where is a good area in the city of chicago to live?

Question

I'm a graduate student in my early 20's planning on moving to chicago in about a year to try to find a counseling internship in the chicago public school system. Basically, I'm just wondering if anyone has any good suggestions on where I should live/work/etc. Somewhere safe, but not too expensive, and at the same time a cool artsy location with a plethora of things to do nearby (such as unique--shopping, music venues, coffee shops, bars, bookstores, etc.)

thank you in advance for your help!!

Answer 1

Well, I would suggest Rogers Park. Number one, it's affordable, which is probably the main concern of someone in their 20s moving to a new city. Now some might say the neighborhood is a little dicey, and true, there has been some problems lately. But the majority of the residents of this very mixed community (white, black, latino, asian, Indian, etc.) are very socially active and work together to fix the problems. Loyola University is located nearby so there is a big college crowd. The area was a big hippie community in the 70s and 80s and a lot of them are still there. The central meeting place for budding bohemians there is the Heartland Cafe, a vegetarian leaning restaurant that also houses two bars and features a lot of music (folkish stuff on one side, punk and country-tinged stuff on the other, with latin and blues also in the mix). They host a regular poetry night and are also connected to two small storefront theaters. And they serve a great breakfast, which is particularly great in the summer when you can sit outside on the patio.

The neighborhood has more than a few coffeeshops and most of the people there support the independent coffee shops (Ennui Cafe and Chamers) while the college students and condo owners tend to frequent the Starbucks down the street. There are also plenty of independent bookstores nearby (The Armadillo's Pillow and Kate The Great, which is not actually in Rogers Park), music venues (Morseland bar and supper club, Heartland and Red Line Tap), bars (Hamilton's, again Red Line and Heartland's Buffalo Bar, among others), a few more small theater companies (Lifeline Theater, Rhinocerous Theater Company). The area has a lot of public transportation so it's easy to get to and from the area to get to work and back.

Now a lot of people (most of whom don't live there) will tell you it's dangerous. But this is Chicago, it's a big city, there is possible danger in every community. The problems there have subsided a bit and there are thousands of people of all nationalities who live there and work there day in, day out and get along fine. You do have to be careful, particularly at night, but like everywhere in Chicago, you just have to learn not to look like a victim (walking with your head down, not paying attention to where you're going, afraid to look at anyone, afraid to confront someone because you don't want to "offend" them). But it's a great neighborhood. I mean they are building condos left and right there and they recently completed a massive multi-condo building at the far north end of the neighborhood with units going for the mid $300,000s . Developers wouldn't spend that kind of money if they thought there was a chance they couldn't sell the place. Rogers Park is close to the lake too, which is a great way to spend the summer. Do a search on the web and do a little research. There's also a great neighborhood called Edgewater (where I live) that is a little further south of Rogers Park that is also nice.

Look into all of them and if you can, visit them in person (during the day AND night) to see what the neighborhood is like.

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OK, to answer this whole crime issue, use this website (http://www.chicagocrime.org/districts/). It lists every police district in the city and gives the crime reports for January 9. You might be surprised at what you find. You can also see crime for an area for any period of time you want (one month, one year). There is no "safer" area, despite what many believe. You can decide for yourself. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 2

I'm a huge fan of Lincoln Square/North Park area. It's very clean and safe, not pricey, and the Brown line ends right there so you always get a seat on the El. Hit the area around North Park University on Foster near Kimball. You're right between the Korean, Jewish, German, Mexican and Arabic neighborhoods so there's a lot of great stuff to do that's not expensive. The architecture runs the who gamut and you can get a good 2 br apt for under $700 with heat and water included. Most importantly, most of the apartments in that area have better parking than you'll get in the more congested areas closer to the lake.

Otherwise, head up to Evanston or Skokie and experience a beautiful, clean, safe city with very little crime.

I've lived in all these areas (as well as Rogers Park...very dangerous at night) and would encourage you to check them out. The farther north and west you go in the city, the better the areas. The closer you go to the lake, the higher your heating bills in the winter...I've had them over $400 in the winter when I lived on Sheridan Rd.

Answer 3

As a single gal, I lived in Old Irving. It's ok, and affordable---but not near the things you want to do. My husband lived in Lincoln Park. Much more expensive, but in the area that you want to be. I ended up spending ALL my time there. You didn't need a car...cause you could walk to everything, or take a cab. We are now married with a family and live near Edison Park, which is more quiet and less congested.

If you want to stay where the action is...stay North and east of I94. Closer to the lake. Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville are the areas where the "fun stuff" is. If I were you, I'd try to stay around those neighborhoods..or within a few neighborhoods.

I have had friends that lived in Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Wicker Park, Bucktown...etc. Whatever you do, safety is your responsibilty...just remember that no where is really "safe".

Try this link. http://www.chicagohome.com/neighborhoodMasterList.cfm?gclid=CIrzxraC7okCFQOYWAod4UMtJg
With these two links.
http://www.chicagoreader.com/cgi-bin/sf/ziplist.cgi?
http://www.chicagoreader.com/cgi-bin/sf/zipmap.cgi?
and you might be able to find something on your own.
Also, you can look at rent prices here.
http://classifieds.chicagoreader.com/chicago/Results?subsection=oid%3A122

Answer 4

Chicago for sure! I love it and I loved living there. There are universities in and around Chicago (in places like Champaign) and its an amazing place to live. Chicago is safe, it has areas that arent 100% safe (like any other city) but Its not as bad as places like LA, believe me. Chicago is a big city and a nice city, and an overall great place to live. I <3 Chicago :)

Answer 5

Try Little Italy on Taylor Street. near University of Chicago. 2 miles from downtown, museums, etc. Take bus, train, downtown. I am not sure about prices. But any where that is safe probably cost more than the ghetto.

Answer 6

Rogers Park does not have a good rep as far as crime, I'd avoid that area if possible. I'm near Andersonville/Ravenswood area. Clean, safe and less than a mile from the lake. You can find decent prices here too. Perfect.

Answer 7

IM GOING TO SAY:

evergreen park-(by 99th in pulaski thru 114?th in pulaski)very nice, especially if you are trying to find a job at a school..evergreen park high school is on 99-100th pulaski block...also there are several grammar schools in this area as well, but i dont know the names off the top of my head at this moment..there are several malls in this vicinity, evergreen mall, chicago ridge (very nice, might want to stick with this one, its the nicest!), and ford city mall (more of a trendy setting, full of teenagers)

burbank-nice area as well, very close to evergreen park area..the same malls surround this location as well, but ford city is the closet in range..nice apts, homes, and condos also are available, especially some that were just newly built between 95th in kedzie to 95th in cicero. this area would place you really close to the new grammar school located in marquette park, which is by 71st in christiana, the school is called Tarkington Park school for Excellence..I actually live a block away from this school, and it is very nice, and HUGE! I dont know exactly what grade you were interested in teaching, but i thought it would be nice to give you some schools...i could go on and on, but these two areas im best familar with that are actually considered to be in CHICAGO...hope this helps, and good luck with teaching!

b

Answer 8

check the chicago public school website they have housing assistnce. in decent areas.

Answer 9

The far west side

Answer 10

like the above