Starting at UofC-- how is Near East Side? (Lincoln, Union: how much, neighborhood)

[mrjon]

I will be starting as faculty in the fall at UofC, and I'd like to live somewhere beautiful, with reasonable night life, and a tenable commute (by car) to Hyde Park. I know that these are strong constraints, but note that money is not such a concern compared with quality of life. I have been thinking that Near East Side (in particular a bldg like Aqua) fits the bill-- thoughts? A few questions to guide the discussion:

-How long, really, is the commute from Near East Side to Hyde park? I know it will vary quite a bit between rush hour and other times. Any ideas on precisely what these times are?

-How much better off would I be, commute-wise, to be a few blocks south of Millenium park, say at Sky 55, rather than north of Millenium park?

-How much night life is there on the Near East Side? I don't mind walking a few blocks, but it'd be a bit disappointing to have to drive or take public transit to get to a nice restaurant or bar.

Thanks so much!
Jon

[snoylekim]

If you drove from the 'Near East Side' ( never heard it referred to that..but don't want to turn this thread into 'what neighborhood is that REALLY ..) ..Straight shot driving south on Lake Shore to Hyde Park ... 20-25 minutes tops , weather excluded, door to door .. it's really a reverse commute , and the traffic on South Lake Shore really thins out once you pass Museum Campus/McCormick Place/I-55 ..
for nightlife, you're close enough to walk/cab to River North..cab to Lincoln Park or West Loop for nightlife /entertainment .. The area you're in has a few restaurants/bars that have opened as well . It's mostly residential , so you'll probably be leaving the immediate vicinity, but you're still pretty close..

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by snoylekim

If you drove from the 'Near East Side' ( never heard it referred to that..but don't want to turn this thread into 'what neighborhood is that REALLY ..) ..Straight shot driving south on Lake Shore to Hyde Park ... 20-25 minutes tops , weather excluded, door to door .. it's really a reverse commute , and the traffic on South Lake Shore really thins out once you pass Museum Campus/McCormick Place/I-55 ..
for nightlife, you're close enough to walk/cab to River North..cab to Lincoln Park or West Loop for nightlife /entertainment .. The area you're in has a few restaurants/bars that have opened as well . It's mostly residential , so you'll probably be leaving the immediate vicinity, but you're still pretty close..

you no doubt are right on that one. the term (and I don't think it is used very often anymore) is/was "the new east side", an identity for Illinois Center/Lakeshore East (or whatever it wishes to call itself today). the term came with the expansion of the downtown area over the air rights east of Michigan Avenue.

[chicagobear]

That location would let you take the train to Hyde Park as well since the Metra station is at Michigan and Randolph.

[Gemini1963]

Originally Posted by chicagobear

That location would let you take the train to Hyde Park as well since the Metra station is at Michigan and Randolph.

Parking in Hyde Park on weekdays, especially near the U of C, can be really terrible, so I would focus on this option (or one of the CTA buses from downtown). Metra (the train) is more expensive, but is not delayed by traffic problems or (usually) by weather.

[snoylekim]

The Metra train is not a bad choice in nice weather..but it is a 5-8 Block walk from the 59th Street Metra Station to Campus ..more of a stretch to the Medical Center Complex and new Science Labs than the Quads .. OP stated 'Faculty' ..as I recall, it was always easier for faculty to get a spot in the better parking facilities, and they've opened a few more since my era ..

[Manigault]

From the 51st street Metra station to the central campus, there is a free bus (#171) during business hours. There's also the #192 express form Ogilvie and Union stations straight to the UC medical center.

One note as to the #171: In order to navigate the narrow Hyde Park streets, the CTA uses smaller buses with fewer seats. I have seen folks passed up when the buses exceed capacity so schedule your trips accordingly.

[marothisu]

If you want to be near night life, do not go to Lakeshore East (nobody refers to it as Near East). My friend lives in aqua and while a very nice building, I still wouldn't live there because of the lack of things to do right around it. What nightlife? Its 15 or 20 minute walk to river north where the nearest nightlife is. my suggestion is to live in river north if you want this. Your commute will be a little longer but not by more than 5-7 mins. If you want not as bad a commute still with some night life then go to south loop. Seriously, loop.and lakeshore east are not places with great night life. They have some, but barely anything. River north or south loop

[Plzeň]

Originally Posted by mrjon

-How long, really, is the commute from Near East Side to Hyde park?

You'll have to explain what you mean by Near East Side. There is an East Side neighborhood in the very SE part of the city bordering Indiana, but no Near East Side, since directly east of downtown is the lake.

[Plzeň]

Originally Posted by edsg25

you no doubt are right on that one. the term (and I don't think it is used very often anymore) is/was "the new east side"

Oh yeah, I forgot about "The New East Side." There's nothing wrong with it, but if I had a thing for high rises (which I don't) and worked in Hyde Park I'd probably pick the South Loop over the "New East Side."