Hey y'all...I am finally ready to start apartment hunting. And I am outta practice. Looking for a dog-friendly 2BR in the Logan Square/Bucktown/Wicker Park/Humbolt Park (?)/Ukrainian Village (?) area--not that you care, but...

I have been searching via the Reader on-line, but the search function is different than what I remember and a little confusing, with frustrating duplicates in the search results. Anyone have some good searching/hunting suggestions, sites, links, personal contacts--and any thoughts on services like the folks at Apartment People, for example. Or should I stick with the Reader and do the leg-work myself?

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Wish me luck.

I need it.

whoa, ken is going to move to the city? i won't believe it until i see it.

anyway, craigslist is where i've found my apartments in the city. i've checked out a lot of good ones that were found through the reader too, though. you should actually pick up a reader and then scan it.

Apartment People suck. They are like high pressure sales people. I've had more than one bad experience with them. As I've surely said to you before and you already know, it's tough with a dog, but at least the Mookster is a small pup. That's a bit better than having a beast like mine. Good luck!

Seriously--identify a neighborhood you want (which you have) and then go walk it, looking for places that the landlords have merely put a sign on the door for. Take a cellphone, call them immediately when something strikes your proverbial fancy, and snap up a real find before they have time to list it.

Craigslist is the way to go through the internet I would say. It's a lot easier than any of the other apt. search sites that I've seen personally.

if you use the reader, check their website at 7pm on tuesdays. that's when they update their apartment listings.

This is the best advice I can offer, its a great way to not only find a place - but also a great way to get to know your neighborhood.

This is also the best way to get a good deal. These types of landlords might be less likely to know the market value of their rental.

I concur

Totally on point. Everyone I know who uses 'apartment services' ends up with a shittier place for more money. Just walk thru the neighborhood dialing. Its what I did and i'm paying 725 for a 2br

Never failed me. Cellie to call immediately is a very nice feature. Quite honestly, if you dont like the place, they may know of someone else in the neighborhood who is renting. Thats how i found mine.

Wow. Hey, thanks everyone. Craigslist was a good source too.

I have a couple appointments in the "Logan Square area" tomorrow evening and I am planning on driving in on Saturday morning and just walking around the couple neighborhoods and see what I like/find...and I love to check out architecture, so the travels should be interesting regardless.

I am now officially excited. Thanks again y'all.