Best way to get to know the neighborhoods??

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by Plzeň

That person likes shade?

I can't think of any Chicago neighborhood that doesn't have trees. The difference is that some residential areas have nice big old-growth trees, while more dense areas (like downtown and near downtown) and commercial corridors tend to have smaller trees (except in parks), because there's really no place for big trees to go. My guess is that the person who made this recommendation likes areas that are a little less dense and a little more residential/suburban feeling.

Seems fair enough. I'm a sucker for old-growth, tree lined streets. There's nothing like riding my bike under a canopy of trees.

[williepotatoes]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

The word Chicago obviously includes the whole city. The city can generally be explored without a car.

You said "You can't explore Greater Chicago without a car." Greater Chicago tends to mean well beyond the city, and into the suburbs, which is where your profile indicates that you live and where people are more likely to need a car.

These are two completely different things.

Greater Chicago says nothing about "beyond Chicago" and nothing in my post says anything about the suburbs. The term is used as a comparative to a section, neighborhood or location in Chicago. As in "the south side is more gritty and industrial than greater Chicago as a whole". The term Chicagoland is the go to terminology for the metro area. That term is wildly popular here out here in the suburbs and in most forms of Chicago media.

And yes you can explore the city without a car in a practical manner if you're limiting yourself to a few destinations or you have a lot of free time. It depends on what your objectives are.

[TBideon]

As I wrote in an a Bridgeport post a few minutes ago, the best way to see the city is visit an indy coffee shop, then walk around the neighborhood from there.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by gomexico

Take a public bus to the area, or a taxi. Then walk. Then on to the next area, and repeat steps. Over and over. Start with daytime visits. If you don't like it during the day, no need to re-visit at night.

This is good advice.