Albert Lee Stange was born to Albert and Dorothy Stange on Oct. 27, 1936, in Chicago. Young Lee grew up with two brothers and a sister in suburban Broadview, a small industrial community 13 miles west of Chicago with less than 10,000 people.
Let's see‰Û_ When Major League pitcher Lee Stange was born in 1936, Broadview had less than 10,000 people
Albert Lee Stange was born to Albert and Dorothy Stange on Oct. 27, 1936, in Chicago. Young Lee grew up with two brothers and a sister in suburban Broadview, a small industrial community 13 miles west of Chicago with less than 10,000 people.
Let's see‰Û_ When Major League pitcher Lee Stange was born in 1936, Broadview had less than 10,000 people. Today it has less than 8,000 people. It appears that not a whole lot has changed in the Village of Broadway, which is a suburb of Chicago. Don't jump to conclusions though. Almost half of the city's land is set aside for industrial use, limiting residential growth. Since people don't live in warehouses, and the rest of the city is stuffed with houses and apartment buildings, there is little room for growth. Its large industrial park and proximity to Chicago make Broadview a destination spot for people looking for a "balanced community."
Broadview has a bit of an odd shape. It's like a square with two wide "horns" on the top (north side) and a "tail" in the south. Roosevelt Road is a main access road that runs right along the top of the square portion. At the very top of the two horn sections, which jut north, is Interstate 290, better known as Eisenhower Expressway. Getting to the Village of Broadway is a snap, if and only if, you don't mind maneuvering through heavy traffic. Broadway may be tiny, but it's located right outside the major city of Chicago so people are zooming here and zooming there.
Take a Deep Breath and Get Ready to Reveal All
Before jumping into renting anything, there are a few facts to keep in mind. Most of the houses in Broadway were built between 1940 and 1970, so it is an older area. If you rent a house in Broadview, be sure to inspect the property closely. It's easier to ask for disclosure up front if you see a water stain than it is to ask for a plumbing repair after you move in. Reminds you of the old expression, "It's better to act now and ask for permission later." Go online and check the online listings of houses for rent and apartment complexes. There are also plenty of reviews about areas of town. Do you want to live north or south of Roosevelt Road? Can't answer that question yet, can you? Do your research and get the advice of an apartment locator, and you'll have a much nicer experience all around.
Not Your Grandmother's Rental
Shopping for a new place to live can be exciting or frightening. Personally speaking, go for exciting. This could be a life philosophy. This is a chance to find your spot of paradise on earth by looking for a place that has the amenities to make you happy. You may not know what the inside of a workout facility looks like, but for some renters, who think their bodies need perpetual toning, this feature is mandatory. The sound of neighbors knocking on your door might make you cringe, but lots of people want a complex with a public space where neighbors can actually hang out together. You may not like swimming because it requires wearing a bathing suit that reveals every lump on the body, but a washer-dryer hookup may be something you can't live without. This is your parents talking -- make a prioritized list of what creates the perfect rental. The variety of amenities are amazing today with the basketball courts, spas, free wi-fi, onsite childcare, game rooms and a lot more. This is definitely not your grandmother's rental.
Prepare to Move
Once you know it's time to move, the next best thing you can do is take a deep breath, get your act together and prepare to reveal all -- all of your credit history and all of your rental history. Landlords are not going to rent to you until comfortable you won't tear up the apartment or abandon the house in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, plenty of people do, and you don't want to be lumped in with them. Wise renters check their own credit before the rental administrators. The kind of surprise of you don't want is the main office calling you to ask you for a co-signer because you "forgot" to pay a bill and it was reported to those pesky credit bureaus.
Once you find the perfect 2 bedroom apartment for rent, fill out the application and pay the application fee. Don't hesitate, or someone else who thinks it's perfect is going to beat you to it. After approval, get busy finding a mover or booking a moving trailer. It's amazing how many times renters agree to pay rent on a particular day and then discover they have no way to get their furnishings there because all the moving companies are booked on the desired date. The pain of moving is nothing like the pain of sitting on the floor of an empty apartment or paying rent on two places.
Broadview consists of one large industrial section and three neighborhood areas. That's it. But what do you expect for a city of less than 8,000 people. The residential areas are packed with single-family residences and various sizes of apartment complexes, with some space here and there for a park or commercial business. Also, many of the older homes have been converted to multiple-family residences, giving additional rental options. To search for an apartment, think in terms of the following neighborhoods.
North of Roosevelt Road: This area is closest to I-290 and was the original development. There are furnished apartments available, and one complex is right off the interstate. If the sound of whooshing cars and trucks would bother you, then look further south in Broadview. By the way, immediately north of I-290 are numerous apartment complexes which are not in Broadway, but you wouldn't know the difference. If your heart is set on living close to the interstate, check out Bellwood, Forest Park and Oak Park. This is where an apartment locator can be a big help.
South of Roosevelt Road: There are some apartments, townhouses and converted homes on Roosevelt Road. As Broadview developed over the years, a lot of houses were built. Rentals include Cape Cods and Georgians. There are plenty of bungalows too. You have a choice of renting an apartment in a big complex, a home turned into apartments or one of the 3 bedroom houses for rent. As you move south, you also move away from the interstate and closer to the industrial area. Beyond the industrial area is La Grange Park which also has places to rent.
South of the Railroad Tracks: In this area are found two residential sections, both with rental property. One is east of the Broadview Village Square Shopping Center, which sits right next to the industrial area. The subdivision is all houses, except for the multiple-family residences lining Cermak Road. The other section is south of the industrial area and is a mix of houses and small apartment complexes.
Broadview is not rated highly as being walkable, but if you live close to Roosevelt Road walking to some places like Starbucks and the Village Pub to hang out with friends is possible. There is a bus system, so you can leave your car at home to get around. Roosevelt Road is where it's all happening in terms of restaurants, bars and small businesses. Cermak Road is the other happening place with plenty of restaurants like Sawa's Old Warsaw Restaurant and La Penca. The Broadview Village Square Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Seventeenth Avenue and Cermak, and is a typical outdoor mall with a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Home Depot is the anchor store, if that gives you a good idea of its makeup.
Honestly? Many of the people living in Broadview are living there because they work in the industrial park or in Chicago, which is a short drive to the east on the interstate. In the immediate area, residents can spend time in one of the local parks spread around the city. The best way to describe Broadview is that it's a down-to-earth, practical city. If you want serious entertainment or exotic restaurants, you'll want to drive to downtown Chicago.
