Best bustling neighborhoods with character (Chicago, Lincoln: gym, moving to, bill)

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by marothisu

1) Argyle Street - Basically Little Vietnam, off the Red Line Argyle stop in Uptown. Bunch of stores, markets, and restaurants. This is right near Andersonville (which has a handful of middle eastern places itself, but it's not falafel/schwarma shops usually...real restaurants).

Actually, one of the best little falafel/schwarma shops I've been to is Taste of Lebanon on Foster just west of Clark. Right across the street from Middles Eastern Bakery. Both are awesome and super cheap.

I always get the lentil soup and a falafel, it's like $5 combined.

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by Ashplowe

Prelude, lucky you! But a January move? You must really be a true Chicagoan. :-P Though the weather hasn't been too bad up there lately.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I've narrowed down my search to most likely Lakeview, Logan Square or Wicker Park but I'll have to walk all these neighborhoods first before I know for sure.

I did walk through a bit of Ukranian Village and it struck me as really residential and quiet. Is it just that the vibe of neighborhoods in Chicago are really different than those in DC? Sad that there's no AdMo equivalent but I guess something different has the potential to be equally awesome. :-)

Also when I was there I think I analyzed everything from the perspective of a car-less person but I'm definitely planning on owning a car in Chicago, so maybe that would affect the appeal of the different neighborhoods.

I have been in DC for 4 years, I am ready to leave this city and return to Chicago. Winters here are not nearly as bad as some make it out to be, though they are def worse than DC.

Ukranian Village is a fairly quiet residential neighborhood, though it is close to a lot of other vibrant areas, and Chicago Ave. is vibrant. If you are looking to be a bit closer to the action, I would go with Wicker Park or Lakeview, both of which are more vibrant than Adams Morgan, or at least as vibrant over a much larger area.

To give you a bit of a DC-Chicago neighborhood comparison, I would break it down like this:

Lakeview - Think of Arlington with a baseball stadium (Wrigley Field), though Lakeview looks nothing like Arlington, the crowds and ages are similar.

Lincoln Park - Not really a exact comparison, but I would compare LP to Georgetown somewhat. Both have a University in the neighborhood (DePaul Univ.) and both are two of the wealthier areas of their city. Lincoln Park has a larger nightlife scene than G'town, but doesn't have a retail strip like M Street or Wisconsin (though there is plenty of shopping in LP). A comparison could also be made between Lincoln Park and DuPont Circle.

Wicker Park - Adams Morgan + Logan Circle; lots of restaurants and bars; good mix of different types of people. Great public transit access.

River North - I honestly don't think DC has an area like River North, the closest would probably be 7th street in Chinatown, though River North is probably like 25x larger of an area.

If you are a foodie at all, let me say that you will be upgrading big time in the restaurant department, though DC is getting better, their food scene is light years behind Chicago.

I know these are not exact comparisons, but this will give you an idea of what each neighborhood is like.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Actually, one of the best little falafel/schwarma shops I've been to is Taste of Lebanon on Foster just west of Clark. Right across the street from Middles Eastern Bakery. Both are awesome and super cheap.

I always get the lentil soup and a falafel, it's like $5 combined.

Yeah, that's true. The place is really good. There's a great Middle Eastern market up there too! Reza's for Persian food is solid as well.


Also, FYI if you like Lentil Soup, the best I've ever had in the US was at Mediterranean Grill & Cuisine in Lincoln Square. It's more of a sit down place but pretty casual. The soup was on par with the soup I learned how to make from a really good cooking school in Istanbul last year. Really good.

[jwaiter]

edgewater/rogers park

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by prelude91

Lakeview - Think of Arlington with a baseball stadium (Wrigley Field), though Lakeview looks nothing like Arlington, the crowds and ages are similar.

Lakeview is a big area, so partially yes I agree, partially no I disagree. The areas around Southport, Wrigley Field, some of the Brown Line only stops like Wellington, I agree. Belmont stop is a little different I'd say, but definitely mixed in those types of people. Also Lakeview East has a better mix of people as does West Lakeview. Boystown definitely does not remind me of Arlington..

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

edgewater/rogers park

Uptown as well.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yeah, that's true. The place is really good. There's a great Middle Eastern market up there too! Reza's for Persian food is solid as well.


Also, FYI if you like Lentil Soup, the best I've ever had in the US was at Mediterranean Grill & Cuisine in Lincoln Square. It's more of a sit down place but pretty casual. The soup was on par with the soup I learned how to make from a really good cooking school in Istanbul last year. Really good.

Thanks for the tip, I've by that place and never been tempted. I will definitely try it.

Reza's is pretty good, have you tried Chicago Persian Restaurant - Authentic Persian Cuisine - Middle Eastern Food - Mediterranean Dining - Noon-O-Kabab?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Thanks for the tip, I've by that place and never been tempted. I will definitely try it.

Reza's is pretty good, have you tried Chicago Persian Restaurant - Authentic Persian Cuisine - Middle Eastern Food - Mediterranean Dining - Noon-O-Kabab?

Np. Good place, at least last time I went.

I have heard of Noon-O-Kabab but never been in there. I will have to check it out. Looks good. I want to try Semiramis too. I've been slacking on my going to new restaurants lately...

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Np. Good place, at least last time I went.

I have heard of Noon-O-Kabab but never been in there. I will have to check it out. Looks good. I want to try Semiramis too. I've been slacking on my going to new restaurants lately...

Forgot about Semiramis, I've heard it's really good.

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Lakeview is a big area, so partially yes I agree, partially no I disagree. The areas around Southport, Wrigley Field, some of the Brown Line only stops like Wellington, I agree. Belmont stop is a little different I'd say, but definitely mixed in those types of people. Also Lakeview East has a better mix of people as does West Lakeview. Boystown definitely does not remind me of Arlington..

Correct. I am speaking in generalities.