Lincoln Park or the loop? (Chicago, Wellington: apartments, rent, brokers)

[mamluk]

hey everyone,
i was wondering which area you think is better, living in the loop or lincoln park? i am looking for a place in those two areas and i am not sure which one will fit me better. i am 27 years old single male who enjoys going out and meet people, i dont wanna live in a family based area, mainly in an area of young professionals. so would the loop be safer and much more active and convenient or vice versa?
any feed back will help. thanks.

[cvatasoiu]

hmm, I would think that LP is a better choice for you. If you're still into going out and partying, then LP will provide that. Remember: a lot of college students there as well

[mamluk]

thank you, i appreciate the responce.

[Drover]

I concur. There's a much more vibrant social scene in LP than in The Loop, especially if you are referring specifically to the business and financial district in Chicago. I go to school in the Loop, and I can tell you, the place is a ghost town after 6pm when all the lawyers and bankers and stock brokers and what-not have gone home for the evening. Lincoln Park on the other hand is always bustling until 2am. I also think you'll get better quality housing in LP than in the Loop area, especially on a dollar-per-square-foot basis. Most housing in the Loop area is impersonal high-rises, whereas LP has a good mix of three-flats, courtyard buildings and a sprinkling of single-family homes that provide a more intimate living situation and neighborhood feel.

[Fuzz]

Lincoln Park hands down. The Loop is mostly businesses with some high-rise apartments. Very dead after work hours and on weekends

If you still want the skyscraper lifestyle, you could look at River North (just north of the Loop). Very fancy, very luxurious, and very pricey high-rises. Lots of restaurants, clubs, bars, and things to do. Although, from what I've seen, residents in this area tend to be older (since it is so expensive).

For your demographic, LP is perfect. If LP is too expensive, you can try Lakeview -- similar to LP but cheaper.

[Steve-o]

Another vote for LP. The Loop isnt what youre looking for, unless youre a cold-hearted, starched collared, steely-eyed banker.

[mamluk]

haha no am not like that, i think i will go with LP, although i like the high rise but i guess its going to be so depressing after 5 or 6 pm. while LP sounds like the area to be for my age. thanks everyone.

[reppin_the_847]

You may be able to find some pretty sweet high-rises overlooking Lake Michigan in Lincoln Park, but it may be pretty pricey. Also figure out if you're going to be relying primarily on your own vehicle, the el train, or CTA buses. If you plan on relying on the train, find a place nearby one of the train stops (keep in mind that the Diversey stop will be closed for construction I think for quite some time). If you plan on using the bus, try to find something near a bus stop, and if you're planning on driving, see if you can purchase or rent some type of parking spot, as parking is difficult to come by in Lincoln Park at times. If you are going to be driving into the downtown area for work, the closer you are to Lake Shore Drive (inner & outer drives), the easier it will be to drive to work.

Originally Posted by mamluk

haha no am not like that, i think i will go with LP, although i like the high rise but i guess its going to be so depressing after 5 or 6 pm. while LP sounds like the area to be for my age. thanks everyone.

[Drover]

No big deal that the Diversey stop is closed for a while since the Wellington stop is only two blocks away or the Fullerton stop is only 4 blocks away in the other direction. In fact I'm not altogether certain why the CTA even plans to keep the Wellington stop open and rebuild it. Especially during a budget crisis. Do we really need three stops in the space of four blocks? Especially with the new Diversey stop able to accommodate 8-car trains, will platform crowding at Diversey and Belmont be so much of an issue that we need to keep the Wellington station open?

[Scribbler]

Yeah, I'd not pick either, for myself...but of the two, not the Loop. The Loop is a bunch of businesses and the theatre district, and not residential-feeling at all, not probably the nightlife scene you're envisioning.