Hello World! Welcome Friends! Chicago is one of the best cities this nation has to offer. If you’re thinking about moving to The Windy City, then congratulations. You’ll soon be residing in the third-largest city in the United States. Chicago is known for its impressive architecture, fantastic cuisine, friendly people, and a long and interesting history. You’ll fall in love with it as soon as you arrive if you haven’t already.
If you’re not all that familiar with the Chicago area, you may be wondering about the best neighborhoods in Chicago. There are many different neighborhoods from which to choose in this seemingly endless, sprawling metropolis, and there’s something for everyone.
There are neighborhoods for art lovers, foodies, and sports enthusiasts. There are parts of the city that have been popular for decades or even centuries and then there are other parts that are revitalized or up and coming. There are quiet neighborhoods for quiet folks and neighborhoods that are alive with action. If you enjoy parks and nature and running or biking along the shores of Lake Michigan, there are great neighborhoods out there for you as well.
If you want to know about the best neighborhoods in Chicago for every taste, read on. This post will give you a great overview of some of the best neighborhood this city has to offer.
Downtown Chicago (The Loop)
If living in the middle of the hustle and bustle of everything Chicago sounds attractive to you, then you’ll be drawn to The Loop. This area gets its name from the fact that it’s the center of town and the L train lines literally make a loop here in the middle. The Loop is primarily offices and restaurants but more and more residential buildings are being built here all the time.
As you might imagine, apartments in this area can be pretty expensive. However, you can save money by not owning a car. Everything in The Loop is within walking distance, and you can take the L train to anywhere else you’d like to go.
South Loop/Printer’s Row
This neighborhood is south of The Loop and is quite similar to it. You’ll find a lot of high-rise apartment buildings here and you’ll still have easy access to public transportation. It’s a little more affordable to live here than in The Loop, but it’s still quite expensive. As a result, you’ll mostly find successful professionals living in this area; few families live this close to downtown.
The West Loop
The West Loop is also close to the action but it is far enough away from the lake that you’ll find more reasonably priced apartments here. This area is rather trendy and new apartment buildings here are being completed every day. If you love good food, this might be a great spot for you; the famous Restaurant Row is in the West Loop and you’ll have your choice of a wide variety of local, national, and world cuisines just steps from your front door.
Bridgeport
If you want to live a little farther away from the action but still want to be able to get downtown quickly, Bridgeport might be a good choice. This southwest neighborhood is residential and walkable and consists of older buildings than those you’ll find in The Loop neighborhoods. It’s affordable to both rent or buy in Bridgeport and there are plenty of great restaurants in both the nearby Pilsen and Chinatown neighborhoods.
Beverly
If you don’t mind living quite a bit south of downtown and want a lot of space and greenery, then you’ll love Beverly. This area is known for its spacious lots and big backyards. It’s within the city lines, but it has a suburban feel and it’s great for families. There are some rentals here but the majority of residents own their homes, and most of the people who live here are families with children. If you’re looking for property that is especially affordable you may be able to find some URB, Inc. homes for sale here.
North Center
About the same distance from downtown in the other direction is the North Center neighborhood. This is a favorite of young folks and, like Bridgeport, it’s affordable to either rent or buy here. There are lots of bars and coffee shops and fun places to shop, and plenty of green places to enjoy a sunny day. You’re close to both Wrigley and the lake in North Center, too.
Lakeview
Adjacent to North Center is Lakeview. This is actually a large neighborhood that is made up of several smaller neighborhoods including Wrigleyville and Boystown. Lakeview is full of young people, action, and diversity. There are great restaurants, boutiques, and music venues in this area and you’ll never run out of things to do or new people to meet in this neighborhood.
Lincoln Park
If you want to live on the shores of Lake Michigan, you might consider the Lincoln Park neighborhood. This is just north of The Loop so you can get into the downtown area quickly but you can also enjoy the wonderful features of this area like its namesake, 1,200-acre park that includes a zoo and conservatory. There are also a wide variety of fantastic restaurants and a great lakeside running path. You’ll find people of all ages living here.
Hyde Park
Another great lakeside neighborhood is Hyde Park. This neighborhood is to the south of The Loop and is close to the University of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and a number of other impressive buildings and tourist attractions. Houses, apartment buildings, and condos stand together here, adjacent to the popular, 500-acre Hyde Park. Hyde Park is a great place to live for people of all ages and ethnicities and is right up there among the best neighborhoods in Chicago.
All Chicago Neighborhoods Are the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago
These are just a few of the wonderful options available to you in Chicago. As you can see, there are so many different options and places to consider. In the end, it all comes down to what you want and need and what feels right for you.
Take your time when choosing your Chicago neighborhood. If you can, visit several that appeal to you and you’ll know deep down which ones feel right. The best neighborhoods in Chicago are the neighborhoods that speak to your soul, and with a little research, you’ll find the perfect one. Good luck!
If you’re looking for more great posts about living in Chicago or anywhere, check out the rest of my blog!
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Utilize Outdoor Artificial Plants
A Pantry Refresh & Organization
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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