Best Neighborhoods to Rent in Near Chicago's Top Employers: A Guide for Renters

Whenever life takes me into the city, I’m always impressed with the sheer amount of industry and commerce that it holds. With all of that commerce comes a wide range of employment options. In Chicago, IL you can find work in just about any industry if you live in the area of this thriving city. From finance to construction to transportation the perfect job may be waiting for you. There are also multiple universities that provide even more opportunities for employment in Chicago as well.

I’m also impressed by the city’s transportation system. You can quickly get from point A to point B by just utilizing the “L” or the bus system. And for residents, that’s great news. The traffic in Chicago can be a bear.

One of the best ways to avoid problems with traffic and money spent on public transit is to live close to your employer. Here are some of the city’s largest employers and the neighborhoods that are close by.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Chicago, IL

O’Hare Airport

As the hub of United Airlines and one of the largest airports in the nation, O’Hare provides employment to over 50,000 people directly, with thousands more indirectly. Here you can find every type of employment, from executive positions to janitorial and service positions. One of the perks of working at O’Hare is the many public transit options that are near the airport, but you may want to live close to where you work if you’re making that commute every day. As long as the noise of the airplanes overhead doesn’t deter you, here are some of the best neighborhoods near O’Hare Airport.

Jefferson Park

I love the vibe in Jefferson Park. It sits just off of 90, a few miles east of O’Hare, but it’s a quiet, friendly neighborhood. The Copernicus Center is a hidden gem here, and as a theater buff I love the local event venue and the theater shows it hosts throughout the year. One of the other perks of choosing Jefferson Park if you work at O’Hare is the fact that it’s one of the city’s transportation hubs. You can quickly get to the airport or downtown Chicago by jumping on one of the public transit options here.

O’Hare

The airport is so integral to Chicago’s history, it has a neighborhood named after it. With primarily apartments for rent, O’Hare is about as close to the airport as you can get, and it houses the airport within its borders. I love that it’s close to the Fashion Outlets of Chicago when I want to do a little shopping, and the Rosemont Theatre is not far away either.

Wicker Park

If you want affordability and close proximity to O’Hare, then Wicker Park is where you need to look. This particular neighborhood has been full of residential properties since the city’s founding, and the historic homes and apartments have quite a bit of curb appeal. This neighborhood also has a vibrant nightlife and interesting boutiques when you want to do a little shopping, so it’s an interesting place to call home. Many of the homes sit on top of these boutiques and cafes, making it an interesting mixed-use area.

JPMorgan Chase

The JPMorgan Chase high-rise stands out when you look at the Chicago skyline. Not only is this an impressive architectural addition to the city, but it’s also one of the larger local employers, with close to 15,000 people employed right in the city. This finance giant offers everything from investments to checking accounts, and it is a bank with a national reach. Even if you’re employed at one of the branches throughout the city, living close to the main office tower can be beneficial, and these neighborhoods would fit the bill nicely.

Chicago Loop

The JPMorgan Chase tower is part of The Loop, so if you want to live within walking distance of work, this is where to look. Several of the high rises here have apartment homes in them, so you can rent a property in the heart of downtown. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit when I head downtown, since it’s home to most of the area’s attractions, like Grant Park with its Buckingham Fountain, The Art Institute, and Willis Tower.

River North

I love how vibrant River North is. It’s hard to believe that this eclectic neighborhood was once an industrial area, but the art deco architecture does give this history away a bit. This is the neighborhood to choose if you want an engaging nightlife after you get off work. It’s packed with clubs, bars, and entertainment venues. During the day, the shops that line the streets are popular, and there are also several office buildings offering additional employment options, including the iconic and historic Merchandise Mart.

Near North Side

If you want to live among some of the city’s most impressive skyscrapers, then Near North Side is the right neighborhood to consider. With over 100,000 residents, this is one of the most populated neighborhoods in the city. It’s also one of the most recognizable, because the iconic Chicago skyline is mostly the Near North Side. This upscale neighborhood is home to the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier. It’s my favorite place to do a little window shopping before grabbing some Garrett’s Popcorn and heading home.

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is not only a top educational institution in the city – it’s also a top employer. The private research university employs over 25,000 people. Many of these are faculty and non-academic personnel, which means the school offers a wide range of employment options. Since this is considered one of the top research schools in the nation and has a student body of nearly 20,000 students, it’s not surprising that it takes a large number of people to keep it running.

Hyde Park

The University of Chicago’s main campus is right in Hyde Park, so if you have aspirations of working here, this neighborhood is well worth considering. The sheer beauty of this neighborhood astounds me every time I visit. The Museum of Science and Industry, the shores of Lake Michigan, and the views from Promontory Point never fail to inspire me when I visit. As a resident, these cultural marvels will be at your doorstep. In Hyde Park you’ll find apartments and townhomes for rent in historic row houses, and all are within walking distance of campus.

Kenwood

For something a little more traditional than Hyde Park, I recommend Kenwood. The rental homes and apartments here have a slightly lower price tag, and this is one of the few downtown neighborhoods that has detached houses as well. With a home or apartment here, you’ll be right on the Lakefront Trail and close to the Burnham Nature Sanctuary, so enjoying some nature within the city is never hard.

Woodlawn

The history of Woodlawn is what draws me to it, and its beautiful parks and locally-owned businesses make it an interesting neighborhood to spend an afternoon exploring. You’ll also find the apartments and townhomes here to be more affordable than other neighborhoods near the University of Chicago. If you’re going to work in the Law School, the School of Public Policy, or the School of Social Service Administration, then your campus will be within the borders of this neighborhood.

Rush University Medical Center

With over 10,000 employees, the Rush University Medical Center is a top local employer for those who want to work in the healthcare field. Like all major hospitals, it employs doctors and nurses as well as a wide range of support and administrative staff. It’s also the academic medical center for Rush University, which means it brings in some of the leading up-and-coming doctors as they get their training. Rush has several branches throughout the state, with its main location on Harrison Street in downtown Chicago. If you’re looking to live near here, consider one of these neighborhoods:

Little Italy

I’m a sucker for Italian food, and as its name implies, Little Italy has plenty of it. This neighborhood is packed with adorable, historic row houses that stand alongside Italian restaurants and bakeries. This neighborhood is full of rental properties, including both homes and apartments. When you’re not working at Rush, you’ll appreciate all of the cultural attractions here, and the best part is, it’s adjacent to the hospital when it’s time to head in.

West Town

Sitting to the north of Rush University Medical Center, West Town is the place to go to shop at vintage shops and eclectic art museums, then finish the evening with an upscale dining experience. This neighborhood is considered artsy and trendy. It’s also an area steeped in Polish history and culture. You can get a taste for this culture at one of the many Polish restaurants in this neighborhood, such as Pierogi Kitchen or Staropolska Restaurant. West Town apartments near Rush University Medical Center are popular with student doctors who need affordability and access.

East Garfield Park

With brick cottages lining the streets, East Garfield Park has quite a bit of residential property. The neighborhood is named for Garfield Park, which is on its northwest corner, and is home to one of the country’s largest conservatories. I love to spend an afternoon strolling through its horticultural collections. When the urge to see the gardens hits, I can just jump on the Blue or Green Line to get to the neighborhood. This neighborhood has many affordable apartments for rent, and it also boasts some larger properties than some of the other Chicago neighborhoods. You can find multi-bedroom Chicago apartments near Rush University Medical Center easily in East Garfield Park.

Chicago Transit Authority

As the second-largest public transit system in the nation, it’s no wonder that the Chicago Transit Authority is also one of the area’s top employers. It has over 10,000 positions, with round-the-clock openings to ensure the city’s transit system never has to sleep. Honestly, I can't imagine living in or visiting Chicago without using the CTA. If you’re looking for work with a company that’s reliable and established, then CTA is what you want. One challenge of finding Chicago apartments near the CTA is that workers can be employed anywhere in the state. However, focusing on the headquarters, here are the neighborhoods that are closest.

South Loop

For affordability and convenient access to CTA headquarters, choose the South Loop. This neighborhood, like most of those on the loop, has high-rise apartments for rent. You can find everything from studio to four-bedroom apartments in the South Loop, Chicago, near CTA headquarters. While the apartments may be affordable, people who live here also appreciate the beauty of the mansions along the Prairie Avenue Historic District, most of which were built in the 19th century.

Lincoln Park

When my kids were small, Lincoln Park was our most likely spot to end when we went downtown. After all, the free zoo was both budget-friendly and entertaining. For those looking for Chicago apartments near the CTA headquarters, Lincoln Park offers affordable options, too. In fact, this is one of the few areas in Chicago where you can find apartments with suburban price tags, while still remaining in the downtown region. And if you ever get bored, you can always head to the park.

Fulton Market

Fulton Market puts everything you want at your fingertips. Not only does it offer Chicago apartments near CTA headquarters, but it also has shopping, dining, and entertainment close at hand. This region was once a meat-packing and warehouse district, and today it’s an eclectic mix of retail and residential locations. The Emporium Arcade Bar is a great spot for some nightlife near Fulton Market. It’s like a traditional kid’s arcade meets a local bar with craft beer.

No matter where you look in Chicago, you’ll find excellent opportunities for employment. To make the most out of your job prospects, consider finding Chicago apartments near that employer to cut down on your commute and give you access to public transit. Whether you’re working in a high-rise downtown or heading to O’Hare to help people with their travel plans, one of these neighborhoods will fit the bill well.