Moving to Chicago, North Center area, advice ?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Since when is North Center some walled off white bread enclave? The way most people draw artificial lines around what is / is not "culturally diverse" you'd think somebody is telling the OP they'd be probably better off just staying wherever they currently live and taking advantage of DeVry's extensive online course offerings ...

You need to go sleep it off or something.

[CCrest182]

Originally Posted by Carson9

Though I love North Center and think it's very lovely, diverse wouldn't be a description that comes to mind when I think of the area.

I saw some hispanics walking around and her neighbor is middle eastern, to my knowledge .

[elanmorin25]

I would definitely check out Logan Square and Bucktown. Newer places in Bucktown are expensive but if you're willing to live in an older building you can definitely find something in your budget there if you look around on Craigslist etc. One good thing about Logan Square and Bucktown is parking on the street is relatively easy to find, especially compared to Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, etc.

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by Drover

You need to go sleep it off or something.

North Center's residents are about 70% white. Certainly majority white, but not exceedingly. And while the residents are majority white, the actual foot traffic through North Center is quite diverse. The area draws people from right across the river (Irving Park and Albany Park) where the white percentage drops to roughly 25%.

Is North Center white bread? Not entirely. Is North Center diverse? Also not entirely.

[ToriaT]

I personally would stick with North Center. Its a really nice neighborhood and safer than some of the other suggestions that are being made here. Any place in the city will most likely be more diverse than most suburbs. I would not worry about that. I would definitely keep a car. Being car less in Chicago especially with kids is not fun in the winter.

[Carson9]

Originally Posted by elanmorin25

I would definitely check out Logan Square and Bucktown. Newer places in Bucktown are expensive but if you're willing to live in an older building you can definitely find something in your budget there if you look around on Craigslist etc. One good thing about Logan Square and Bucktown is parking on the street is relatively easy to find, especially compared to Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, etc.

Bucktown has become super expensive. Good luck finding a decent 1/2 bedroom for $1200-$1500.

I see rent prices in the area and am shocked at how much they've gone up in the past couple years.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

North Center's residents are about 70% white. Certainly majority white, but not exceedingly. And while the residents are majority white, the actual foot traffic through North Center is quite diverse. The area draws people from right across the river (Irving Park and Albany Park) where the white percentage drops to roughly 25%.

Is North Center white bread? Not entirely. Is North Center diverse? Also not entirely.

It's actually closer to 80%. No matter how you slice it, North Center is overhwelmingly white. IF you're moving to Chicago to experience diversity, IMO it doesn't make sense to spend an overwhelming amount of your time in a place that is overwhelmingly one race, the combination of which will produce a situation where an overwhelming proportion of your interactions are going to going to be with people of that one race, I'm assuming the same race as the OP. It sort of defeats the OP's stated purpose.

[Bkcorso]

Here is an update on two locations that we are really looking at. We will be keeping the car, and with the close proximity to the lake, my daughter and I will be able to take advantage of the biking/running trails together and still be able to walk into other areas for adventures. Within a couple blocks of either of these listings will be ideal.

Real Estate & Homes For Sale - Zillow

5910 N Sheridan Road, Chicago IL - Walk Score

Everyone's input has been extremely valuable, and we appreciate it !

[Bardot]

Don't rule out Lincoln Square necessarily, the area around Winnemac Park (just south of Foster) is surrounded by plenty of affordable apartments. The area closest to the square is always teeming with parents and their toddlers too. But, I would definitely cover Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, and North Center in your search.