Moving to Chicago frn dubai and v confused

[Enasha]

Re: Moving to Chicago frn dubai and v confused

@eastern11

I will find out about the N Clark area and let you know. But if apartments near there are $1200 etc then it’s really expensive. Better to rent elsewhere and commute. Yes, bus service to and from a public school is free and they will pick and drop kids. However, make sure that the apartment etc you rent is eligible for bus service. In some states you don’t get bus service if you live within a certain distance of the school, in others they will still give you bus service if your children are Elemantry age. So go on the school district website to make sure you are getting bus service. I also make sure the bus stop is very near to my residence. Your estate agent can find out or neighbors can let you know.

Your children can sleep with you in the same room but they will usually not allow you to get an apartment with one bedroom if there are two kids. Yes, same thing with guests. You might be able to rent a small house and then no one will care about house guests for a month or two ( usually). Don’t know if you will be able to find that in a good enough area though. Your children can stay in the after school program which is usually cheaper than regular day care. However those usually end at six and you will have to pick them up. You can arrange for a desi lady to pick them up if your hours don’t match.

Remember Chicago is a big city with lots of desis and all income levels. There are bound to be many options. Many desi ladies do baby sitting at their house for a very reasonable rate. Some may live close to the school so the bus can drop them off there or they can pick up your children. Every state has home alone laws too that mean that a child has to be a certain age before they can stay alone at home. Yes, people do break those rules. But it’s for your safety and you will be living in an apartment and you don’t want people to know your kid is home alone.

Most people know someone in Chicago. Your parents or relatives might know someone who can provide childcare. Check Sulekhcom for desis renting out basements. You can also tell the landlords that your parents will be staying for a month in that case.

I strongly urge you to get a less expensive apartment and learn to drive too. Chicago is very cold in the winter. Public transport may not be ideal. School buses are usually heated so don’t worry about that but otherwise too. You will need groceries etc as well.

JazakAllah for such an informative message. Really appreciate it! Your suggestions are valuable and I have noted them down. I feel a bit relaxed now. I didn’t understand about the distance bit. Do you mean to say if my house is very close to the school, they might not provide transportation? Is there absolutely no way I could get a one B/R with two kids. I really want to save money considering I would be the sole bread earner and this is the main cause of my worries ATM. And what time do the school finish? Any idea about after school charges? I like your idea of desi ladies. I would feel more comfortable having them with a lady who can take personal care of my kids rather than slogging my kids in the school beyond the school timings since they are still small. For sure I would not leave them at home… that is not even something to think about. Safety is priority for me. the basement idea is nice. would you have any idea how much would they charge monthly? I think it should be much cheaper than other apartments right? Is it legal there to rent out your basement to somebody? It sounds illegal to me?