Why is Logan Square so cewl? (Chicago, Skokie: renting, HOA fees, condo)

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I do think there are lessons to be learned.

Like Tom said, back in the day the really cool folks did not give the appearance of caring what others thought. It was less about money than attitude -- think Steve McQueen , not the parade of fake "reality" stars spawned by low budget cable networks...

The lemmings flocking to "hot" neighborhoods and then just as quickly the "next big thing" leaves them all looking elsewhere.

With the lightening fast spread of infomation the speed with which things goes from "hot" to "not" will likely whipsaw businesses and property owners that cannot remake themselves quickly enough.

To be fair, gentrification inflicted neighborhoods generally don't go from "hot to not" like an unwashed pair of skinny jeans. They basically become more and more affluent and lose their lower income residents and the businesses which don't appeal to the newcomers (or which can't appeal enough to keep up with the increasing rents). Why people almost always equate that to "uncool" is an interesting discussion, probably for another thread.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by BRU67

To be fair, gentrification inflicted neighborhoods generally don't go from "hot to not" like an unwashed pair of skinny jeans.

Exactly. Old Town was "cool" in 60/70's in a way that it isn't today, but it's still a good area. Wicker Park was "cool" in the early 90's, Ukrainian Village/West Town was "cool" in the 2000's, and they're doing fine today. I can't think of any areas that have backslid in the 30 or 40 years.

Basically the city has been seeing a slow growth in gentrified areas for a few decades now, and the areas that are in the process of gentrification have new places opening up that are pretty much in line with current trends. Which I guess is what makes the "cool".

I also have to say that I see a hell of a lot more people judging other people for looking "cool" than people who give any thought to it.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by BRU67

With people starting to refer to it as "cewl" I too fear it's jumped the shark, from a hipster perspective anyway, LOL! As to why it's so darn cool, well, here's a link which might help explain that:

Let Me Google That

This well understood urban process will also shed light on what probably will happen there over the next 10 years. Hint -- it'll be more expensive but probably not as cool.

Hard for me to take anyone seriously who spells it as "cewl", and then goes off on a rant about "sterile Naperville"--just a little too predictable.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by MassVt

Hard for me to take anyone seriously who spells it as "cewl", and then goes off on a rant about "sterile Naperville"--just a little too predictable.

In the 50s and early 60s it was cool to spell it kool. Krazy kats.

[jonnynonos]

Basically the kids are creeping up Milwaukee. As long as young people who can't afford a lot in rent continue to move here it will continue to happen.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Attrill

I also have to say that I see a hell of a lot more people judging other people for looking "cool" than people who give any thought to it.

Indeed. Cue:


Fasttimes at Ridgemont High - Damone attitude scene - YouTube

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

In the 50s and early 60s it was cool to spell it kool. Krazy kats.

Like, take the train to Squaresville ( Naperville, etc), daddy-o. It's like, the most, man.

You can be hip, and still observe the rules of spelling. You dig the scene?

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by Attrill

I also have to say that I see a hell of a lot more people judging other people for looking "cool" than people who give any thought to it.

This is a really good point.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Indeed. Cue:


Fasttimes at Ridgemont High - Damone attitude scene - YouTube

Hey, you just don't know Damone!

[Chi-town Native]

Lowering the bar for cool would be this buncha NIMBYs:

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