Greetings, gents and lassies, and welcome to your Hammond, Indiana apartment hunting headquarters! Conveniently located on the southern shores of Lake Michigan just 20 miles from the Chicago Loop, Hammond is a popular residential destination for leasers in the market for Chicagoland dwellings without having to pay typical Chicagoland prices. Hammond features a variety of rentals ranging from basic studios to spacious luxury lofts. So what are you waiting for? Come along with us, because the apartment of your dreams is a few simple clicks away…
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A Feast of Plenty
Apartments are readily available in Hammond (more than 6% are currently vacant), so take your time and investigate all your options carefully before deciding which is best for you. Waiting lists are simply unheard of in Hammond and landlords frequently offer dynamite move-in specials, making Hammond one of the most attractive cities in Northwest Indiana for apartment dwellers.
No School like the Old School
If you appreciate a plethora of turn of the century (20th century, that is) residences in a variety of eclectic architectural styles both simple and ornate, you’re in luck. Hammond is a city filled with historic districts, many of which (Harding Park, Davis Avenue, Glendale Park) boast an abundance of bungalow-style apartments just waiting for peeps like you to claim them.
The Chi-Town Connection
Many of Hammond’s 80,000 residents have jobs in the Windy City, which takes only about half an hour to get to (depending on traffic, which is generally mild around Hammond). Fortunately, the South Shore Electric Line commuter rail connects the two cities and allows commuters to avoid the inevitable gridlock on the streets of Chicago. Our advice: Use the train for your commute to Chicago, but bring along your own vehicle to travel around Hammond. Also, we should warn you that the taxicab concept never really caught on in Hammond, making your own set of wheels that much more of a necessity.
Get Out!
And see your town! Hammond’s attractions include tons of historic buildings, a world-class marina, and numerous museums, galleries, parks, trails, wildlife preserves, and Lake Michigan beaches. The city is also home of a new casino on the Hammond/East Chicago border that’s both boosted the local economy and injected some much needed nightlife into the city. Of course, living in Hammond means you can also easily partake in all the cultural and entertainment options that Chicago has to offer.
Be Prepared
Even though apartments are readily available in Hammond, it doesn’t mean just anybody can waltz into a leasing agreement. Standards for renters are far from strict, but you’ll still need proof of income and a respectable renting/credit history to score a lease. Some landlords require tenants fork over an initial security deposit (which is usually returnable) and others charge prospective renters fees to conduct background checks on them. Pet-friendly apartments are a dime a dozen in Hammond, but most landlords charge a monthly fee if you’re roomie is of the four-legged variety. In extreme cases, landlords even require that tenants provide veterinary info showing that their cats or dogs are up to par on their vaccinations.
It’s all about the Leg Room
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of renting in Hammond is that apartments typically offer much more living space than their Chicago counterparts. A handful of luxury properties include killer amenities like washers and dryers in each unit, concierge service, and secured parking.
Never Trust Any Landlord. Ever. We Mean It.
Okay, we don’t mean it. Just joking.
In all seriousness, though, don’t assume that your new pad is in tip-top shape and ready for you to move into. Take your move-in checklist seriously and mark down even the most minor blemish (i.e., a barely noticeable stain, a miniscule tear in the carpet, a gaping 8-foot hole where your ceiling should be. etc). Also, turn on your furnace and air conditioner (one at a time would be ideal) to make sure they function; check your pipes, sinks, and faucets for leaks; and make sure your appliances, lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, etc. function properly. Next, have an objective third party give your new dream pad a solid look to see if there’s something wrong with it that your super-stoked eyes may have missed. Finally, if at all possible, ask an apartment representative if you can see the actual apartment you’ll be renting, not just a prototype/showroom. You never know what kind of skeletons may be hidden in the actual closet.
And now it’s time for the fun part: finding the perfect apartment for you in Hammond, Indiana! Welcome aboard and happy hunting!
