My love/hate relationship with Chicago... (Addison, Lincoln: apartment, condo, neighborhoods)

[Ron.]

Many of you have seen some of threads about Chicago.

Well today it will not be one of those threads.

I live in LkeVw. and for the first time I went exploring the Southport area and boy did I fall in love with the area. This was the first time I actualy had time to just get out and walk the "hood". What a fantastic area I live in.

I was sitting at the DQ eating my ice cream and I thought "WOW....I could live over here forever and be really happy". Of course I'd be really happy once I am able to move downtown, which is my favorite place in Chicago.

I never knew Southport was so commercial, it was like being in a small town but in the heart of the city. All kinds of shops and eateries.

I found a nice shoe repair shop and I found one of my favorite stores, "Uncle Dan's".

I told myself I just need to stay focused on my business and soon I'll be able buy a loft/condo in the area of downtown.

If I could do one of those......I'd forever love Chitown.


Kudos to Southport!

[surlycue]

Ron, where were you living before, the moon? Southport has been hopping for quite sometime. Though most of the street caters to a more upper class crowd, I can't seem to afford anything in the boutiques at least. I do love the Chicago Kids bookstore and would rather shop there than Borders/B&N any day. Southport Grocery on SP and Addison has great brunch on the weekends, if you can handle the wait and amazing cupcakes anytime. Shulas just did an indie art fair last week which brought out some of the neighborhood's more artsy residents. Sheil Park also has classes all year round for adults and kids. I was looking at an apartment last year right off the El above Mystic Celt or whatever but I couldn't stomach $1400 for a 2bdrm even with parking included.

[Ron.]

No, I was not living on the moon. I work full time as well as I am starting a business. I am very busy and don't have much time to "hang out" and enjoy things.

Originally Posted by surlycue

Ron, where were you living before, the moon? Southport has been hopping for quite sometime. Though most of the street caters to a more upper class crowd, I can't seem to afford anything in the boutiques at least. I do love the Chicago Kids bookstore and would rather shop there than Borders/B&N any day. Southport Grocery on SP and Addison has great brunch on the weekends, if you can handle the wait and amazing cupcakes anytime. Shulas just did an indie art fair last week which brought out some of the neighborhood's more artsy residents. Sheil Park also has classes all year round for adults and kids. I was looking at an apartment last year right off the El above Mystic Celt or whatever but I couldn't stomach $1400 for a 2bdrm even with parking included.

[ajolotl]

I love that area, having been going to the Music Box as long as I can remember. Like most city neighborhoods I do business in, it has become much wealthier and more vibrant over the years. I hope some more of that vibe spreads south of Cermak one day.

[surlycue]

Time to stop & smell the roses. Life is too short. Head over to Blue Bayou on a Thursday night around ten to watch a free burlesque show from our local vaudezilla girls. If you feel compelled to spend money get an icy cold abita and tip the ladies heartily.

[Lookout Kid]

Hmmm... I personally think you've exposed a total ignorance of the North Side city. But since you now sound like a total newbie, I'll throw in some newbie advice. If you like Southport, you might try these popular yuppie commercial strips:

Damen Avenue in Bucktown
Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park
Division Street on the Wicker Park/Ukranian Village border
The area around the Armitage Brown Line Stop
Clark Street in Andersonville
Roscoe in Roscoe Village
Wells Street in Old Town
Broadway in Lakeview between Stratford and Diversey
Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square

That only scratches the surface.

[Ron.]

I say a total ingorance of LV.

Thanks for the list.

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Hmmm... I personally think you've exposed a total ignorance of the North Side city. But since you now sound like a total newbie, I'll throw in some newbie advice. If you like Southport, you might try these popular yuppie commercial strips:

Damen Avenue in Bucktown
Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park
Division Street on the Wicker Park/Ukranian Village border
The area around the Armitage Brown Line Stop
Clark Street in Andersonville
Roscoe in Roscoe Village
Wells Street in Old Town
Broadway in Lakeview between Stratford and Diversey
Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square

That only scratches the surface.

[Lookout Kid]

You know what Ron, I think I had you cofused with the perpetually annoying poster Ronnie Jonez. I apologize for the slightly rude tone of that post. You weren't the person I was frustrated with.

[Ron.]

Oh, that's ok. I know I have posted some nasty stuff due to my own frustrations about Chicago.


No problem at all. But you are correct, I was unaware of the many offerings of Lakeview. I would not say it is ignorance, at least not in the tone you expressed.


Ron

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

You know what Ron, I think I had you cofused with the perpetually annoying poster Ronnie Jonez. I apologize for the slightly rude tone of that post. You weren't the person I was frustrated with.

[HCC]

Yep, if you're idea of a great way to spend an afternoon and great ice cream is Dairy Queen--Chicago, Lakeview/Southport or wherever IS definitely your kinda town. You're already in the right place so enjoy it!

To everyone else...it was my experience in the 5 years I lived in Chicago that many people were not familiar with areas even just blocks from where they lived. A colleague, who lived in E Lakeview, thought North/Clybourn was a scary, run down, ghetto area.