I don't know what to think of this

[cw68]

Maybe you should just look around and see if you can find another place. There are great deals out there. When I lived in Chicago ten years ago, my roommate and I found one such deal. In Lakeview, HUGE, nice three bedroom Victorian, second floor with a yard, balcony and garden, $850 per month, heat included. It was a good $400-500 cheaper per month than any comparable place.

Not that it has to be a full-on search, but if you look you might find something good.