Living without a car in Chicago (Addison, Lincoln: apartments, home, neighborhoods)

[kman]

Is it possible to survive in Chicago without a car?

First, are there even any walkable neighborhoods where everything you'd need is in walking distance or easily available by jumping on a nearby bus or two? I heard Lincoln Park and Wicker Park fit the bill, but I don't like the culture there.

Second, how about the winter when there's snow and cold temperatures? Even if there are any nice, non-homogenous walkable neighborhoods I imagine it's very hard to live in them during the winter.

I've read the I want to live close to the El because I would be working in the loop.

[SoonToBeChicagoan]

Lakeview is probably what you're looking for. Why don't you like Wicker Park? Unlike Lincoln Park, it's not homogeneous at all...

[kman]

Thanks. I've heard that Wicker Park is basically the same as Lincoln Park.

[oakparkdude]

Wicker park is getting more and more yuppified but isn't quite like Lincoln Park yet.

There are quite a few neighborhoods where its easier to get by without a car. Unlike NYC, however, there are some times where you'll probably wish you had one (groceries, packages, etc). Most of the rest of the time you can do fine by buses, el, and the occasional cab.

I'd recommend looking in car sharing (Igocars.org and zipcar.com) are the two car sharing organizations in Chicago. Go to their websites and see where their cars are located. These locations will probably give you a decent idea of where a lot of carless Chicagoans live.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Unlike NYC, however, there are some times where you'll probably wish you had one (groceries, packages, etc).

Curious -- how is it different in NYC in terms of carrying groceries or packages without a car?

[Fuzz]

I'm familiar with the north side, so I'd say you can live pretty much anywhere there without a car. We lived in Lakeview for 4 years, and the only time we used our car was to go out of the city.

Walking. buses, the "El", and cabs were more than enough for getting around without the hassle of parking. The only inconvenient times were when it came to carrying groceries (but then you shop somewhere close and don't do a month's worth of shopping at a time) and in bad weather.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Curious -- how is it different in NYC in terms of carrying groceries or packages without a car?

A lot more options for delivery in NYC.

[j33]

I've survived without a car in Chicago for about 6 years of my adult life. There are car sharing options and there is an online grocery delivery service called Peapodthat is nice. If you live in the gold cost, the grocery stores there deliver (I know Treasure Island on Clark just south of Division does, I used to live over by there and used it a couple of times). The grocery stores by me don't have delivery service, and I wish they did, however, Peapod isn't too bad.

[Magdeleine]

The first six years I lived here, I didn't have a car. In fact, that's the whole reason I moved here. Stick near the El; bus service is, shall we say, tempermental. The CTA claims that they'll have GPS devices on all their buses at some point to better regulate how things work, but I'll believe that one when I see it.

Peapod does good grocery service, but I mostly use them during the winter months when the idea of slogging groceries through the streets exhausts me. Get a good cart (big wheels, to deal with winter-cracked sidewalks), or shop at the Dominick's at the Fullerton El stop on the way home, and you'll be fine.

We've got two car-sharing services in town; iGo and ZipCar. ZipCar has only been here about a year and is still expanding, but thus far I've found them a lot easier to deal with; your milage may vary.

If you're not into the idea of living in yuppie/trixie central, try Ravenswood/Lincoln Square-- just make sure that you check Google Maps or some other program to make sure that the apartment in question is within a few blocks of the Brown Line (runs west from Southport to Paulina along Roscoe, then north along Ravenswood up to Montrose, then turns west and runs along Leland). I lived at Montrose/Wolcott for years-- just a block off the El station, walking distance to Jewel and Trader Joe's (@ Grace & Lincoln), all sorts of neat little restaurants around.

By the stop...

Southport is densely populated and chock-full of bars and restaurants and shopping, but the price for an apartment goes up accordingly.

Paulina/Addison is right around the strip of little shops/restaurants/bars on Lincoln Ave.; I think the apartments may be a little more reasonable than Southport, but given that this area is where Wrigleyville and Roscoe Village collide, probably not.

Irving Park/Montrose area has a more residential feel; there's some shopping/restaurants/bars along both those main streets (and it's still within walking distance of Lincoln Ave.) and, as I said, I'm partial to the area since I lived there for years. ;-)

Damen-- still very residential, but some great little coffee shops and bars and restaurants, and it's home to some of the greatest ice cream that Chicago has to offer.

Western is smack-dab in the middle of Lincoln Square, tons of shopping, but any apartment near there will probably have a longer walk to the El given that the stop is surrounded by shops.

Rockwell has a cute little shopping area; very residential.

West of that, I have no idea. Almost entirely residential, and as you go further west the neighborhoods get dicier.

One caveat about the Brown Line-- it's undergoing construction right now, so check to make sure that the nearby station is actually going to be open. For the most part it's every-other-station, excluding the biggies like Western, Belmont, and Fullerton, which will always be open. Currently:

Southport is closed, and will re-open sometime next summer.
Paulina is open, but will be closed at some point next year for construction.
Addison is closed; will re-open (theoretically) in December 2007.
Irving Park is open, but will be closed at some point next year for construction.
Montrose is closed, but will re-open (theoretically) in December 2007.
Damen is open, but will probably have construction done next year.
Western is open and will not be closed.
All stops west of Western are open and have all construction complete.

My personal advice would be to check out stuff near Addison, particularly if you'll be moving after December, since then the El stop will be open. Very close to shopping, walking distance to three different awesome neighborhoods (Wrigleyville, Roscoe Village, Southport), good access to groceries, including Trader Joe's and the awesome Paulina Meat Market. If you want something less expensive, apartment-wise, or a more residential neighborhood, head north; Montrose will be open in December, and while it's a longer walk to Trader Joe's, it's closer to Jewel (just south of Montrose/Lincoln).

Good luck!

[untuchableface]

Lincoln Square would be a good neighborhood. Just as Magdeleine said, be sure that you are by the train. The EL goes directly into the loop and is your best option, no matter which train you live by or which neighborhood you are coming from.

You really don't need a car. I have one but sometimes it's more of a hassle than a perk. Most people I know don't have cars and they get by just fine.

For groceries, use peapod.com. They deliver and are great. I've used them and they're perfect for those without transportation.

Winters are cold and windy and sometimes miserable, but you deal with it. It's not a huge deal.