Calumet City, IL

386 Apartments for Rent

Calumet City earned the nickname Sin City during Prohibition, seeing lots of action from bootleggers, gamblers, and prostitutes. Reformists succeeded in putting a stop to all that, and the seedy center of these illegal activities was converted to what is mainly an industrial park today, leaving Calumet with a spotless reputation.

If you're looking for a city with loads of local amenities, high income per capita, and plenty of fun things to do, then Calumet City is a good choice. Located in Cook County, Illinois, Calumet City, also known as Cal City, is home to more than 37,000 people. The city was formerly known as West Hammond before it was changed to Calumet City in 1924--keep this little bit of information handy when you come across references to West Hammond in old texts. The climate in Calumet is quite moderate, with an average of 74.8 degrees in July, and a high of 26.9 degrees in February. It's comfortable, laid-back, and fun living here in Calumet (yes, even with the bootleggers all gone).

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Finding an Apartment in Calumet City

The cost of living in Cal City is slightly above both the Illinois and national average, but compared to other major US cities, it's quite affordable. While it's not among the highest-rated cities in Illinois, Calumet still offers quite a lot, making it a really good deal for those working with a limited budget. The competition for prime rental properties in Calumet is somewhat elevated because the number of apartments available for rent is only 6 percent. You know what that means: you must be sharp and quick in your search for rental property.

Cost Factors The rents for apartments vary, of course, according to the neighborhood and other amenities. You can always get ahead of the game by setting your priorities according to a scale of preference to enable you a make quick decision when you find a good apartment--maybe you can live without air conditioning, but not without being able to bring along Fluffy. Most of the rental managers or landlords will ask for proof of employment, or proof of income in the form of pay stubs or some other documentation. Prospective renters can improve their chances of getting an apartment by providing a letter of recommendation from a previous landlord or from a current employer. Since most landlords will conduct an independent background and credit check, make sure they won't find anything nasty.

Exercise Caution When looking for apartments in Calumet City, you should consider using tried and tested tools to aid your search. For instance, looking for apartments on Craigslist might not be the wisest choice--sure you can find some good deals, but the shadiness and uncertainty is rarely worth it. If you're too broke to spring for a broker, try other, more trusted online tools. Exercise caution and watch out for offers that sound too good to be true because, we hate to be cynics, but they usually are.

Calumet City Neighborhoods

Be prepared to find the good, the bad, and the ugly in Calumet City. While most neighborhoods have their own unique charms, there are some you probably want to steer clear of. Here's a quick guide:

Torrence Park East: This is a community established in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The rates for rental property in this area are quite low, and should fit within the budget of even the most cost-conscious.

West Park Manor: This area has some homes that were built in the ‘50s that now carry relatively low prices following the national dip in housing prices in the wake of the recession.

Gold Coast: The Gold Coast is another older housing community with homes that were built in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Homes here are also affordable with easy access to amenities.

Life in Calumet City

Calumet City is a mixture of professionals, office workers, and administrative support staff. Most residents drive to work even though the commute is a little long, with some pretty nasty traffic. Some people do take public transportation--local buses and trains--and forgo the whole headache of battling traffic; a few even hoof it to work when the office is within walking distance: good for the waistline and the environment! Calumet City has a vibrant art scene, with an art theater, art center, and cultural center. Fitness buffs will also find a variety of fitness centers, and those who like to get their exercise by walking through department stores can check out one of the 18 shopping centers within one mile of the city center.