West Loop or Gold Coast (Chicago: best neighborhood, apartment, lease)

[usamathman]

Hello everyone,


Need little advice. Planning to head to Chicago in next few days. Most likely going to rent an apartment on a short term lease 3 - 6 months.


I found a couple that I really like. Similarly priced. Gold Coast location has a bit more space.


First is on W Jackson (West Loop 700's)


Other is on N. Dearborn (Gold Coast 1100's)


Wondering which neighborhood you all think would be best for single guy?


Mainly looking for place that is walkable/bikeable, close to a whole foods and has some entertainment options.


Would be nice if there were a few single ladies in the vicinity.


I will have a vehicle, but will be working from home.


Thanks.


James

[theuptowner1992]

Gold Coast has withstood the test of time and has always been a beautiful place to live---close to the water, luxury shopping, fancy bars and restaurants, and very walkable/bikeable.

West Loop is more up-and-coming due to mild gentrification, especially after the demolition of the ABLA housing projects. From what I hear, it's more young family-oriented now, so probably not fit for a single.

[chicagobear]

Gold Coast all the way. You can walk everywhere from there and it's on the Red Line el, and cabs are plentiful.

[NealIRC]

Originally Posted by usamathman

First is on W Jackson (West Loop 700's)


Other is on N. Dearborn (Gold Coast 1100's)

The 700 block of west Jackson, or the 1100 block of north Dearborn.

Jackson and Halsted is Greektown, close to UIC, and State and Dearborn, is.

Well, 1 is walking distance to Oak Street Beach, which should be fun for a single guy to see women.

Originally Posted by usamathman

Would be nice if there were a few single ladies in the vicinity.

Oh uggh, do single women ever live in their own studio, condo, or penthouse?

[NOLA101]

Gold Coast, overall, is considered the best neighborhood in Chicago. West Loop isn't even in the running.

So it's Gold Coast, though there would be plenty of reasons why the West Loop might work better for you (commute, condition of building, better deal, where your friends live, etc.).

[personone]

Originally Posted by usamathman

Hello everyone,


Need little advice. Planning to head to Chicago in next few days. Most likely going to rent an apartment on a short term lease 3 - 6 months.


I found a couple that I really like. Similarly priced. Gold Coast location has a bit more space.


First is on W Jackson (West Loop 700's)


Other is on N. Dearborn (Gold Coast 1100's)


Wondering which neighborhood you all think would be best for single guy?


Mainly looking for place that is walkable/bikeable, close to a whole foods and has some entertainment options.


Would be nice if there were a few single ladies in the vicinity.


I will have a vehicle, but will be working from home.


Thanks.


James

I'd recommend the Gold Coast, especially if you are moving here for the first time. It's closer to the lake and you have all the shopping, grocery stores, and restaurants right next to you. You mentioned Whole Foods; there is a Whole Foods and Trader Joes within walking distance of the Gold Coast (although it's technically in River North). Plus, Gold Coast is a transportation hub, so it's easy to catch public transportation to any part of the city from there.

[silvertonesx24]

3-6 months, definitely Gold Coast.
Longer term, West Loop.

BTW, 700 W Jackson is West Loop Gate, not West Loop.

[marothisu]

Out of the two locations I'd pick the Gold Coast no question. The section of the West Loop you listed is pretty boring. It's close to Greektown but not a lot of nightlife and everything like you'd have access to in Gold Coast. 1100 N Dearborn is right near a bunch of things or in a location that's fairly easy to reach other areas. The whole area is pretty vibrant with a good amount of things to do, and close to the lake which is great in the summer. I'd definitely live there over 700 W Jackson, easily.

Originally Posted by NOLA101

Gold Coast, overall, is considered the best neighborhood in Chicago. West Loop isn't even in the running.

I wouldn't say that. Of course it's all preference, but to say that West Loop isn't even in the running? If you were talking about east of the interstate, then totally. That area sucks and is really pretty boring and tame. However, west of the interstate? Different story kind of. There is a lot of good stuff over there now, with a good amount having continued to open in the last few years with more good stuff opening this year.

[usamathman]

Thanks for the excellent suggestions all. I am going to go with the Gold Coast location.

[ChicagoMeO]

West loop might get deserted during the weekends. Gold Coast is always alive because of the closeness to the lake. West loop seems cold, like if you like a loft/warehouse type environment.