Where to move in Chicago?! (Lincoln: neighborhoods, living, restaurants)

[USFgoBULLS08]

My brother and I are looking to move to Chicago summer of 2010. I know everyone will have different opinions, but I just wanted some opinions of what you all think would suit what we are looking for best.

My brother is 27 and I'm 22. He's a bartender, and as of now I'm also in the hospitality industry. I'm graduating with my Management degree in the summer and would like to try a new city out. We would like to be in a location that is convenient for him in the hospitality industry while also for me, who will be in the business profession. Since we are still young with no families of our own we would like to be close to a good night life, but not a scary part of town, obviously we would like something safer vs not. We would be looking for a 2 bedroom, our budget is around $1300, give or take. We would prefer neighborhoods closer to downtown to get the full effect of Chicago living. Any suggestions??

Thank you all for helping!

[lincolnparker]

old town, gold coast, lincoln park, lakeview, bucktown

[cd771]

I think you get the full effect of Chicago living from the neigborhoods, not downtown.

I've lived in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Old Town and Bucktown. Of those Wrigleyville and Bucktown are by far my favorite. Wrigleyville is a bit further from downtown but was a blast when I first moved to the city in my early 20's. Bucktown/Wicker Park is artsy and also has alot of bars/restaurants/shops like Wrigleyville. Lincoln Park was ok but didn't have the vibe that the other two had. Old Town was all families and I was single at the time I lived there. While the Art Fair was fun I got the feeling singles and apt dwellers weren't exactly welcome additions to the neighborhood. Maybe it was just me. Gold Coast was mostly either older folks with money or tourists. I was single when I lived there also and everyone I met seemed to be from outside of the city.

Good luck.