Harvey, IL 424 Apartments for Rent

The famous car chase scene in the movie "The Blue Brothers" was filmed in an abandoned shopping mall in Harvey -- the Dixie Square Mall. The film crew remodeled the mall and filled it with stores for just two days of shooting, then after the crew was done, they emptied the mall and boarded it up again.

Harvey is a small town on the edge of a big city -- Chicago, IL. It's home to about 25,000 and has an interesting history. In 1891, Turlington W. Harvey, a Christian community leader, founded the town. Harvey was a close partner of Dwight Moody, who founded the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Not only was the town a model Christian town, it was also one of the Temperance towns. Worry not, though, because today, drinking is totally legal in Harvey, and there are tons of eating and drinking establishments, as well as cultural riches to enjoy. Harvey is a good place to look for one-bedroom apartments or two-bedroom apartments, especially if you work in Chicago and want an affordable city nearby to rest your head at night.

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Moving to Harvey

If you're planning to move to Harvey, gather all the documentation you might need to apply for an apartment. This includes bank statements, identification, letters from former employers, letters of reference, tax returns, credit history and what's in your bank accounts. Harvey has a pretty high vacancy rate at any given time, so it won't be too much of a race to find your home. However, you might want to be smart about what season you search in. Winters in the Midwest, particularly by Lake Michigan, can be absolutely brutal, and if you're going to wander around and scope out apartments, it might be smartest to wait until the more temperate months. Weather-wise, the best months here are in springtime and fall.

Neighborhoods in Harvey

Harvey has been known for some economic struggles in the past, and today, it continues to be a place with varying neighborhoods -- some better than others. Community members are passionate about the town, though, and areas are being revitalized all the time. Where should you look for home rentals in Harvey? Check out the neighborhoods below.

Northern Harvey: Northern Harvey is often considered the best part of town. It's mainly residential, and it's a good place to look for a condo for rent or a rental apartment, particularly if you're looking for some relaxing living. Northern Harvey is the part of town that's closest to Chicago, so if you're planning to be a commuter, this might be the most convenient area for you to settle down in.

City Center: If you want to be in the heart of all the action, consider looking in the city center. It's definitely the busiest part of town, with restaurants, businesses, companies and more. However, it is one of the less safe areas of Harvey, so while prices might be more affordable, the lower price comes with a higher risk. Many of those now-legal drinking spots are here, though.

Southern Harvey: While not as quiet and suburban as Northern Harvey, Southern Harvey is more popular than the center of the city. It tends to be quiet, with lots of residential areas, and it feels much like a small Midwestern suburb.

Living in Harvey

Harvey is a place with a storied past, and while it has definitely had some struggles keeping up economically, it is a place where people enjoy a tight-knit community and pride in their city. There are scores of famous people who were born and raised in Harvey. Some of the most famous include artist Ivan Albright, rapper Lupe Fiasco, baseball hall of famer Lou Boudreau, basketball star Eddy Curry, author Steve Whitehurst and singer-songwriter Syleena Johnson. One of the biggest reasons so many people in Harvey have done so well is the close access to Chicago, one of America's biggest and most culturally rich cities.

Getting into Chicago from Harvey is easy. There are two Metra stations in Harvey, making it easy to hop aboard a train to the windy city. One of the stations is at Sibley Boulevard, and one is at Park Ave and 154th Street. Many residents of Harvey drive cars, even into the city. One of the reasons is because some of Chicago's main artery roads dip into Harvey, such as Halsted Street, Dixie Highway and Western Ave. This means it's easy to hop on the road and drive right on into the city.

So, if you want to spend the day in the big city, there are countless things to do besides work. Enjoy some of the world's best culture at the Chicago Institute of Art, shop at world-class stores on the Magnificent Mile or have tons of fun at the legendary Navy Pier. Love sports? Catch a Bulls game (basketball), Bears game (football) or a White Sox or Cubs game (baseball). You can also enjoy world-class dining with limitless cuisine options.

If you're thinking you'll have to go into Chicago to stay entertained, though, it's not true. In Harvey, there's lots to do to stay well-fed and well-occupied. Just like Chicago, pizza reigns in Harvey. The town is home to some legendary pizza joints that serve up the famous Chicago deep-dish pizza. Try Geneo's Pizza, a place that both visitors and locals rave about.

If you like to spend time outside, Harvey has several of its own parks where you can have picnics, play sports with friends or just spend time outside. Gloria J. Taylor Park has a playground, rec center, tennis courts and picnic pavilions. Basketball lovers can play ball at Martin L. King, Jr. Park or Lincoln Park. The town also has great public facilities like the Gloria J. Taylor Banquet Hall and Rec Center, where you can hold your own private events or attend events with other community members.

Harvey was once a manufacturing town, and today, it continues to revitalize itself to become relevant for the times. While economic troubles and struggles still exist, Harvey residents are proud of their town, its strong heritage and close connection to Chicago. it's full of good citizens who want to be your good neighbors.