September 5th, 2008Can you move to Chicago with no money?
Well, not no money, per se, but very little. I have about $100 right now, and I make $200 every two weeks. (Next payday is this Friday.) I’d like to move to Chicago VERY soon, maybe early May. One way plane tickets are running $65, so I’d have a LITTLE money left for anything else. I might be able to find a couch to crash on for a week or two, and I’m hoping to land a temp job.
Okay, dumbshits, I will obviously have about $500 or so when I go if I leave after two paychecks. $200 every two weeks is what I get paid NOW, will I be working the exact same job in Chicago? That would be quite a commute for a part-time job at a fast food restaurant. I’d obviously be making more (working full time; getting paid almost twice as much) when in Chicago. Lining up a temp job ahead of time was the plan, and my friend has assured me I can stay at her place for a while. Some people seriously have no comprehension skills.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Why don’t you learn a technical trade before you move so it won’t be soo hard to find a job like learn how to cut hair, bartender, nail technician, massage therapist, You know something to kind of keep you a float wile you are in Chicago also try to do interviews over the Internet before you move good luck I wish I had your opportunity.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am
it would be impossible to live almost anywhere on your own if you are only making $100 per week, especially Chicago-it is a major city so of course rent will be high. I would land a full time job that pays above minimum wage before moving along with having money saved up. Any apartment will require a security deposit and many times first and/or last months rent. This alone could be $1000 up front. Your best bet is to find a couple of room mates to help you out.
September 14th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I don’t think this is impossible, but it mightbe very difficult. If you movee without any fallback and or support system, it’s going to be hard to get on your feet quickly. I would look into motels in the area that offer discounted extended stays. explain your situation. See if you have friends in the area. I would apply for a part time job from where you are living now and explian on your application that you will soon be located in chicago. they might be able to offer you some support. try applying at a hotel. I had a friend who lived where she worked for only 15.00 a night at a days inn or something like that. I would save up, even if it’s only 5.00 everyday. You have to be able to eat. If you don’t think it’s worth the risk, wait 5 months and save up.
i do truly believe it can be done. it will just take a lot of determination and hard work. good luck.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
why would one move with no money? why dont you save up where you are then think about it. Why would you move somewhere without having a job? Illinois doesnt need anymore people moving here to go on welfare……we have enough of those already. Think…….then act accordingly, its expensive to move……
September 20th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
renting an apartment is at the minimum $450 and up anywhere in the chicago land area. don’t even bring to mind trying to live in hotels day by day because you wont break even. Also i think you cannot afford even living in motels day by day. perhaps the run-down ones.
i know it’s hard for you to grasp and consider the many advice we have given you. so here it goes in the most simplest terms. if you come here to chicago, this city would most definitely eat your sorry ass up. this city will crush you. it would take over your sad, puny being. you’ll wind up flat on your ass, boo. take that mouthful and try to chew, then swallow, boo.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
You need to have a job here before you move perminently. You will not make it more then a couple of days on only $ 200 or even $ 1000. You must have income. Use the above to apply with temp agencies in the Chicago area. Tell them you’re planning to move here and want to secure employment. Good Luck!
September 27th, 2008 at 12:11 am
I would definitely line up some type of employment first or you will be panhandling on the street! Rent is not cheap if you want to live somewhere decent.
September 30th, 2008 at 1:08 am
NO money… HOPE to land a temp job. And you only have $100 and a plane ticket is $65 leaving you with $35. Well, all I have to say is…
ARE YOU CRAZY?!?!
Do NOT move to Chicago with no job lined up, no place to really stay and only $100 in your pocket (less the $65 for the plane ticket. And when you say you might be able to FIND a couch to crash on, what does that mean? How will you FIND a couch? That sounds dangerous. And what if the person you find decides they don’t want you staying there anymore and kicks you out? Where are you going to go with $35? Ok, say you do make $200 every two weeks… Do you honestly think you can live by yourself in Chicago on $100 a week? There aren’t even any apartments for less than $400 a month in Chicago, even in the worst neighborhoods. And what if that job search doesn’t work out for three or four weeks, two months, three months… what will you do then?
YOu sound pretty young (judging from the way you think $100 might be enough). I don’t mean to be mean, but stay where you are, stay in school, get a REAL job, save up some money (about $5000), check the websites like monster.com or careerbuilder.com for a real job and THEN consider moving here. While Chicago isn’t the most expensive city around, it does take some money to live here adequately, even in the most modest of neighborhoods.
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WE have no comprehension skills? YOu clearly state that you can crash on a friends couch for a “week or two” and you expect to have about $500. Even if you found an apartment for $500, you have to come up with first and last months rent ($1000 right there) and a security deposit most likely, you have to pay for electricity or heat or both, transportation to and from work (unless your friend is going to drive you every day) and food (unless your friend is going to let you eat all of her food for free).
Even if you hit chicago with $700, you won’t be able to make it a month. You need at least $1000 up front to get an apartment (if the apartment is $500 a month, which mean it will be a crappy studio apartment).
Look, everyone is telling you the truth. you need a job in the city NOW, more money saved up than $700. But if you think $700 is enough to start living in Chicago on your own, go for it. YOu obviously have this all figured out so why are you asking us? Good luck. YOu’ll need it.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Even on $400 a week in Chicago, you can’t afford to live. Look up rents in a Chicago newspaper. Gas is more expensive, utilities outrageous, food is unbelievable. Did they ever pass the 11% tax in Chicago for everyday items? A fast food job is not the answer, owning the fast food joint isn’t any better. There is a reason people live in their cars, at missions and on the street. You can’t rely on friends to pull your weight. You have to do that yourself.
March 24th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
thanks for sharing great stuff!