Friday, May 13th, 2011

Introducing the next post in our series on summer housing options for summer internship: Chicago!

Chicago is known for its summer street festivals, museums, and fabulous dining facilities. So spending the summer as a Chicago intern can be the experience of a lifetime. Don’t let the burden of finding great housing overtake the fun and excitement of your summer internship. Here are a few options to get you started in your search for the perfect summer home while you’re rocking your Chicago internship.

Summer Housing Chicago

One of the most exclusive summer residences is the Buckingham. The building is used exclusively for students during the summer months, but opens up its doors to non-students during the summer. Because the building generally caters to the student community, it is the perfect transitional housing unit for a summer intern. The apartments are fully furnished, and even include full size washers and dryers. Located in the middle of downtown, Chicago interns can take advantage of its close proximity to the business district, and maj-hour security.

Chicago Summer Housing

Chicago Summer Housing opens its doors to interns from May until August, and offers flexible, short term leases. The apartment building is located in Downtown Chicago’s Loop neighborhood close to the lakefront and Michigan Avenue. There is also a public train and bus system close by that makes it easier for summer residents to find their way around town when commuting to and from work. The apartments are similar to residence halls in that they offer furnished units with the option of adding a meal plan. You can also make a roommate request if you and a buddy are staying in the area doing your Chicago internships together.

Airbnb

Airbnb is a jewel amongst those traveling on a budget. While the website is not necessarily geared towards students or interns, it does offer a bevy of alternatives in which summer interns in Chicago can take advantage depending on their price range and housing needs. There are no long term leases, and every location is unique. Airbnb allows Chicago interns an opportunity to get to know the true heart of the city where they will be living and working.

Student Housing

If your mission for the summer is to simply sit back and enjoy your internship and let someone else plan the details, then perhaps student housing is for you. By living in a residence hall interns do not have to be concerned about many of the details that arise when staying in an apartment or suite off campus. Student housing offers the convenience of fully furnished rooms located on a campus with amenities such as the library and recreational centers. Universities such as Northwestern and University of Illinois Chicago offer programs for summer interns but have a few restrictions such as the length of your stay and the location of your internship. Northwestern requires that summer housing residents be students of the university, while UIC does not make such requirements, yet insists on summer interns staying for at least 12 weeks during the summer.

Have you found the perfect place for your summer internship in Chicago? Tell us how you found your dream pad.