Where to live in Chicago?

Question

I'm a college student, living in a dorm right now. For my third year of college, next year, I want to get out of the dorms and live on my own. I live right downtown in the loop right now. I've visited some surounding neighborhoods, but still dont know enough about them to know where to live. I'm really tired of the loop. It's a great place to go to school and work, but I'm really looking for an actual neighborhood that is more slowed down.

I really like the area around Lincoln Park, Armitage. I would like to live near cute shops, in a friendly, bright area, but is also a neighborhood. I don't want to live in a high rise.

Any ideas on the most appropriate place? Somewhere that is safe of course. I was looking up apartments, but didn't know what area to look under.

Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

It seems to me that you have a good idea of where you want to be and LIncoln Park is definitely a neighborhood that is flooded with young professionals. The previous answers have good suggestions as well. I would like to add to them the historic Hyde Park around the University of Chicago campus. That area is often forgotten, but I always find it refreshing.
The near West side around UIC has also become lovely. Especially around Taylor street.
In terms of safety, you have to remember you live in the city and what is safe? We live in Lincoln Park and there have been attacks on people just as they happen everywhere else. You just have to be more careful. Just because it's a nice neighborhood, it doesn't mean that bad people don't go there.

Answer 2

Depends on how far north/south/west you want to go. You can always go over to Bucktown/Wicker Park, or you can do Lincoln Park/Lakeview, or you can go further north to more neighborhood-y type places in Wrigleyville, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, etc. THe closer you are to the lake the more likely you're going to find lots of high-rise type apartments. Living right off of Clark or Halsted or Broadway might be your best bet. Close enough to shops/restaurants, but still somewhat neighborhood-like. Good luck!

Answer 3

Like you said... Lincoln park, Armitage, Wrigleyville, Wicker Park.. all good areas. My wife likes the shops in Wrigleyville.