I m in the exact same boat. I m moving tomorrow to Bucktown of course it had to happen in the middle of a snow storm :/ I ve moved around before the best thing I can say is don t be shy! You won t meet anyone that way. Also taking classes is a good way to meet people with similar interests but as you say you re going to school there so I am assuming you are going to be taking classes. Actually I am going for school too (Columbia) I really want to start GMing a WoD if you are interested e-mail me.
Chicago is great. Spread out - plenty of different neighborhoods. Plenty of industry. Living conditions: good in some areas, not so good in other areas. Get hold of a Chicago mass transit map. Traveling via mass transit in Chicago is easy and cheap. Good Luck.
I think Lincoln Park is a great location for your age. It s not as congested as wrigleyville (which means parking is better). You want to pick a place that is close to public transportation (the CTA) so you can hop on that vs always having to use a car.
What are you asking? You will get here, feel uncomfortable, awkward maybe lonely, then you meet people at school, and go out and enjoy the city with them and you won t feel lost anymore.
you won t feel lost when you are living here
Buy a map
congrats you will love it here! and you will feel right at home in no time