The Alfred

This is the area most people are talking about when they say “downtown Chicago” — the second most important commercial district in the U.S. The Loop, Chicago’s central business district, houses brands like MillerCoors, Morningstar, Exelon Corporation, Morton Salt, and dozens more companies that add up to more than a quarter of Chicago’s job market. For the less business-minded, the North Loop also has two main widely renowned features: The Willis Tower and Millennium Park. Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, is the U.S.’s second-tallest building — second to the One World Trade Center in NYC — at 108 stories. Millennium Park is where you’ll find Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” (aka “that iconic mirrored bean sculpture”) as well as the incredible Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which is actually classified as a work of art. Naturally, the neighborhood is also exploding with culture: the Chicago Cultural Center, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Theater District are all in The Loop.

Although it’s a predominantly business-driven area, there are several rental options in The Loop. However, living in one of the world’s centers for culture and commerce comes at a price, with some monthly rents topping $12,000. Fortunately, they mainly range from $2,000 to $3,000, and are readily available year-round.