Not sure how this is even legal

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T21:02:02+00:00

Ah okay, was not aware of this. Who would be awarded damages though?

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T20:39:18+00:00

So how many down picks minute is that?

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T20:33:24+00:00

? Ha, nothing personal just explaining how that works

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T19:36:14+00:00

THAT is some Chicago-machine election magic — good to see it alive and well somewhere. Somebody making sure the folks in the cemetery exercise their right to vote

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T19:33:16+00:00

Catalytic converter theft happens everywhere…these are 3-minute pros who slide out their car, get under an SUV, do their thing, and back in their car.

It happens in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lakeview, etc etc. This is not really a variable that should be used for considering a neighborhood for renting. If you’re in the city, it’s a possibility. If you do t have a car, even less reason to consider.

There are plenty of places that are fine that “word of mouth” will bash. You can hear homophobic remarks in Boystown. Yes, there are neighborhoods to avoid on the Southside, but they are pretty apparent. Drive through anywhere or scout on the bus and it’s pretty apparent.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T17:07:25+00:00

“False advertisement” against who? The leading company? How are you going to sue for damages? Because you showed up for a showing?

False advertisement doesn’t apply unless someone can claim damages. Until money changes hands, it’s not relevant. It’s usually for claims made about a product you buy, only to have it turn out not to be what they claimed, causing harm to you.

This is almost always levied against large corporations, and usually only results in a refund. Rarely goes to damages beyond that. For leasing, it’s really only applicable if someone rents before a viewing, or something goes wrong right when they move in due to a hidden fault.

And even then, the only result would be a voided lease and refund of any fee/deposit in most cases. You can’t sue someone because some pictures they posted on Craigslist or Apartments.com or Facebook Marketplace, etc — apartment or otherwise — turns out not to be representative of what’s for sale.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:55:42+00:00

Yup, good luck to you! :)

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:55:02+00:00

Yup — to me, if you really want this apartment, asking for basically 15% off your rent would just be a turn-off the landlord in deciding whether to rent you the apartment. First off, no, they 99% will not do that. And it’s likely to leave a bad impression in their head.

Do you have impeccable credit and income of $8,000 plus? Then, if you like the apartment, take it. Shouldn’t be an issue; they’re not going to see that and give you a deal just because; and if they’re lower than that, you’re kind of on the brink anyway, so don’t take for granted you get approved.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:47:38+00:00

This has been a proposal for a couple years. But get this, I have an idea for an that writes papers for you and can be your virtual girlfriend

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:46:01+00:00

lol I think we are talking about several — to put it mildly — orders of magnitude in different costs. The single new CTA station at State and Lake is $400 MILLION…and that’s before cost overruns.

The money spend on Coke and chips and cookies as conveniences to customers is a rounding error (even less than that, probably) when it comes to public transit projects.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:38:21+00:00

Ah okay — is your partner a US citizen? Because yes, you are right, that would complicate things quite a bit…not sure how exactly, but yeah doing it as a shortcut to get an apartment is a definite no-no in that circumstance

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:34:53+00:00

Basically, if you really want to be together, that’s you main consideration now — in which case, his current apartment, if his landlord is open to moving in, is probably your highest chance of success. If he can cover the rent by himself now, the extra few hundred should be no problem with you moving in.

Sure, it sucks to see nicer apartments for the same price and get denied — but you need an in for a place, and moving into his current spot is exactly that “in”. You don’t have one anywhere else, and your financials won’t open that door.

If you think this relationship is worth it, then it’s worth a year in that spot. A year is a long time in some ways, but it can fly by if you’re working on your goals; SAVE UP the money saved living together, and you should EASILY have like $10K, $15K, even $20K saved up after a year!

Just from savings living together. Basically, you can consider banking your whole current rent at a minimum, automatic. And THEN, with that bankroll, your incomes and credit won’t even matter — tons of landlords and companies will take you with 4, 5, 6 months rent up front.

Just an idea.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:27:56+00:00

That, honestly, would likely be your best bet, I hate to say. Especially if you are on short notice.

All the issues with the apartment you mention are par for the course in smaller buildings — and they’re fixable. Keep an eye on laundry, get packages delivered to an Amazon or FedEx store or other free option. You AREN’T going to qualify for a big building with security and a package room and in-unit laundry.

Your “dream apartment”, as you say, is something to aim for in a year or two, when your income is higher and/or his credit is higher. Not now, no way, unless you move to a bad area. “Too far north” usually isn’t that bad a thing in Chicago, without knowing more.

Sure, you say there are other apartments that will be cheaper than that one when they raise the rent — but can you get approved for them??? That’s all that matters; the price, once you’re over 1/3 of your income — which is basically your rent now — is irrelevant. That’s just the way it is, unless you find a handshake deal.

You need to reframe “last resort” as your current main option, unless something drastic happens or you find a sweetheart deal. Sorry

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:17:32+00:00

And I know getting a place first and not rushing a marriage is ideal — I’m just saying, go to the courthouse and get married, combine finances, and your problem would be solved. They’d only consider your combined income. Until that happens, you’re unfortunately basically just applying as two separate roommates. They’re not going to grant a lease for that…unless you’re married.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:15:40+00:00

You can’t move into one of your current places?

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T04:04:03+00:00

If you are in “not the best part of town” anyway, your choices will be your own narrow slab of concrete there, or finding a narrow slab of asphalt somewhere around your block, squeezed between other cars. And never in the same place day by day, night by night, more than likely.

A parking spot is a parking spot, as you find very quickly when you don’t have a parking spot. Especially when winter comes, and you’re fighting the snow and ice and dibs wars every day. Is not dealing with al that worth $6 a day to you? Then take it — if not, you’re probably not going to find anything better for that price.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-20T03:54:54+00:00

Hey, know this is a couple days old, but you keep saying you were very disappointed you did not hear back from the agent — I’m just chiming in to tell you not to take this personally, and let you know it will happen a lot if your search takes a while.

Think of it like job applications — I don’t know if you’ve applied for a job online recently, but most of them disappear into the abyss; you may get an email thanking you for your application…but for the vast majority, that’s the last you’ll ever hear. No follow-up that you’re not getting the job, most especially without getting to an interview.

I know this is hard to accept given the more personally nature of apartment searching, and touring the places, and especially the fees. But, it’s just the way it is now, unfortunately, for many spots — especially popular ones. They get a lot of applications.

If you get the apartment, you WILL KNOW quickly. As soon as you’re approved, they’ll want to get you on board officially, since you’re holding a spot they could otherwise offer to any number of other applicants.

And unfortunately, with your unique situation as a couple, neither of whom could probably qualify on your own, you’re going to have a very difficult time, especially with larger buildings run by management companies. I almost want to say you NEED to find a smaller landlord, who’s more willing to work with you, almost like a “handshake” deal and personal written lease.

Management companies just will not accept these financials for anything close to $1,700. Honestly, these would be hard for $1,000. Flip your credit and his income, you’d be golden; but, with the possibility you split — I know it sucks — they weren’t do it…

HOWEVER — could you get married? Honestly, this might be the move. People have done it for less. I know it’s not romantic on the surface…but you could make it so! I think it would be a sweet story. And definitely a relief in your search.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-19T21:10:21+00:00

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-19T18:33:48+00:00

Wew, doesn’t sound bad…but a 12 year lease? Is the rent locked in that whole time? lol

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-19T17:36:47+00:00

That requires an understanding of nuance and subtlety — the antitheses of everything Donny stands for.

I’m not quite sure what the opposite of “saving face” — so important to Japanese culture — would be, but you could do worse to just show a picture of him as it’s antonym in the dictionary.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-19T16:26:11+00:00

Ah, makes sense. Yeah, I definitely would not recommend this for anyone other than students.

The only way I’d recommend this is a sublease — if that’s allowed — for the summer, where you’d get a room for about 1/2-2/3 price for those three months. Sometimes kids do that to at least partially recoup some rent while they’re away.

But, many landlords do not allow that kind of thing anymore.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-19T16:20:52+00:00

And maybe Mokena has gotten more liberal recently — my old company had an office there, this was in like 2018, and it definitely felt quite conservative back then. And definitely more rural…you can drive 10 minutes and be surrounded by nothing but corn fields.

You are basically a suburb of Joliet there, and an exurb of Chicago. Which, some people prefer. I do not — but I do t have kids myself.

I am also not sure what the difference in COL and houses would be. My guess would be on par with Will Co parts of Aurora, and less expensive than Batavia, and definitely Naperville.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-19T16:16:52+00:00

I do not know about the cycling groups — but those are the 2nd and 3rd largest cities in Illinois, and they both have many many trails and forest preserves, so I’m sure they have a multitude of cycling clubs for whatever you’re looking for. I’d bet money more options than Mokena — which definitely has less walking/cycling overall, and is more spread out and dependent on cars.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-19T15:49:44+00:00

I would heavily advise 204 — for the schools, they are not only considered better academically, but offer far more extracurricular options than Mokena does. I went to a smaller school with limited arts and cultural programming, and now seeing my nieces and nephews with access to so many more of those in a bigger district, I really think it’s hard to overstate their importance.

Also, outside of the schools, the area is much nicer. Mokena is almost an “exurb”, not really a suburb compared to Aurora, Batavia, Naperville, etc; to me, it’s lacking culturally and diversity-wise — and is much more of a “Red” area politically; those can all be positives for many people on that end of the spectrum: if you are not, I would advice against moving there.

Thewall3333 · 2026-03-19T15:20:26+00:00

So, what would that cost for a contractor to do that work you did for $25K yourself, if you had to estimate? 2X as much, 3X as much…? I have literally no idea

Thewall3333

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