Where do you live and why do you love it? (Chicago: fit in, apartment)

[Tribeca]

Where in Chicago do you live and why do you love it?

[supernerdgirl]

I live in Edgewater. I can walk two blocks to the train, two to the lake, two to Dominick's (although I won't go there again - i would rather walk a couple more blocks to Jewel since they pander a little more to those of us that don't have cars). My bank is a little bit further of a walk - it's about 8 blocks away. I can see the sunrise and sunset from my apartment.

The biggest things, however, are having the lake and the train so close by.

[jessiegirl_98]

I'm in Tampa for the year (BIG SIGH... back in Chicago in August!), but most recently I lived in West Lakeview and LOVED IT! I had a huge coachhouse that was the same price as my apartment when I lived downtown, was close to the bus and el, close to a dog park, I could easily street park for free, and I had tons of good restaurants and bars closeby. I also lived close to Scooters Frozen Custard (which I love...just had to add that), as well as the YMCA and library. I was also only 2 blocks from Jewel.

[Drover]

Irving Park. I don't love it but it's a reasonable compromise between what I want (quick access to my favorite hot spots) and what I need (affordability and minimal distractions as I'm a full-time student). All I really had to give up to gain the latter was to be willing to spend an extra 20 minutes traveling by bus or train to my favorite spots, mostly North Center/Lincoln Square and Bucktown/Wicker Park when I need to go to those places. It's quiet, it's safe, it's cheap, there's elbow room (lots are wider here), and in the grand scheme of things, it's pretty convenient. And I could easily see myself buying in this neighborhood when it's time to consider a family, so it wouldn't even involve much of a lifestyle adjustment.

[user name]

I'm in Keeneyville (Roselle) on an acre and a half of wooded property. It's quiet, dark and I have friends over for bonfire parties in the nicer weather and am planning another if it gets to the high 20's soon. I'm a mile and a half to the train which makes for a 45 minute ride downtown. Schaumburg is right here with it's Woodfield mall and I'm a mile from the Stratford Square mall, several golf courses, country clubs, resorts and forest preserves. Plenty of nightclubs, restaurants, etc.
You can keep the city life, have fun with finding parking and the thieves.

[AQUEMINI331]

Hyde Park. It's expensive but worth it IMO. It's a diverse neighborhood, many educated people due to the U. of Chicago being right in the neighborhood. Doesn't really have too much in the way of public transit, but I think the people (as well as the beautiful old buildings and proximity to the lake) is what makes Hyde Park so great. Before I lived here, I lived in Bronzeville, I enjoyed that neighborhood too. I kind of wish I still lived over there - it was cheaper, public transit was better, and the neighborhood is improving every day as more and more professionals move into the area, having been priced out of the North Side and the Loop.


_

[doublesuited77]

west lincoln park. have the conveneice of the clybourn corridor, yet still have a 2-car garage and lots of value for your dollar. my townhouse would be 200K more if it was just 4 block east.

[KevK]

I live in Atlanta and I love it because it will be 61 degrees today (Chirstmas Day). I did live in Edgewater in Chicago and I loved it because I had a view of a great city skyline. I also lived in Rogers Park and I liked the people there and they mostly fit in with my liberal politics (except on the issue of guns) and they were friendly.

[mariolatry]

I lived in Lincoln Square for 8 years and loved it (had to leave last year for husband's job). Beautiful architecture and tree-lined streets but great restaurants, a movie theater, and the brown line all within walkable distance. Very safe too.

[gichicago]

Lakeview (Irving Park and Braoadway for 2 years) - Nice, quiet, close to the beach and had a good mix of folks, restaurants, and a few bars (mainly sports bars). I felt the most relaxed here than my other two places.

Wrigleyville (Addison and Clark 1 year) - Great bars, and Wrigley field, so no complaints, though it did get a bit noisy at times.

Gold Coast (Cedar and Rish 2 year) - Lived practically across the beach, so summertime was a blast. More affluent than the other two, but there was a great mix of restaurants in the immediate area. It was also nice being close to Old town, and Michigan ave wasn't too far away.