Near North Side & Gold Coast. Perfect for young professionals looking to live in one of the wealthiest historic neighborhoods in the entire country, Lincoln Park & Old Town. Part of what makes Near West Side one of the best places to rent a home in Chicago is its variety of green spaces to explore and its affordable, bright, and spacious lofts and condos. This elegant Chicago neighborhood also has vibrant murals, artistic storefronts, and old-fashioned light poles.
However, Chicago residents who live on the Near West Side often come here because it is home to award-winning institutions, such as the University of Illinois at Chicago, Malcolm X College, and the Chicago-Kent Law School. And since this affordable Chicago neighborhood also includes the West Loop, residents can take advantage of easy access to Union Station, making the Near West Side one of Chicago's best neighborhoods for public transportation. From its 26 miles of picturesque lake shores, varied culinary delights and thriving music scene to iconic skyscrapers, prairie-style architecture, and abundant green spaces, Chicago blends big city style with the soul of the Midwest; and each of Chicago's neighborhoods has its own personality. A city with five consecutive years of visitors, Chicago is also a livable city with diverse neighborhoods, each with its own atmosphere.
Whether you're moving to Chicago from the other side of the country or across town, finding the right neighborhood to meet your needs can be an adventure, considering that Chicagoland encompasses 14 counties that span three states: Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Located in northeastern Illinois, Chicago is located on the southwest coast of Lake Michigan, a place that contributes to its nickname the Windy City, as it fuels both freezing gusts in winter and cool breezes in summer. While nearly 3 million of us call the city home, nearly 10 million residents live in the greater Chicago area. Cultural DiversityChicago, the third largest city in the country, is truly a melting pot of cultures.
On any given day, depending on the streets you walk, you can hear the locals speaking English, Spanish, Polish, Italian, Greek, Arabic, Tagalog, Mandarin, Russian, or 100 other languages. Nearly 80% of people living in Illinois speak English, but there are definitely areas in Chicago that have cultures near and far: Chicago's bustling Chinatown, Little India on Devon Avenue, and Mexican neighborhoods in Pilsen. Wondering where to live in Chicago? Finding the perfect home that fits your personality and preferences in Chicago's roughly 77 neighborhoods can seem like a challenge. But if you know what you're looking for and what you're willing to spend, you can narrow down the field.
Named after the L, which forms a raised rectangular loop around the area, downtown Chicago is mainly home to the financial district and high-rise offices. But The Loop is also becoming more popular with residents who want to live within walking distance of their offices, or for college students who want to be close to their schools, since there are several universities nearby. Among the benefits of living in these high-rise apartments are the cultural attractions that are just a few blocks away, from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Lyric Opera to the Broadway theater performances in Chicago. South Loop, which includes Printers Row, features a combination of mostly skyscrapers with a handful of lower-rise buildings in the Printers Row area.
Many come equipped with luxury amenities, such as multi-room spas and gyms, outdoor terraces, and private dog parks. Another part of its appeal is its location and easy access to the Loop, major highways, and CTA buses and trains. While many new skyscrapers are being developed here, West Loop really began to emerge as a modern neighborhood when old warehouses were converted to condominiums about two decades ago. The area is also well known for its restaurants along Randolph Street, also known as Restaurant Row.
Since some don't take reservations, leave early or sit at the bar and wait for a table to open at many favorites, such as Girl & The Goat, by Stephanie Izard, winner of the Top Chef, or the gourmet burger restaurant Au Cheval. As the West Loop is adjacent to other more established neighborhoods, there is access to some public schools, but, like other neighborhoods in and around the Loop, private schools meet the growing demand. Just north of the city center, the River North and Gold Coast areas are filled with an eclectic mix of high-rise housing, townhouses, and some single-family homes. Streeterville is mostly high-rise housing, which includes the iconic 100-story 875 N.
Michigan Avenue (formerly John Hancock Center), a mix of condos, offices, stores, and restaurants. Wealthy Streeterville residents have access to a number of dining and shopping opportunities, including Michelin-starred restaurants and iconic stores along the Magnificent Mile, a 13-block stretch of high-end stores like Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, and even the new 35,000-square-foot Starbucks Reserve Roastery along Michigan Avenue. On the north side of the city, there are several family-friendly communities, such as Andersonville, Lincoln Square, and Roscoe Village. Like many other neighborhoods in the city, each one has its own personality and a “main street” with independent restaurants and stores.
Among those skyscrapers and art galleries all over the River North area, there are also plenty of nightclubs and bars, where you can enjoy a full-fledged nightclub scene, with cordoned off lines and doormen wearing shirts tight enough to show off bulging pecs. With customers wearing outfits that could serve double duty as beach attire, it can be a fun place just for people watching. While Chicago is a large metropolitan city, it's not a concrete jungle. Thanks to some forward-thinking planners and urban leaders, Chicago has more than 570 parks covering more than 7,600 acres of land.
As their names suggest, these two neighborhoods have a lot of parks and trees. Hyde Park, on the south side, is home to the University of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and architect Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Robie House. Find stately mansions along mature tree-lined streets, as well as condos and apartment buildings on any given block. It's one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city and is close to Jackson Park, a 500-acre park.
Not all areas of Chicago are ideal for tourists, but even the safest neighborhoods in Chicago offer something a little different. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the Chicago River and the Chicago skyline with your four-legged friend in Hall A. Chicago food scene All that cultural diversity mixes with fresh, locally sourced food from Midwestern farms to make Chicago a paradise for diners. Little Italy offers an Italian influence and a community-oriented environment, while students at the University of Illinois at Chicago give University Village a youthful spirit.
While Chicago has been fighting high crime rates for years, when you look at neighborhoods, it's important to put all the news about the bad parts of Chicago into perspective. Put on your game-day outfit and watch a Chicago Bulls (NBA) or Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) game at the United Center. Lincoln Park, one of the best places to live in Chicago for people who want a combination of urban services and semi-suburban living, is known for its beautiful brick townhouses and tree-lined streets, making this Chi-Town neighborhood ideal for young adults looking to buy a home in Chicago. .
