I get the impression alot of posters on here come from a suburban perspective (Chicago: neighborhoods, quality of life)

[Savoir Faire]

After reading some of these posts and the desciptions of certain areas, It seems many posters on here either don't understand city living or have a very little tolerance for anything not resembling suburbia.

Any large American city is going to have a gritty element and riff raff, that's city living and comes with the territoy. You're going to see homeless people, beggars, runaways, gangs, thugs, etc.. You even see this in Gold Coast. The question is whether these elements rule an entire area. Whether this is the norm and they set the tone. In most areas mentioned on this board the answer is no.

Seems like people expect every area to be like Lincoln Park or Wicker Park, sanitized quasi suburban communities. These areas are not typical Chicago. These areas are more suburban than urban. If you yearn for a Naperville like existence in the city than maybe you should check out Naperville or some small town.

[oakparkdude]

Not too surprising. Most people in the Chicagoland area live in the burbs.

[mendelman]

Originally Posted by MrBiggles

...Lincoln Park or Wicker Park...These areas are more suburban than urban.

So, 20-100 dwellings units per acre is suburban, not urban?

I guess if you consider Philadelphia a New York suburb.

[Lookout Kid]

This board is biased towards young, professional people... i.e. people who most often use the internet. Is that really surprising to you?

If your definition of urban is crime, homeless people, and grit, I really can't agree with you.

[Ron.]

Biggles, thanks for posting this!!

Originally Posted by MrBiggles

After reading some of these posts and the desciptions of certain areas, It seems many posters on here either don't understand city living or have a very little tolerance for anything not resembling suburbia.

Any large American city is going to have a gritty element and riff raff, that's city living and comes with the territoy. You're going to see homeless people, beggars, runaways, gangs, thugs, etc.. You even see this in Gold Coast. The question is whether these elements rule an entire area. Whether this is the norm and they set the tone. In most areas mentioned on this board the answer is no.

Seems like people expect every area to be like Lincoln Park or Wicker Park, sanitized quasi suburban communities. These areas are not typical Chicago. These areas are more suburban than urban. If you yearn for a Naperville like existence in the city than maybe you should check out Naperville or some small town.

[Steve-o]

Good post. I see many suburbanites rip Chicago for those very reasons. I also see many Chicagoans who rip the suburbs claiming its all "white bread, cookie cutters, and soccer moms". There are bonehead idiots on both sides of the fence.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by mendelman

So, 20-100 dwellings units per acre is suburban, not urban?

I don't disagree with most of what the OP said, but this part seems silly. If Wicker Park and Lincoln Park are quasi-suburban, what neighborhoods arent? According to these numbers ( Chicago Neightborhoods: Population & Population Density: 1980 to 2000 ), West Town (Wicker Park et. al.) and Lincoln Park have densities of 19-21,000 people per square mile. Those are 2000 numbers. That's hardly suburban.

[Savoir Faire]

Originally Posted by mendelman

So, 20-100 dwellings units per acre is suburban, not urban?

I guess if you consider Philadelphia a New York suburb.

You missed the whole point of the post. When I was mentioning suburbanite, I wasn't thinking about density, I was referring to expectations, diversity,and "Quality of Life issues". Alderman Natarus was notorious for wanting to ban street musicians, loud concerts, horses with diapers, etc... Density aside, Lincoln Park resembles many suburbs.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by MrBiggles

You missed the whole point of the post. When I was mentioning suburbanite, I wasn't thinking about density, I was referring to expectations, diversity,and "Quality of Life issues". Alderman Natarus was notorious for wanting to ban street musicians, loud concerts, horses with diapers, etc... Density aside, Lincoln Park resembles many suburbs.

I think that's true to an extent. It's a tough proposition, though. On one hand, I wish the old Maxwell St and other Chicago institutions were still around. On the other hand, while some of the things you mention are fantastic, should any city encourage gangs, panhandlers, etc?

I'm not saying "kick 'em all out!". I don't want to see Chicago cleaned up by pushing people out. Unfortunately, that's what's happening in many areas.

I am, however, saying that it doesn't break my heart that I don't live in an urban jungle filled with trash and graffiti. I'm ok with the fact that I see people picking up garbage that doesn't belong to them and walking around with their kids and generally enjoying a city that isn't completely gritty. Is that so bad?

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by MrBiggles

Alderman Natarus was notorious for wanting to ban street musicians, loud concerts, horses with diapers, etc...

Oh, and after spending a lot of time in Charleston, SC, I'm all FOR horse-diapers. There's nothing cool about horse crap. Especially in the summer.

Mark me down for MORE horse diapers, please.