If you ask enough DePaul students where they wish they had rented first, you’ll hear the same answer phrased a dozen different ways: “Somewhere closer,” “Somewhere cheaper,” or “Somewhere I actually liked living.” DePaul student apartments are less about square footage and more about location, transit, and lifestyle—lessons usually learned after a lease is already signed.
I’ve covered Chicago neighborhoods long enough to know this: DePaul students don’t hate where they live. They just realize—too late—there were better options hiding in plain sight.
Understanding DePaul’s Campus Geography
Before we talk neighborhoods, let’s talk reality. DePaul is not a single-campus school.
Lincoln Park Campus vs. Loop Campus
- Lincoln Park Campus: Primary home for undergraduates
- Loop Campus: Upper-level classes, business school, law school
Your ideal apartment depends entirely on which campus you’re commuting to most—and how much patience you have for the CTA at 8:15 a.m.
Lincoln Park: The Obvious Choice Students Ignore Too Often
Why Students End Up Here Eventually
Lincoln Park is the neighborhood most DePaul students end up renting in—usually after a year somewhere else.
- Walkable to campus
- Brown and Red Line access
- Grocery stores everywhere
- Coffee shops that double as study halls
Real Rent Expectations
- Studios: $1,300–$1,600
- 1-bedrooms: $1,600–$2,000
- Shared 3–4 bedrooms: $850–$1,100 per person
The Trade-Off
You pay more, but you save time—and time is the one thing students never have enough of.
Lakeview: Where Budgets Stretch Further
The Sweet Spot for Cost-Conscious Students
Lakeview is where DePaul students move when Lincoln Park rents make them flinch.
- Cheaper than Lincoln Park
- Still Red/Brown Line accessible
- More inventory, especially older walk-ups
Popular Areas Within Lakeview
- Near Belmont Red/Brown/Purple Line
- Sheffield corridor
- Southport-adjacent blocks
Typical Rents
- Shared apartments: $750–$950 per person
- Studios: $1,200–$1,450
Students living here usually say the same thing: “I should’ve done this sooner.”
Logan Square: The Surprise Favorite
Why Upperclassmen Love It
Logan Square isn’t close—but it feels right.
- Creative energy
- Better apartment quality for the price
- Blue Line straight to the Loop
Who This Works For
- Students with Loop-heavy schedules
- Anyone tired of “student housing vibes”
Rent Reality
- Studios: $1,200–$1,500
- Shared units: $700–$900 per person
You trade proximity for space, style, and sanity.
Uptown & Edgewater: The Underrated Value Plays
Quiet, Affordable, and Transit-Friendly
These neighborhoods rarely show up in freshman housing searches—and that’s a mistake.
Why they work:
- Red Line access
- Larger apartments
- Lower rent ceilings
Typical Costs
- Studios: $1,050–$1,300
- 2–3 bedrooms: $650–$850 per person
Not glamorous. Very livable.
West Loop & South Loop: Mostly for Grad Students
Who Should Look Here
- MBA students
- Law students
- Students working full-time
The Catch
- Higher rents
- Less student-oriented housing
If you can afford it, the convenience is unbeatable.
What Students Say They’d Do Differently
After years of covering Chicago rentals, here’s what DePaul students consistently regret:
- Choosing price over transit access
- Ignoring commute times
- Renting sight-unseen
- Waiting too long to start searching
What They’d Prioritize Now
- CTA access first
- Walkability second
- Rent third
Best Timing for DePaul Apartment Hunting
- February–April: Best selection
- May–June: Competitive, rising prices
- July–August: Panic season
The best apartments rarely make it to public listing sites.
Summary: Where DePaul Students Actually Belong
The truth is simple: most DePaul students don’t choose bad apartments—they choose apartments without enough information. Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, and Uptown all offer strong options depending on budget and schedule.
The students who are happiest aren’t paying the least. They’re wasting the least time.
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