Even though the city of Northlake is darn close to the coast of Lake Michigan near Chicago, that's not how the city got its name. Nope, the true story is even less original: The city got its name from the intersection of North Street and Lake Street.
Today, Northlake's main selling point draws on that old real estate adage: It's known for its location (location, location)
Even though the city of Northlake is darn close to the coast of Lake Michigan near Chicago, that's not how the city got its name. Nope, the true story is even less original: The city got its name from the intersection of North Street and Lake Street.
Today, Northlake's main selling point draws on that old real estate adage: It's known for its location (location, location). Northlake is just south of the Chicago O'Hare International Airport and provides super easy access to major metro Chicago highways like I-290 and I-294.
When you live in the metro Chicago area --Chicagoland, to the locals--finding that perfect combination of affordable housing and a convenient location can seem about as rare as finding a rainbow unicorn. But Northlake actually does offer that combination! Some of the housing here is a little bit older, which is one reason that it's more affordable than the Chicago average to find an apartment for rent in Northlake.
You don't need to worry that choosing to take cheaper rent in Northlake will come with the trade-off of high crime rates, as you might in some other places. The crime rate here is relatively low, especially compared to other parts of Chicago. If you're willing to get one or two bedroom apartments for rent in a more established neighborhood that might not be in the newest and shiniest zip code, you can get a great deal on places for rent.
Affordable rentals in Northlake are on your side in another way besides just price. You might be able to find a landlord who is willing to work with you if you have special circumstances. If you need an apartment with all bills paid, you may be able to find it here, and that can save you a lot of money on those high winter heating costs. If you need apartments that welcome Fido or Fluffy, you should also be able to find one.
However, though the apartments here are a little cheaper, you should be forewarned that the rental market in Northlake is still relatively competitive. You should start looking for housing as early as possible, especially if you have any of the above special circumstances and need some help. When you find your perfect rental and decide to apply for it, come prepared with all the things you will need to improve your odds of getting that landlord to say yes! Make sure you have a good job history, enough money to pay the first month's rent, and some previous rental references to vouch for you. Don't forget about those crucial security deposits, either. Many landlords will ask for first and last month's rent in addition to a general security deposit of at least a few hundred dollars, and you should expect to still more deposits if you're bringing your pets.
Northlake has a few main neighborhoods -- here's a breakdown of the three major ones.
Wolf Ridge: This neighborhood is located in downtown Northlake, just north of North Avenue on Wolf Road. This is a great place to find a condo.
Northlake Village: This neighborhood includes streets like Lyndale Ave., Roberta Ave., and E. Medill Ave. Rental houses are easier to find in this neighborhood than apartments or condos.
Stone Park: This large neighborhood is conveniently located to Lake St. and Mannheim Rd., which gives you easy access to Interstate 294 to make that daily commute a little easier.
Traffic in Chicago is among the worst in the nation. Even though Northlake is conveniently located within the greater Chicagoland area, you'll end up spending more time in traffic than you'd like if you drive. Fortunately, the cities in Chicagoland make an effort to help people keep moving -- there is a great public transportation system here.
The Centerpoint Preserve is a 32-acre spot in Northlake that makes it easy to appreciate nature in the midst of the city. The preserve even has a series of workout stations setup including pull-up bars, squat bars, and sit-up benches. In addition, there are dog parks and art on display throughout the whole area. Even better, the preserve is monitored by multiple security cameras for extra peace of mind about using it after dark.
Whether you want to have a fun night out or just don't feel like cooking, Northlake has all kinds of delicious and unique restaurants you will definitely want to try! Even though the usual chain restaurants are all over the place here, you don't have to settle for something so predictable. The Winking Dog Company Restaurant puts its own spin on classic American fare, like hand-cut fries and Philly cheesesteaks. Alejandra's Mexican Cuisine will fulfill all your cravings for tacos and tamales.
Northlake is also conveniently located to everything else the city of Chicago has to offer, from the fabulous shopping on the Miracle Mile to the beaches along Lake Shore Drive. When you want to live in the Chicago area without spending a fortune on housing, take a closer look at Northlake!
