It was the late 90's and apartments were cheap in Chicago's Rogers Park. Actually, I believe they still are. But back then they were the cheapest in town, and quite a few college-aged kids swarmed into the neighborhood as a result. Some went to Loyola, some to Northwestern, some dropped out and got mediocre jobs at cafés and such, and some seemed to party for a living (which is good work if you can get it).
Like college-aged kids the world over, most of them were extraordinarily interested ...