I toured 4 apartments in Chicago to see how they compared to apartments in New York, and I was shocked by the amenities and views in the smaller city

Frank OlitoJun 22, 2021, 23:25 IST

Apartments in Chicago come with high-end amenities.Frank Olito/ Insider

On a trip to Chicago, I toured four apartment buildings in desirable parts of the city.
Every building had studio and one-bedroom apartments that cost less than $2,000 per month.
They had amenities like fitness centers, pools, and views, making me question why I live in NYC.

I live in a two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, but I want to move into a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Unfortunately, in New York, that means I have to spend well over $2,000 a month.

My living room in my Brooklyn apartment. Frank Olito/ Insider

I live in a two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, but I want to move into a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Unfortunately, in New York, that means I have to spend well over $2,000 a month.

I began looking elsewhere in the US to see if I could afford a studio or one-bedroom apartment in another city. In my research, I learned Chicago could be an option.

Listings on Apartments.com in Chicago. Apartments.com

When I arrived in Chicago, I headed to my first apartment showing at 1133 N. Dearborn, which is located in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

The exterior of 1133 N. Dearborn. Frank Olito/ Insider

I toured two studio apartments in this building that start around $1,650 per month.

A studio at 1133 N. Dearborn. Frank Olito/ Insider

Some of the apartments have a balcony with direct views of Lake Michigan.

The view from the balcony. Frank Olito/ Insider

Use of the building's amenities, like a fitness center, are also covered by the rent.

The fitness center at 1133 N. Dearborn. Frank Olito/ Insider

There's even a pool with more views of Lake Michigan.

The pool at 1133 N. Dearborn. Frank Olito/ Insider

The second apartment building I toured was located at 100 W. Chestnut, where one-bedroom apartments start at $1,699.

The exterior of 100 W. Chestnut. Frank Olito/ Insider

I toured a one-bedroom apartment in this building and was surprised by the amount of space.

The living room at 100 W. Chestnut. Frank Olito/ Insider

The kitchen is completely updated and has stainless steel appliances.

The kitchen at 100 W. Chestnut. Frank Olito/ Insider

The bedroom is modest but still workable.

The bedroom at 100 W. Chestnut. Frank Olito/ Insider

This building also had incredible amenities, including a rooftop deck with amazing views.

The views from the rooftop. Frank Olito/ Insider

Plus, the building has an indoor pool and hot tub.

The pool at 100 W. Chestnut. Frank Olito/ Insider

Next I toured apartments at 750 N. Rush, which is one block away from the Magnificent Mile.

The exterior of 750 N. Rush. Frank Olito/ Insider

I explored a junior one-bedroom apartment, which starts at $1,754.

The junior one bedroom at 750 N Rush. Frank Olito/ Insider

But there's nothing junior about the large kitchen.

The kitchen at 750 N. Rush. Frank Olito/ Insider

The building has a fitness center, but the most impressive amenity is the beautiful pool.

The pool and outdoor space at 750 N Rush. Frank Olito/ Insider

The last building I toured was over in Lakeview at 3130 N. Lake Shore Drive.

The exterior of 3130 N. Lake Shore Drive. Frank Olito/ Insider

This was the cheapest building, with studios costing as low as $1,280 and one-bedroom apartments costing $1,680.

The studio at 3130 N. Lake Shore Drive. Frank Olito/ Insider

I fell in love with the view of Lake Michigan from the apartment windows.

The view from 3130 N/ Lake Shore Drive. Frank Olito/ Insider

Although this building doesn't have a pool, it does have a dry cleaner and a convenience store in the lobby.

The dry cleaners and the convenience store at 3130 N. Lake Shore Drive. Frank Olito/ Insider

After touring four apartments in Chicago, I realized I could get a lot more for my money in the Midwestern city.

A view of Chicago from an apartment's rooftop deck. Frank Olito/ Insider

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I toured 4 apartments in Chicago to see how they compared to apartments in New York, and I was shocked by the amenities and views in the smaller city

I live in a two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, but I want to move into a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Unfortunately, in New York, that means I have to spend well over $2,000 a month.

I began looking elsewhere in the US to see if I could afford a studio or one-bedroom apartment in another city. In my research, I learned Chicago could be an option.

When I arrived in Chicago, I headed to my first apartment showing at 1133 N. Dearborn, which is located in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

I toured two studio apartments in this building that start around $1,650 per month.

Some of the apartments have a balcony with direct views of Lake Michigan.

Use of the building's amenities, like a fitness center, are also covered by the rent.

There's even a pool with more views of Lake Michigan.

The second apartment building I toured was located at 100 W. Chestnut, where one-bedroom apartments start at $1,699.

I toured a one-bedroom apartment in this building and was surprised by the amount of space.

The kitchen is completely updated and has stainless steel appliances.

The bedroom is modest but still workable.

This building also had incredible amenities, including a rooftop deck with amazing views.

Plus, the building has an indoor pool and hot tub.

Next I toured apartments at 750 N. Rush, which is one block away from the Magnificent Mile.

I explored a junior one-bedroom apartment, which starts at $1,754.

But there's nothing junior about the large kitchen.

The building has a fitness center, but the most impressive amenity is the beautiful pool.

The last building I toured was over in Lakeview at 3130 N. Lake Shore Drive.

This was the cheapest building, with studios costing as low as $1,280 and one-bedroom apartments costing $1,680.

I fell in love with the view of Lake Michigan from the apartment windows.

Although this building doesn't have a pool, it does have a dry cleaner and a convenience store in the lobby.

After touring four apartments in Chicago, I realized I could get a lot more for my money in the Midwestern city.