Where To Buy Property in Chcicago - South Shore or North Side?

[Patricia Martin]

Hi everyone--

I will be moving back to Chicago in a few months and know that I want to buy a multi-family unit. I am unsure whether to buy in South Shore (where I grew up) or on the North side. My thoughts are that buying in SS is relatively cheaper and allows for better returns. The north side is safer and has better tenants. When I buy, this will be my 1st property and I plan on living in one of the units if the building is not fully occupied.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Brie Schmidt]

@Patricia Martin - The north side is my speciality, but I hear a lot about the south shore.  If you have been gone awhile take your time with a good agent who knows the area well.  It has good and bad pockets and I have talked to way too many investors who bought in a bad pocket of south shore and are experiencing almost a year of vacancy because they can't rent it out.  The ones that buy in the good pocket have no problems getting good renters, so it is crucial to know which is which