Moving from UK - Young professional - where to live?

[Torriano]

Hey chicagocubs

Ha - yeah - thought I'd leave the specifics of the debate to the experts - I was a little confused...! But lots of good advice there too.

Thanks for your input - Islington is pretty diverse, though pretty gentrified these days (hence wicker park thoughts?) - so Logan square may well be a great comparison, thanks.

And I'm def keen on keeping track of the football (real football, played with the feet... ;-) ), but sure there's bars showing games.

Cheers for everyone's help.

James

[Magpie1127]

I'd recommend Wicker Park or Old Town for you. I'm familiar with London, and I think Islington is a good comparison to parks of Wicker Park and some areas of Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park, however, is too … what's the word? … crazy for me. A lot of college kids live in the area, and just north of Lincoln Park is Lakeview, which is proliferated with a lot of American post-grads who get ridiculously drunk before and after baseball games during the summer. I'm only 24, but I've found that there are just as many bars/restaurants/social options in Wicker Park, but without the annoying behavior (not that WP doesn't have its share of annoying hipsters - it does. But I prefer hipsters to drunk frat boys, myself). Wicker Park is also more aesthetically pleasing than 75 percent of Lincoln Park and Lakeview because its gentrification occurred more recently.

As for the Streeterville/Near North/Gold Coast area, it's great … but it lacks the sense of neighborhood/community that you said you're looking for. It is primarily 30-somethings, which is good for you, but it generally lacks character. There are beautiful homes, but also a lot of high rises.

Walkability is obviously a consideration, but you'll be fine in any of these neighborhoods because of El service. Restaurants/shops/bars/groceries are within walkable distance of all of these neighborhoods, as well.

Let me know if I can help any further - welcome to Chicago!

Funnily enough, I'm considering a move to London next year for a graduate program I was accepted into. Maybe I'll be asking you for recommendations later.

[Torriano]

Hi magpie

From everything I've read, that seems like a really good summary of those areas - thank you. I agree with your point of view entirely! Thanks for your help. And if I can help with London (Londoner born and bred), just let me know.

Cheers
James