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DePaul University spreads about 21,922 Blue Demons across two Chicago campuses, one in leafy Lincoln Park and one downtown in the Loop. Lincoln Park is the heart of student life, a walkable grid of brick three-flats and tree-lined streets that runs right up against the park it's named for and the Lake Michigan shoreline beyond it. You're minutes from the lakefront trail, the conservatory, and the free zoo, and the CTA Red and Brown lines put the whole city in reach from the Fullerton stop. Fall kicks off with Blue Demon Welcome and the new-student cavalcade to the Quad, and homecoming spirit peaks during Blue Demon Week. Most students walk, bike, or ride the L between class, the lake, and downtown, so a car here is mostly dead weight.
DePaul does not force first-years into the residence halls, which is unusual for a school its size. Most freshmen still choose to live on campus their first year, but it is a choice rather than a mandate.
Because there is no lock-in, you can start eyeing off-campus places earlier than peers at mandate schools, and plenty of students make the jump to a Lincoln Park or Lakeview apartment by sophomore or junior year. Chicago's rental process is straightforward but landlord-driven, with a credit and income check. If you do not qualify on your own, a guarantor or cosigner usually clears it.
Many Chicago buildings run 12-month terms starting in summer, with July 1 and August 1 as the big lease-start dates. Larger buildings may charge a separate move-in or elevator fee, and the city's tenant ordinance governs deposits and notice. Heat is sometimes included in older walk-ups and sometimes not, so confirm before you sign.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Depaul University before signing a lease.
Chicago runs on a fast, predictable leasing clock, so start early. Landlords list units roughly four to eight weeks before they are available because current tenants decide on renewal 30 to 60 days out. If you want a strong place close to campus, line up roommates over the winter and tour in February through April. Most students at DePaul who want a prime Lincoln Park spot start planning in the winter.
The busy season runs May through September, with July 1 and August 1 as the big lease-start dates right before fall classes begin. The best Lincoln Park places near the Fullerton stop move quickly once they hit the market. Demand is heaviest as those start dates approach. Typically the closest-in units near the L are claimed first.
Search too late and you will be picking from leftovers in late summer when options thin out. Spring subletters do pop up from students studying abroad or graduating. If you miss the main window, check campus boards and the off-campus housing portal for short-term and sublet listings to bridge you. These can carry you until a full lease opens up.
The classic DePaul base, walkable to class with brick three-flats and quick lake access.
Sit right around campus, quiet and student-heavy.
Just north, it draws upperclassmen who want more nightlife and a slightly easier commute on the Red and Brown lines.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
A shared room or a bedroom in a shared Lincoln Park apartment usually runs about $700-$1,200/month per person, with newer buildings and units closest to the Fullerton stop landing at the top. Older walk-ups farther from the L sit lower. Budget another $40-$120/month for utilities, since heat is included in some older buildings but not most newer ones.
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