Best neighborhood for a late 20's couple w/ dog? (Chicago: apartment, neighborhoods)

[dukejeff]

My wife and I will be moving to Chicago soon and want to know where to target our apartment hunt. We can spend up to $3500/month on an apartment. We would like to be close to restaurants, a dog park, and in an area that is a good place to walk the dog and jog. I have been considering Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown, and Wicker Park, but please give me input on whether I should expand or contract my list.
We would like to have only one car, so access to public transportation is important. I will be working downtown and she will be working at a hospital, but we are not sure where. We would like to avoid a high-rise or an especially loud, rowdy, or seedy neighborhood. Any advice is appreciated.

[cotyan]

I'm no Chicago expert (I live in the suburbs of ATL and am moving to Chicago in the summer of next year) but if you go to DreamTown.com you can see video of the Chicago neighborhoods. It sounds like, from my own research, you're looking into some of the neighborhoods I would suggest (based on what little knowledge I have) but I just love that site, you really get a feel of the vibe imo of each neighborhood.

Good luck with your move!

[dukejeff]

Thanks Cotyan,

That site looks excellent and is exactly the kind of resource that I have been searching for.

[jessiegirl_98]

Wow, so basically, you can live in any area of the city with that price range. As a dog owner, however, I would stick within about 3 blocks from a dog park.

Here you go:
1. Challenger Park—1101 W. Irving Park Rd.
2. Churchill Park—1825 N. Damen
3. Coliseum Park—14th & Wabash
4. Grant Park—Columbus Drive & 9th Street
5. Hamlin Park—3035 N. Hoyne
6. Margate Park—4921 N. Marine Dr.
7. Montrose Beach—Wilson Street & the Lake
8. Park No. 511 – 630 N. Kingsbury
9. Park No. 546 – 450 E. Benton Place
10.Park No. 551 – 353 N. DesPlaines
11.River Park – 5100 N. Francisco Ave.
12.Walsh Park—1722 N. Ashland
13.Wicker Park—1425 N. Damen
14.Wiggly Field—2645 N. Sheffield


There are a lot of good areas, but numbers 13 and 14 are in Lincoln Park and Wicker Park which would meet your criteria.

[Avengerfire]

If you want to avoid an "especially LOUD, ROWDY, or seedy neighborhood" you should avoid most parts of Lincoln Park and Wicker Park.

I would say go for Lincoln Square or Ravenswood.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I would say go for Lincoln Square or Ravenswood.

Yep - I'd add Andersonville to those two as well.

[jessiegirl_98]

Only issue is the lack of dog park in those places you mentioned.... I was just suggesting places closes to dog parks.
You can generally find parking at many of them if you have a car, just depends on your preference

[dukejeff]

Thanks for the input. What areas of Lincoln park would be good to avoid? Is it just rowdy close to DePaul or are there other adjacent areas that should be avoided. I would like to be able to take public transportation to work, so proximity to downtown is important to me. I have heard good things about Andersonville, Lincoln Square, and Ravenswood, but all look like they are 35-45 minutes from work on public transportation.