I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you - I read your post- but I've just been really busy, so let me offer some help now: I live in Roscoe Village( here's a link about the 'hood -
http://www.roscoe-village.org/ )
which is nice, safe, mixed rich yuppie/ middle class( straight singles, famlies, gay singles/couples) and about 10 minutes from "Boy's town"which is Lakeveiw ( our largest Gay community) the nice thing about my area though is that it is about 10 minutes from EVERYTHING and close to all public transport/highways and it is no where nearly as congested,dirty or crowded. If you could tell me your price range and what you are looking for, and for how long you will be needing a space ,I could help you out a little more.But if you are interested, I have a second floor to my house that I'll be clearing out- the larger room is completely renovated,we just need to put the carpet down, and repaint it,(we are actually going to repaint all of the rooms) it has a large closet, full kitchen,2 baths, the rest of the house is still being redone. The bus stops right in front of my house and cabs are abundant, parking is good also in case you're renting a car and there are stores all in walking distantance. There is a great park down the street, and cool little shops and cute restaurants one block over. The apartment is not a not a beauty-but it's cute- because it is still being worked on,I'm not gonna lie to you and tell you it's perfect. But you would have the whole upstairs house to yourself,and it will cheaper than what places go for in the area, and Lakeveiw. The only thing is my husband is a doctor and I have twins so for the most part, during the weekdays- we keep "domestic" hours. Talk to me- Gigi
GiGi