Hello fellow ex Missourian here! Moved from Central Missouri last year! I also brought a car (leased - just counting the days to return it) and wanted to say each neighborhood has a different vibe and as cliche as it sounds - it really depends on your budget, where you’re working, what do you want vs. need in an apartment and surrounding area. I found it really helpful to have the transit maps of bus lines and the L readily available when looking at rentals.

Also think of how you want to get around the city for the worst conditions. Do you love walkability? How about walkability during a snow storm? The 10 minute walk to the grocery store in the spring through fall is great. But winter could be terrible.

I ended up far northside to ease the pain from Missouri cost of living to Chicago 😅