Kenwood vs Portage Park (Short-Term) (Chicago, Addison: apartment, transporting, movers)

[brinegar312]

Gang -- I don't want to explain all of the circumstances that led up to this, but I have a very short period of time to choose between W Waveland/Addison/Austin neighborhood of Portage Park and the LSD/48th neighborhood of Kenwood. As I am relocating from Seattle without a job lined up, this is just a temporary move (3 - 6 months max) to get rid of my car and get more familiar with the city. There will be 2 of us in this move and neither of us wants to rely on my auto for transporting around town. Which of these two options do you think would give me access to more bus/transit options? I know Belmont is supposed to have a 24 hr bus and the Kenwood 'hood I am not too sure about. I understand the NW side is supposed to be more friendly...is this true? I have lived in Boston, so I have the street smarts, but the other party involved is coming from a rural area and I don't know about exposing him to too much too quick...know what I mean? OK..other than this one issue in comparing the two areas: how about some other comparisions:

-crime
-demographics
-shopping
-anything else

Thanks a bunch.

[Manigault]

Kenwood is most often considered the more expensive region of Hyde Park. You should check out some of the (numerous) threads on this board discussing the area.

[jdiddy]

If those are the options, I choose Kenwood without thinking twice.

[Avengerfire]

Portage Park hands down.

[Drover]

The two areas give completely different snapshots of the city. Kenwood, or at least the portion you're looking at, has a more "big city" atmosphere to it with courtyard-type apartment buildings and even a few high-rises and what-not, but it still doesn't have much in the way of dining, entertainment and nightlife options. Meanwhile, most of the rest of Kenwood is very upscale with single-family houses on huge lots worth several million dollars, occupied by the likes of University of Chicago professors and major movers-and-shakers like Barack Obama. Opulent, but boring.

Then there's Portage Park. It has even less entertainment and nightlife options than Kenwood, and feels more like a dense inner suburb than an urban neighborhood. It has no highrises, nothing more than 3 stories tall, lots of modest single-family homes, 2-flats, 3-flats, and the occasional 6 or 9-unit three-story walk-up. This might be a little more comfortable for easing your rural friend into an urban environment.


That said, you'll have considerably better access to transit options in Kenwood. Addison/Austin is WAY out there, not really close to much of anything. It would take forever to schlep into town on the Belmont bus from out there.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Drover

The two areas give completely different snapshots of the city. Kenwood, or at least the portion you're looking at, has a more "big city" atmosphere to it with courtyard-type apartment buildings and even a few high-rises and what-not, but it still doesn't have much in the way of dining, entertainment and nightlife options. Meanwhile, most of the rest of Kenwood is very upscale with single-family houses on huge lots worth several million dollars, occupied by the likes of University of Chicago professors and major movers-and-shakers like Barack Obama. Opulent, but boring.

Then there's Portage Park. It has even less entertainment and nightlife options than Kenwood, and feels more like a dense inner suburb than an urban neighborhood. It has no highrises, nothing more than 3 stories tall, lots of modest single-family homes, 2-flats, 3-flats, and the occasional 6 or 9-unit three-story walk-up. This might be a little more comfortable for easing your rural friend into an urban environment.


That said, you'll have considerably better access to transit options in Kenwood. Addison/Austin is WAY out there, not really close to much of anything. It would take forever to schlep into town on the Belmont bus from out there.

I guess this post was more helpful than mine and Avengers. To add on, Kenwood has Washington Park, Jackson Park and the Lakefront trail in close proximity. And the location on Lake Shore Drive will allow for reasonable cab fare back home if you restrict the nightlife to South/West loop/Near north areas (maybe cheaper than Portage Park to the North side night life).

[nap]

I lived in Portage Park for more than 25 years, and wouldn't hestitate to move back. Great access to the expressways and public transportation.

[cuteazz1]

I just left Hydepark/Kenwood. I did not want to leave.The area is nice.Plenty of nice homes and small cafe's.Transportation is great.

There are not many options for groceries..A very nice produce market with organic meats and the Treasure Island.

This area is very mixed and I loved that...I can't comment on Portage park except that it is more "slow" and less "city like."