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Illinois - Chicago

Moving to Chicago and looking to live near the Desi Community.

 Chicago and Surrounding Areas

 

Many commute by car or public transportation to their work.

 

South Asian Community

• Indian: Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, and Bengali communities.
• Pakistani: Concentrated in Devon Avenue and surrounding areas.
• Bangladeshi: Growing community, especially in suburban neighborhoods.
• Nepali and Sri Lankan: Smaller but emerging groups.

 

Desi Markets

1. Devon Avenue (Little India): Located on the city's North Side, particularly in the West Ridge neighborhood, Devon Avenue is often referred to as Little India. Here, you'll find a plethora of Indian shops, restaurants, and cultural centers.

2. West Loop: The West Loop neighborhood has seen the emergence of Indian restaurants and businesses, contributing to the area's diverse culinary scene.

3. Schaumburg: A suburb northwest of Chicago, Schaumburg is known for having a significant Indian population. It has various Indian grocery stores, restaurants, and cultural events.

4. Naperville: Another suburb, Naperville, has a growing Indian community. You can find Indian grocery stores, restaurants, and cultural associations in this area.

5. Oak Tree Road (Skokie): Skokie, a suburb just north of Chicago, has a diverse community, and Oakton Street, also known as Oak Tree Road, has a variety of Indian businesses and restaurants.

 

Transportation

Chicago’s public transportation system includes the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) trains, often called the "L," and Metra commuter trains that serve the wider Chicago area. Here’s a guide:

1. CTA "L" Trains

• The "L" system has eight color-coded lines serving downtown Chicago and extending to neighborhoods and suburbs.

• Red Line:

  • Runs north-south, from Howard in the north to 95th/Dan Ryan in the south.
  • Major stops include Howard, Belmont, Fullerton, State/Lake, Jackson, and Roosevelt.
  • Operates 24 hours, making it ideal for late-night travel.

• Blue Line:

  • Runs from O’Hare International Airport to Forest Park via downtown.
  • Key stops include Logan Square, Clark/Lake, Jackson, and UIC-Halsted.
  • Also operates 24 hours and provides easy access to O’Hare.

• Brown Line:

  • Loops from Kimball through the Loop downtown and back.
  • Passes through popular neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Lakeview.

• Green Line:

  • Runs from Harlem/Lake in the west to Ashland/63rd and Cottage Grove in the south.
  • Notable stops include Oak Park, Garfield, Roosevelt, and Adams/Wabash.

• Orange Line:

  • Connects Midway International Airport to downtown (the Loop).
  • Major stops include Midway, Ashland, Halsted, and Library-State/Van Buren.

• Purple Line:

  • Primarily serves Evanston and the northern suburbs, with express service to the Loop during rush hours.
  • Key stops: Linden, Howard, Belmont, Merchandise Mart (rush-hour only).

• Pink Line:

  • Runs from 54th/Cermak in Cicero to the Loop.
  • Passes through Pilsen and Rush Medical Center.

• Yellow Line:

  • Also known as the Skokie Swift, it connects Howard to Skokie.
  • Operates between Howard (Red/Purple Lines) and Dempster-Skokie.

 

2. Metra Commuter Rail

• Service Area: Metra operates 11 lines that serve the greater Chicago metropolitan area, connecting downtown Chicago (Union Station, Ogilvie, and Millennium Station) to suburbs like Aurora, Joliet, Waukegan, Elgin, and beyond.
• Popular Lines: Rock Island, BNSF, and Union Pacific lines are among the busiest, carrying commuters from Chicago’s suburbs to the city center.
• Fares: Distance-based, with discounted weekend passes and monthly passes available.

 

3. Amtrak

• Routes: Chicago’s Union Station is a major Amtrak hub with national routes, including the California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Texas Eagle.
• Destinations: Connects Chicago to major cities like Milwaukee, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

 

4. Fares and Passes

• Ventra Card: A reloadable card that works on both CTA and Pace buses. Rides are $2.50 on the CTA trains ($5 from O’Hare), with day passes and monthly passes available.
• Metra: Tickets are purchased based on zones, with options for one-way, weekend, and monthly passes.

 

5. Airport Connections

• O'Hare International Airport (ORD): Accessible via the Blue Line.
• Midway Airport (MDW): Accessible via the Orange Line.

 

6. Best Public Schools in South Asian Areas

Elementary Schools:

• Naper Elementary School (Naperville): High ratings and diverse student body.
• Anne Sullivan Elementary School (Schaumburg): Great academic programs.

Middle Schools:

• Kennedy Junior High School (Naperville): Known for academic excellence.
• Jane Addams Junior High (Schaumburg): Strong academic and extracurricular activities.

High Schools:

• Naperville North High School (Naperville): Top-rated for academics and diversity.
• Fremd High School (Palatine): Known for strong academic programs and inclusivity.
• Niles North High School (Skokie): Offers diverse programs and caters to a multicultural student population.

 

7.  Religious Places

• Temples:

  • Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (Lemont).
  • Manav Seva Mandir (Bensenville).
  • ISKCON Chicago (West Ridge).

• Gurdwaras:

  • Sikh Religious Society of Chicago (Palatine).
  • Gurdwara Sahib Chicago (Wheaton).

• Mosques:

  • Muslim Community Center (Morton Grove).
  • Downtown Islamic Center (Chicago).
  • Islamic Foundation Mosque (Villa Park).

 

4. South Asian Grocery Stores

• Patel Brothers (Devon Avenue, Schaumburg, Naperville): Indian spices, fresh produce, and specialty items.
• Fresh Farms International Market (Niles, Skokie): Multi-ethnic grocery store.
• Apna Bazaar (Skokie): Offers Pakistani and Indian grocery items.
• Maharaja Supermarket (Schaumburg): Focus on Indian groceries.
• Vishnu Foods (Naperville): Popular among Indian families.

 

8.  Cost of Living

• City of Chicago:

  • Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,800–$2,500.
  • Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling): ~$150–$200/month.

• Suburbs (Schaumburg, Naperville, Skokie):

  • Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,500–$2,200.
  • Lower utility costs compared to the city.

 

Post your questions and help others! 

 

Checkout the below cities	Post Apartments to help the Desi Community	Desi Store Areas
Oak Brook Glendale Heights Des Plaines Schaumburg Westmont Elk Grove Village Chicago Northlake Libertyville Tucker Waukegan Lombard Arlington Heights Wheeling Bloomingdale Palatine Morton Grove Skokie Hoffman Estates Lincolnwood Mount Prospect Woodridge Carol Stream Niles Addison Bartlett Darien Naperville Lisle Hillside Hinsdale Bensenville	List Name of Apartment Address If Has W/D Any other amenities Any utilities included How much are the rents? Your experience living there	Chicago has many Desi Stores. However the main Little India is on W Devon Street. Between North Troy St to North Damen Ave. East Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg Golf Road in Schaumburg Ogden Avenue in Naperville

 

1. We hope this help you on your search. This info can change without notice. We are not responsible for the data. Please always check with the respective apartment leasing office.
2. Please always check the area, apartment complex and its reviews and gather all details before going ahead with any rentals. Always do your research.