I'm curious as to where in Chicago is a good place to live? I've been looking in the Hyde Park area, any other suggestions? Also, any tips I'll need on for my first month or two in the city?

Join the Chicago A&M clubs FB page - they can hook you up with Recs. I lived downtown, but most of my friends lived north in Lincoln or Wrigley.

Hyde Park is kind of alone away from the rest of the city. It's basically U of C there and surrounding neighborhoods. The areas around Hyde Park aren't the best (and not the worst either). I would look on the North side of town, personally. Downtown area has apartments, but you'll pay alot more for them + parking than further away from downtown.

If you want to be right in the thick of the bar scene and don't mind paying a little more: Wrigleyville, River North, Gold Coast or Old Town.

If you want to pay a little less, but still want to be in an area with a lot of options for going out/night life and you don't mind a few hipsters: Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Ukranian Village.

If you want more laid back neighborhood but still withing good range of plenty to do but a little pricier: Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, North Center.

If you want a more laid back neighborhood but a little less pricey and still within range of plenty to do: Lincoln Square, Andersonville, Rogers Park

If you want to be downtown but not pay the cost of Gold Coast, Streeterville or River North: South Loop or West Loop.

If you want to be in the suburbs, I'm not the right guy to give that advice.

As for tips for the first couple of months: Chicago is very friendly - go out and meet people. We've got a great Chicago A&M Club (it's on facebook). Go to Chicago Sport and Social (google it) and sign up with some random people to play a sport or go to a social outing. There's a bar for just about every sports team, so you can find your favorite team's bar and go meet other fans.

Be prepared to pay for a parking ticket or two if you have a car. No one knows the rules for a while - it's just part of your introduction to the city.

It's a great city - go out and explore it. Check out the museums, the parks, the boat tours. Read Devil in the White City for some great history so you can speak intelligently about your new home.

Oh and buy a good winter coat and boots. Don't go cheap on these, you'll use them a lot.

Welcome to town!

ChiTownAg pretty much summed it up.

We live in Bucktown/Wicker Park area and yes there are hipsters, but a ton of great restaurants, bars etc...

Lincoln Park, best bang for your buck considering location, space for $, night life, etc.

Old Town/Gold Coast second best option IMO, but still overpriced.

River North and Loop great if you can afford to pay a little more and want to be in the "thick of the city" not worth it IMO.

Stay away from West Loop and South Loop.

Been trying to get a job up there. The job market seems pretty dried up there.