring Columbia College and Roosevelt University, the UCC provides an excellent living experience in the heart of downtown Chicago. Amenities include a rooftop garden, multimedia rooms, an exercise center, food court, laundry facilities, shops on the lower level, 24-hour security, and keycard access to the building and elevators. More information is available at www.depaul.edu/ucc.

At DePaul, we understand and respect the significance of our role as educators, and we believe that instilling the values of learning, community and service in our students is the best way to persevere the dignity of the profession, the integrity of the law and the sanctity of justice. These values are the foundation of DePaul's Vincentian mission and have garnered the University the title of having the happiest students in the nation. We welcome you to join us.

Lincoln Park

Boundaries

Lincoln Park - North Avenue (1600N) To Diversey (2800N) and Lake Michigan to Halsted (800W)
DePaul - North Avenue (1600N) to Diversey (2800N) and Halsted (800W) to Southport Avenue (1400W)

Housing

Variety of housing types: high-rises, mid-rises, and brownstones. The high-rises are located closer to the lake. Be careful: some high-rises may be condos and rented for much more money. Rents tend to get more expensive as you get closer to the lake.

Parking

Most apartments require that you pay for parking at approximately $100-$150 per month, but you can always hunt for "free" street parking. However, most residential streets require parking permits (available for an annual fee), and you have to live in a building on the street to be eligible for the permit.

Attractions

DePaul Undergraduate Campus (access to the library, computer lab and recreational facilities), Lincoln Park Zoo, beaches, bike path, health clubs, grocery stores, boutiques and shops, and a variety of bars, restaurants, cafes and coffee houses.

Atmosphere

Inhabited primarily by young professionals and students. This area tends to be more congested and noisy. Considered a safe neighborhood by Chicago standards, but Chicago is a big city and common sense when it comes to safety is always encouraged.

Transportation

Close to both the elevated trains ("el") and bus lines. Travel on bus lines tends to take a bit longer especially during the winter and during rush hour.

Gold Cost/Streeterville

Boundaries

Begins at the north end of Michigan Avenue (900N) to North Avenue (1600N) and from Lake Michigan to Wells Street (200W).

Housing

More expensive than other areas. Tend to be more high-rises and condominiums. Keep in mind that the high rents usually offer extra amenities such as sun decks, work out rooms, door persons, and pools.

Parking

Street parking can be difficult to find, and monthly parking will cost $175 and up.

Attractions

Magnificent Mile, variety of grocery stores, health clubs, shops, restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, as well as a large number of bars located near Rush and Divisions streets. Close to beaches and bike paths.

Atmosphere

More professionals, retirees, and graduate students. Safe neighborhood with plenty of tourists and activity, but Chicago is a big city and common sense when it comes to safety is always encouraged.

Transportation

You have a choice of either the bus or the "el," but the "el" is quicker. You can also walk since it's approximately three miles to DePaul's Loop Campus

Wrigleyville

Boundaries

Diversey (2800N) to Irving Park Road (4000N) and from Halsted (800W) to Southport (1400W).

Housing

Located in more of "neighborhood type" area (i.e., grass and trees); usually renovated wood-frame houses, courtyard buildings and brownstones. Rents tend to be comparable to Lincoln Park and Lakeview.

Parking

Street parking is easier except on Cubs game days.

Attractions

Wrigley Field (home of the Cubs), grocery stores, variety of bars, restaurants and cafes.

Atmosphere

Inhabited by students, professionals, and families

Transportation

Bus and "el" lines are both available but the "el" is much quicker.

More Neighborhoods

Hyde Park

South of the Loop/downtown; home to the University of Chicago and Museum of Science and Industry; diverse community; less expensive than Lincoln Park.

Printer's Row

Just south of the Loop/downtown; quieter; inhabited by professionals and artists; getting more expensive (comparable to Lincoln Park); within walking distance from DePaul's Loop Campus and the Loop/downtown.

Bucktown - Wicker Park

West of the Kennedy Expressway; rents are much cheaper; variety of bars; transportation a bit more difficult; trendy, up and coming area; not as many students chose to live in this area. May not be as safe as the Goldcoast/Lincoln Park/Lakeview areas.

Rogers Park

Near Loyola University's Lakeshore/Edgewater campus; affordable; large student population; close to Lake Michigan.

Transportation

Car

The expressways in and around Chicago are usually referred to by name rather than number. The main expressways leading into Chicago include the Kennedy (I-90), the Eisenhower (I-290), the Dan Ryan (I-90/94), and the Stevenson (I-55). Downtown Chicago may also be reached by Lake Shore Drive (Route 41). The Kennedy is the main expressway to O'Hare airport, Chicago's largest airport, and the Stevenson is the main expressway to Midway Airport, Chicago's second largest airport. For more expressway information, contact the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) at (800) 452-4368, or view their expressway congestion map at www.ai.uic.edu/GCM/CongestionMap.html.

Air

Chicago's two major airports are O'Hare and Midway (www.ohare.com). O'Hare is the larger of the two, servicing a wide variety of airlines. However, plane tickets may be slightly more expensive, and the airport can get crowded. O'Hare is located northwest of downtown Chicago, but still within city limits. Midway services fewer airlines and is usually not as crowded as O'Hare. Tickets are sometimes less expensive than at O'Hare. Midway is located southwest of downtown Chicago but still within city limits. CTA train lines can take you to and from the airports and to downtown Chicago

Bus and or Train

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the train and bus system in Chicago (www.yourcta.com). There are seven train lines that are referred to by color. Together they make up what is called the "el." Some of the train lines are elevated and surround the downtown area - the "Loop," while others are underground and form a subway system. The Blue, Red, and Green lines run 24 hours a day. The Purple line only runs during the morning and evening rush hours. The Brown line runs from the early morning until approximately midnight Monday through Friday and on a limited basis on weekends. The Blue Line runs from downtown State Street to O'Hare Airport. The Orange line runs from downtown to Midway airport 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It only runs from 7:30 a.m. to 11:20 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. The bus system is numbered from 1 to 204. Most buses run frequently during rush hours. Others run approximately every 30 minutes at night or not at all. The fare for both trains and buses is $1.75 per person. A transfer may be purchased for an additional $0.25, and it is good for another two rides for two hours after purchase. Make sure you have exact change because CTA personnel will not have any. Full-time law students taking 12 or more credit hours will be automatically charged a nominal fee in their tuition bill for the CTA U-PASS, a transit pass that can be used for unlimited rides. U-PASS is valid on CTA-operated bus and rail lines 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The pass is NOT valid during winter break or during the summer, but it is valid over Spring Break. Although some CTA trains reach a few of the nearby suburbs, Metra is the primary train line that extends from downtown throughout the suburbs. The fare will vary, depending on which suburb you travel to. While the fares are more expensive, the Metra is a quick, clean and dependable way to travel. The suburbs also have their own bus line called Pace.

Taxi

Finding a cab is not a problem in Chicago (www.yellowcabchicago.com). The fare is determined by both distance and time. Each time you enter a cab, there is a flat fee of $1.90 charged. The fare is increased $1.60 for each additional mile. Additional passengers cost $0.50. Tips are given at the discretion of the rider. A cab ride from O'Hare to downtown can cost anywhere from $30-$35, and a cab ride from Midway to downtown should cost approximately $20-$25. If you take a cab, make sure you get into a Chicago cab and not a suburban cab. Suburban cabs cost more because downtown Chicago is outside of their service range. If you stay in the suburbs, make sure you take a suburban cab because Chicago cabs will cost twice as much if you get dropped off in the suburbs.

Walking

If street numbers have you confused, remember that Chicago streets are on a grid system. All the numbers originate in the Loop, or downtown Chicago. Numbers will increase from State and Madison Streets - the "0" mark - in all directions. The College of Law is located on State and Jackson Streets, just three blocks south of State and Madison.