Which part of downtown for intern? Loop vs GC

[chicagoguy91]

Oh wow nevermind, I mixed up the address when I initially looked it up. It quite a ways away from downtown. It's in Hyde park I believe? Not preferred for my demographic I think

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by chicagoguy91

Oh wow nevermind, I mixed up the address when I initially looked it up. It quite a ways away from downtown. It's in Hyde park I believe? Not preferred for my demographic I think

Yes, 5050 S Lake Shore Drive is Hyde Park. Although Hyde Park is a good neighborhood, you won't want it for a few reasons.

Honestly, I feel like everyone ****s on the Gold Coast and most people don't really hang out here. It's really not that bad. I am not a fan of division street - it's pretty college esque which may be fine for you, but the rest of the area is in the middle of chill and upbeat. Especially in the summer, the Viagra Triangle area which is Rush, State, and Bellevue, is very lively. It is one of the "seen and be seen" areas of town for sure and celebs/sports stars go eat in the area for this reason (the food is decent in the area but nothing amazing). Even if you're not into that, the area is cool IMO and they're making it younger (it has a reputation for being a breeding ground of older rich guys and young women).

The area is where a number of fashion houses are too apart from Michigan Avenue. Prada, Ted Baker, Hermes, Barney's, etc are all in the neighborhood, but at the same time it's a mix of people. There are definitely multi millionaires living in the area but there's a lot of normal people too who have decent jobs. People who are say 25-30+ and not all like 45+ like some would make you believe. This is maybe mostly true north of Division Street but even then, I personally know a handful of people in their late 20s who live in high rises in that area.

[chicagoguy91]

Yeah that's what I hear about Hyde park. Beautiful neighborhood, but surrounding areas not so good. The way you describe Gold Coast is actually not bad at all. I've been to the triangle before and it was very lively indeed. I just didn't know it was always like that.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by chicagoguy91

Yeah that's what I hear about Hyde park. Beautiful neighborhood, but surrounding areas not so good.

Kenwood to the north is not bad, but the problem is that (a) the train doesn't go directly through Hyde Park and (b) there's not a ton to do for a typical 20s college kid.

The way you describe Gold Coast is actually not bad at all. I've been to the triangle before and it was very lively indeed. I just didn't know it was always like that.

When it's nice out it is. In the winter, the businesses around there are still lively, but people are hanging outside on the triangle as you could probably guess. The one south of there is kind of new.Not lively yet, but some people but I'm sure it will be sometime.

[chicagoguy91]

Just finished visiting both places. Wow tough call. The south loop option is a nicer apt building and has an Xsport downstairs!! Which is the gym I'm currently enrolled with. On the other hand, the GC location is ideal for going out. It's like I'm deciding do I wanna live by the gym and cab to the scene or live by the scene and public transport to gym since I won't have a car. Anyone know a good full gym near the gc location? The in-building fitness center will not do justice. This might be the deal breaker. I hate to sound like a meathead but fitness and working out is important to me I think it'd be easier to cab when I go out 2-3 times a week than public transport to the gym daily. Unless I find a good alternative gym

[It'sAutomatic]

Originally Posted by chicagoguy91

I think I dig the manhattan comparison for the Gold Coast. I'll look into the west loop, however, I'm not really looking for "chill."

"Chill" is relative. I was saying the West Loop is more chill than the Gold Coast. Compared to the South Loop, it's easily more happening, as there are more established nightlife areas already in Greektown and Randolph Street.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by chicagoguy91

Just finished visiting both places. Wow tough call. The south loop option is a nicer apt building and has an Xsport downstairs!! Which is the gym I'm currently enrolled with. On the other hand, the GC location is ideal for going out. It's like I'm deciding do I wanna live by the gym and cab to the scene or live by the scene and public transport to gym since I won't have a car. Anyone know a good full gym near the gc location? The in-building fitness center will not do justice. This might be the deal breaker. I hate to sound like a meathead but fitness and working out is important to me I think it'd be easier to cab when I go out 2-3 times a week than public transport to the gym daily. Unless I find a good alternative gym

You don't have to compromise any of that if you live in the GC. Gold Coast is possibly the densest area of town. People work out too...

1) There is an FFC in the Gold Coast at 1030 N Clark. That is 0.1-0.2 miles from the places you looked at. It's literally right around the corner.

Fitness Formula Clubs - Near North Side - Chicago, IL


2) There is also another FFC at 1235 N LaSalle (Fitness Formula Clubs - Near North Side - Chicago, IL) which is 0.3 miles from these places you were looking at in the GC.

3) There is also a big Equinox at 900 N Michigan Avenue (Equinox - Near North Side - Chicago, IL) which is 0.4-0.5 miles away.


If you are 100% for XPort, then there is one in Old Town a little less than a mile from these places you looked at too (XSport Fitness - Near North Side - Chicago, IL)

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by It'sAutomatic

"Chill" is relative. I was saying the West Loop is more chill than the Gold Coast. Compared to the South Loop, it's easily more happening, as there are more established nightlife areas already in Greektown and Randolph Street.

There is a mix in the Gold Coast. There is both high energy and chill for sure. Here's an example of chill places in the Gold Coast:

* Le Colonial - Near North Side - Chicago, IL (2nd floor lounge/bar)
* The Drawing Room - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* Bernard's Bar - Near North Side - Chicago, IL (don't know why the map is so weird on this one. It's at State & Walton basically)
* Cru Kitchen and Bar - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* Little Market Brasserie - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* Argo Tea - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* Le Bar - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* The Pump Room - Near North Side - Chicago, IL (busy but still chill IMO)
* Bistrot Zinc - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* The 3rd Coast - Near North Side - Chicago, IL

and more.