With all of the negative headlines we’re used to seeing about Englewood, it might not be the first place you’d look for a rental, but that doesn’t mean nice ones aren’t available. If this photo is any indication, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom single family home in Englewood would look at home in the Oak Park of Ernest Hemingway’s childhood. Located at 6752 S Perry Ave, the three-story, newly renovated home has walk-in closets in the bedrooms, a decorative fireplace and recessed lighting. It’s also pre-wired for cable and broadband.
With its fenced-in yard and abundance of greenspace, the landlord of this place can also tout quick access to the Loop. Depending on the circumstances, you can be downtown in less than 20 minutes – the home is just 1.5 blocks from both the Dan Ryan Expressway and the Red Line. But the rent of $1,600 per month, which would seem like a steal in many neighborhoods, strikes me as high for the area.
Rents in Englewood aren’t as cheap as one would think. The reason is risk. The higher rates of eviction and late/non-payment of rent tacks a premium onto rent for everyone who lives in the neighborhood. But $1,600 for a nice looking house like that is a good deal in any neighborhood.
Even with the high rates of eviction and late/non-payment of rents, it still doesn’t justify the rent being this high. Looks like a very nice house. It says in the ad it’s Section 8. Maybe that’s how they get what they want for the rent?
This brick four-square resembles my childhood home, accept there are dormers on all four sides and it sits on a triple lot. My mother and I remodeled it 6 years ago. My late father paid $25,000 for it back in the ’70s. How times have changed. $1,600 is a good mortgage payment. I hope the prospective renter treats the property with the respect a buyer would, but it’s fantastic as a rental.
Why is there more risk in Englewood?
“Why is there more risk in Englewood? ”
Let’s see. Englewood has some of the city’s poorest residents and has one of the highest crime rates.
Everyone knows that poor people pay more for everything i.e food at the minimart, car insurance, homeowners insurance, interest rates, paydays loans. Haven’t you heard quote “It’s expensive to be poor?” Why would rent be any different?????
I know half a dozen people (their files are sitting next to my desk) who live in Englewood and pay rent that I would consider to be above average…especially considering the condition of some of the dumpy units they live in. It surprised the hell out of my too when I first realized that the ‘hood ain’t that cheap, but then I thought about it and it made sense.