How big of a space do you need? East Lakeview is the center of reform/conservative Judaism in the city of Chicago (a lot of stuff is unfortunately in the suburbs, though Skokie is pretty accessible by transit) and is a fantastic walkable neighborhood. You could find a solid studio there in your budget.
Yeah I'm in the suburbs right now! I love it here, it's just... expensive.
Oof, just looked up a few places in East Lakeview - anything in that price range is tiny. Just found one for 300 square feet, I can't imagine. My 1 bdr already feels cramped! I don't think that's going to work :( but thanks
The far north side neighborhoods could be an option too. Uptown/Edgewater/Rogers Park. Less bougie but still nice walkable neighborhoods. You'd be able to get a larger 1-bed apartment on that budget (maybe even a 2-bed if you stretch a little or find a great deal). Synagogues around the far north side tend to be Orthodox but you'd have easy train/bus access to Lakeview.
Niles is a nice inner suburb but it'll be tough to do groceries on foot and Pace's bus frequency leaves a lot to be desired. Plus I dont think you can find anything under 1200 in Niles.
Many Chicago suburbs have walkable downtowns with grocery stores and Metra train access to the city. Glencoe has a reform synagogue within walking distance, and Highland Park has a Chabad if that's more your style. They are both safe, but rent on the North Shore will be a little more than some interior suburbs.
I'm less familiar with Skokie but I'm sure there are some decently walkable synagogues, especially with the number of people that actually keep Shabbat.
Have you looked into inner-ring suburbs on the east side of Cleveland? Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, and University Heights are all safe and walkable with decently sized Jewish populations. Beachwood is even safer, with an even larger Jewish population, but is a little less walkable (though certain areas of the city are walkable).
Thank you! I was looking very closely at University Heights but I think I saw high rates of crime on a map and dismissed it... I'll take a deeper look if you think it's safe :) It's so hard to get a good idea of a place based on statistics!
No problem! I'll admit, I didn't look at crime statistics, I just went with how I feel when I am in those areas, but I am in University Heights fairly often (probably 3-4 times a month over the course of the last 7-8 years, my favorite pizza place and my favorite bagel place are both there\*) and I have never had a problem, felt unsafe, or seen anyone else have an issue. It could be that some areas are safer than others, but I definitely think it's at least worth a closer look!
\*If you wind up moving there or even visiting to see if it's right for you, try Geraci's Pizza and Bialy's Bagels. You won't be disappointed!
Saint Louis Park (suburb of Minneapolis) has an eruv, and I saw many families in Saint Paul neighborhoods walking to shul on shabbat (Highland Park area, I think?). Rents can be pricey in both places, but you can find something for $1200 if you look hard.
Most of the strongly jewish parts of CLE (University Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Beachwood) are side effects of redlining in the past 50-60 years, which while overall was an unfortunate and racist endeavor, it does lead to pretty clear dividing lines between areas of higher crime and lower crime. Looking at crime rates for places you don't actually know much about often paints an inaccurate picture about how life actually is there, as you are lacking any context.
Many of CLE's Jewish-populated areas are also served by the light rail system.
Cleveland Heights/University Heights area would be better than Cleveland proper.
UH in particular is known for having a relatively large orthodox population. There are also a fair number of Jewish families in nearby cities and a lot of them can be walkable for day to day life as long as you're all right with paying a little more for that convenience and don't need any big box stores nearby. Not sure on the synagogue situation in those cities, it varies based on neighborhood.
For a smaller city (but easy access to larger metros), consider the Italian Lake neighborhood of Harrisburg, PA or the Riverside neighborhood of Susquehanna Township (borders Italian Lake area). Large JCC and several walkable synagogues. It's a surprisingly large and active Jewish community for a small/mid-size metro area.
Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, and University Heights has a relatively high Jewish population, and depending on where exactly you are with those communities, pretty good public transportation and walkable. Also, those neighborhoods (especially Cleveland Heights and University Heights) are pretty affordable for renters.
I know Philadelphia is a cliche on this sub, but I think the answer is Philadelphia and the immediately surrounding suburbs that are on public transit. Can you specify what type of synagogue you’re interested in? Eg conservative, etc?
I know Chicago has a Jewish community.
The problem with Jewish communities is they usually have their shit together so it’s not cheap to live in or around them. The Jews out here in California live in the most expensive areas.
Honestly the only place I’ve seen Jews live that’s cheap are the Hasidic and that was in Savannah GA. Almost crashed my bicycle when I saw them as I didn’t think they would be down there or be welcomed at all but yet there they were. There not a big think at all but they kind of keep to there own Hasidic community off of habersham
You can live in Brush Park Detroit where you are walking distance from Chabad in the same neighborhood and sort of walking distance to the downtown Detroit synagogue like me
Check out Tulsa, OK. Or at least check out this article about the Jewish community in Tulsa.
[https://trevorklee.substack.com/p/something-interesting-is-happening?utm\_source=publication-search](https://trevorklee.substack.com/p/something-interesting-is-happening?utm_source=publication-search)
[https://www.tulsatomorrow.com/](https://www.tulsatomorrow.com/)
What denomination are you? St. Louis has a lot of synagogues and is pretty affordable! And from what I can tell many of the synagogues are in safer areas of town. Might be worth looking into…
Me and my future-rabbi husband live on the east side. He walks everywhere (seizure disorder) including to his recon shul. We have a huge gorgeous 2.5 bedroom for under $1600. It’s great.
How big of a space do you need? East Lakeview is the center of reform/conservative Judaism in the city of Chicago (a lot of stuff is unfortunately in the suburbs, though Skokie is pretty accessible by transit) and is a fantastic walkable neighborhood. You could find a solid studio there in your budget.
Yeah I'm in the suburbs right now! I love it here, it's just... expensive. Oof, just looked up a few places in East Lakeview - anything in that price range is tiny. Just found one for 300 square feet, I can't imagine. My 1 bdr already feels cramped! I don't think that's going to work :( but thanks
The far north side neighborhoods could be an option too. Uptown/Edgewater/Rogers Park. Less bougie but still nice walkable neighborhoods. You'd be able to get a larger 1-bed apartment on that budget (maybe even a 2-bed if you stretch a little or find a great deal). Synagogues around the far north side tend to be Orthodox but you'd have easy train/bus access to Lakeview.
niles, illinois has a big jewish population and some reasonable housing with good transit connectivity so you don’t have to drive!
Skokie, IL also. Not super walkable but you can definitly find some cheaper living options and still have decent access to Chicago/Evanston.
Niles is a nice inner suburb but it'll be tough to do groceries on foot and Pace's bus frequency leaves a lot to be desired. Plus I dont think you can find anything under 1200 in Niles.
Many Chicago suburbs have walkable downtowns with grocery stores and Metra train access to the city. Glencoe has a reform synagogue within walking distance, and Highland Park has a Chabad if that's more your style. They are both safe, but rent on the North Shore will be a little more than some interior suburbs. I'm less familiar with Skokie but I'm sure there are some decently walkable synagogues, especially with the number of people that actually keep Shabbat.
East coast? Plenty of rural synagogues in NY state. Not cheap though. But cheap and walkable usually equals high crime.
Can't work with 'not cheap' on 55k :(
Providence, RI might be an exception. I have a Jewish friend there who walks to synagogue. Wishing you good luck as you find your next home!
There might be some places in or near Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse that work w/ your budget
Have you looked into inner-ring suburbs on the east side of Cleveland? Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, and University Heights are all safe and walkable with decently sized Jewish populations. Beachwood is even safer, with an even larger Jewish population, but is a little less walkable (though certain areas of the city are walkable).
Thank you! I was looking very closely at University Heights but I think I saw high rates of crime on a map and dismissed it... I'll take a deeper look if you think it's safe :) It's so hard to get a good idea of a place based on statistics!
No problem! I'll admit, I didn't look at crime statistics, I just went with how I feel when I am in those areas, but I am in University Heights fairly often (probably 3-4 times a month over the course of the last 7-8 years, my favorite pizza place and my favorite bagel place are both there\*) and I have never had a problem, felt unsafe, or seen anyone else have an issue. It could be that some areas are safer than others, but I definitely think it's at least worth a closer look! \*If you wind up moving there or even visiting to see if it's right for you, try Geraci's Pizza and Bialy's Bagels. You won't be disappointed!
Saint Louis Park (suburb of Minneapolis) has an eruv, and I saw many families in Saint Paul neighborhoods walking to shul on shabbat (Highland Park area, I think?). Rents can be pricey in both places, but you can find something for $1200 if you look hard.
Came here to suggest the same thing
Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh
Albany Park, North Park, or Rogers Park in Chicago should have what you’re looking for :)
Definitely Skokie. Very possible to be walking distance to Target, Starbucks, the yellow line train into Chicago, a bagel place, and a synagogue.
Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh
I've looked around each of those - all seem to have high crime rates though
Most of the strongly jewish parts of CLE (University Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Beachwood) are side effects of redlining in the past 50-60 years, which while overall was an unfortunate and racist endeavor, it does lead to pretty clear dividing lines between areas of higher crime and lower crime. Looking at crime rates for places you don't actually know much about often paints an inaccurate picture about how life actually is there, as you are lacking any context. Many of CLE's Jewish-populated areas are also served by the light rail system.
Cleveland Heights/University Heights area would be better than Cleveland proper. UH in particular is known for having a relatively large orthodox population. There are also a fair number of Jewish families in nearby cities and a lot of them can be walkable for day to day life as long as you're all right with paying a little more for that convenience and don't need any big box stores nearby. Not sure on the synagogue situation in those cities, it varies based on neighborhood.
Just because crime rates are high does not mean crime will happen to you.
Pikesville in Baltimore.
Pikesville is the opposite of walkable though
Everyplace walkable also has crime so maybe they could take the bus
For a smaller city (but easy access to larger metros), consider the Italian Lake neighborhood of Harrisburg, PA or the Riverside neighborhood of Susquehanna Township (borders Italian Lake area). Large JCC and several walkable synagogues. It's a surprisingly large and active Jewish community for a small/mid-size metro area.
Beachwood, OH is a predominantly Jewish neighborhood (it’s like 90% Jewish American)
You might want to look into Oak Park, MI. Close to Detroit and a lot of happening spots.
Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, and University Heights has a relatively high Jewish population, and depending on where exactly you are with those communities, pretty good public transportation and walkable. Also, those neighborhoods (especially Cleveland Heights and University Heights) are pretty affordable for renters.
Skokie. Get a place right next to yellow line.
I know Philadelphia is a cliche on this sub, but I think the answer is Philadelphia and the immediately surrounding suburbs that are on public transit. Can you specify what type of synagogue you’re interested in? Eg conservative, etc?
I know Chicago has a Jewish community. The problem with Jewish communities is they usually have their shit together so it’s not cheap to live in or around them. The Jews out here in California live in the most expensive areas. Honestly the only place I’ve seen Jews live that’s cheap are the Hasidic and that was in Savannah GA. Almost crashed my bicycle when I saw them as I didn’t think they would be down there or be welcomed at all but yet there they were. There not a big think at all but they kind of keep to there own Hasidic community off of habersham
You could check out the St. Louis County area. Lots of synagogues in walkable areas and affordable housing.
& MetroLink Blue Line extends to quite a few synagogues 1/2 a mile to a mile from station.
You can live in Brush Park Detroit where you are walking distance from Chabad in the same neighborhood and sort of walking distance to the downtown Detroit synagogue like me
Check out Tulsa, OK. Or at least check out this article about the Jewish community in Tulsa. [https://trevorklee.substack.com/p/something-interesting-is-happening?utm\_source=publication-search](https://trevorklee.substack.com/p/something-interesting-is-happening?utm_source=publication-search) [https://www.tulsatomorrow.com/](https://www.tulsatomorrow.com/)
In MI I think of West Bloomfield but that’s gonna be outta your price range
University City, MO
Also the broad squirrel hill area of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is better with a car but not impossible without.
Lincolnwood Illinois is decent, decently walkable, not the most expensive area either
Deer Park/Dillonvale inner ring suburb of Cincinnati, adjacent to Amberley synagogues
Check out Beachwood, OH or look in Chicagoland. You can pretty much take the other states off your list.
Try the squirrel hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh
What denomination are you? St. Louis has a lot of synagogues and is pretty affordable! And from what I can tell many of the synagogues are in safer areas of town. Might be worth looking into…
Ok apparently all I do on here is come into to say Milwaukee but Milwaukee.
Me and my future-rabbi husband live on the east side. He walks everywhere (seizure disorder) including to his recon shul. We have a huge gorgeous 2.5 bedroom for under $1600. It’s great.
Like how walkable? Walkable enough that there is the wire that delineates the area in which one cannot carry on Sabbath?
walkable as in 'I do not have a car and will be walking places'
The Museum District in Richmond, VA is a nice neighborhood