is lincoln park/gold coast a middle class neighborhood?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

I've just now realized that this thread will not end well.

It didn't even start well.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

If you walk around anywhere in America, most people will identify themselves as middle class no matter how much they make.

Well, of course they do. As Miss Manners once pointed out, there are only three socioeconomic classes in America: Upper-middle class, middle class, and lower-middle class. No American ever admits to being anything outside of these three.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by chitown85

Upper middle class neighborhoods would be Lakeview, Andersonville, and Wicker Park.

Goodness. I've lived in Lakeview for nearly 15 years now, and I don't consider myself "upper middle class" by any stretch of the imagination.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

The middle-class residents of Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast are the young people who are renting small apartments. There are thousands of DePaul students and entry-level earners in Lincoln Park. But anyone who owns property there is upper-middle to upper class, even if they don't choose to identify themselves as such.

It depends on how you define "property." If you're talking about a SFH on some actual land, that's probably true. But it's more than possible to own a small condo in Lincoln Park and not be anywhere near upper-middle class.

Anyone can afford to live in Lincoln Park.

[Alacran]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Goodness. I've lived in Lakeview for nearly 15 years now, and I don't consider myself "upper middle class" by any stretch of the imagination.

You're rich compared to many Chicagoans.

[prairiestate]

Yes they are. Then you have the wealthy who live in neighborhoods like Englewood and Austin, and then you have the ghettos like Mt. Greenwood and Edison Park.

[Careless]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Goodness. I've lived in Lakeview for nearly 15 years now, and I don't consider myself "upper middle class" by any stretch of the imagination.

Q.E.D., really.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

The middle-class residents of Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast are the young people who are renting small apartments. There are thousands of DePaul students and entry-level earners in Lincoln Park. But anyone who owns property there is upper-middle to upper class, even if they don't choose to identify themselves as such.

perfect post, it is not like these places are unaffordable to rent for somebody with a college degree and entry level job, plus all the money you would save on commute times etc.
But if you actually own there, or a big house size place in those neighborhoods you are probably upper middle. Dual income no kids, or roommates as many many people though is also quite easy there if you aren't looking for a lot of space. You can get studios for under 1k. Personally, I Am willing to pay a little extra for convenience and sacrifice on other things people like to have such as a car payments, car insurance, big screen tvs, iphones, lots of expensive furniture, etc.
If you are young and single, or DINK it is pretty easy to live there...I know many people living there working temp jobs, coffee places, in school, etc...it really isn't that big of a deal. paying a few hundred a month for the same space in south loop, west loop, linconl park, lake view, wicker park vs somewhere like rogers park is a no brainer if you work/school downtown everyday(and I've lived in Rogers Park)
If you are over 40ish or have kids this might get old, but for a lot of people in that 20-40 range it is preferable and certainly cheaper for a similar urban lifestyle than nyc/boston/sf