Considering relocating to Chicago from NYC, looking for Neighborhood info (Lincoln: safe area, to live)

[khasan122]

Originally Posted by pureistheword

Born and raised in NYC, moved to Chicago in March. One of the best decisions I ever made.

That's really great to hear! Makes me feel more confident about my decision. I may PM you to get some info.

Originally Posted by gladhands

THIS. Lakeview is definitely more Wicker Park. Linclon Park is like a cross between Brooklyn Heights and the central part of the Village (between, say, Broadway and 7th ave).

I'm flying into Chicago next Friday to start scouting neighborhoods so i'll stop by all the recommended neighborhoods. However, you said "Lakeview is definitely more Wicker Park"- what do you mean by that exactly? I'm not sure if i'm reading that right

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback and help!

[Kmanshouse]

Wicker is more granola/artsy but also has trendy spots. It's a cool spot and if I was under 30 that's probably where I'd go, but that's me. Bucktown is due north of Wicker and borders it to the point it's hard to tell where Wicker ends and Bucktown begins, but Bucktown is a little more 'tony' and less 'flannel'. I like it a lot.

West Town is to the south of Wicker, and again, the border is gray for a bit as you go south and then West Town feels more gentrifying, read, not quite as put together. As a result, West Town is pretty hot right now as the place to get in before it changes too much. It's a tad more rugged, but still a safe area.

If you look at West Town, I'd not get too close to Humboldt Park - that area has improved a ton but is still rougher. Used to be very rife with Latino gang bangers. Real estate people will call homes near Humboldt as West Town, but I'd stay several blocks east of there despite the improvement.

The previous posters' comments on Lakeview are right on the money. Perfect, actually.

Note that while my initial answer was Lincoln Park, that was more on a healthier budget - it's where I'd live if money were not an object. Love it. But note the clientele is mostly well off.

You may also want to explore Old Town. Pretty good mix of people, leaning younger. Closer to the lake, in the heart of two great places to see comedy. The stretch on Wells north and south of North Ave is a great area.

[khasan122]

Question:

I'll be in Chicago next Friday and Saturday to survey neighborhoods. Which L station would be closest to the following neighborhoods?

1) Wicker Park
2) Bucktown
3) West Town
4) Lake View
5) Lincoln Park
6) Logan Square


Google maps can be a little confusing in terms of borders for these specific neighborhoods. My plan is to get off at each respective L station and start to walk around and check out the area. Thanks!

[Vlajos]

1) Wicker Park - Damen and Western stops on Blue Line
2) Bucktown - Damen and Western stops on Blue Line
3) West Town - Chicago and Division stops on Blue Line
4) Lake View - Addison and Belmont stops on Red Line, Southport on Brown Line
5) Lincoln Park - Fullerton on Red Line, Armitage on Brown Line
6) Logan Square - Logan Square on Blue Line

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by khasan122

Question:

I'll be in Chicago next Friday and Saturday to survey neighborhoods. Which L station would be closest to the following neighborhoods?

1) Wicker Park
2) Bucktown
3) West Town
4) Lake View
5) Lincoln Park
6) Logan Square


Google maps can be a little confusing in terms of borders for these specific neighborhoods. My plan is to get off at each respective L station and start to walk around and check out the area. Thanks!

1) Wicker Park - Blue Line Division stop at the southeast end or Damen right in the middle.
2) Bucktown - Blue Line Damen in the middle or Western Ave stop (northwest edge)
3) West Town - Blue Line Chicago or Division stops
4) Lakeview - Red Line (Belmont, or Addison stops); Brown Line (Diversey, Wellington, Belmont, Southport, Paulina; Addison and Irving Park stops are on the boundary of Lakeview and North Center, reachable by NW section of Lakeview); Purple Line (Diversey, Wellington, Belmont).
5. Lincoln Park - Red Line (North & Clybourn, Fullerton); Brown Line (Armitage, Fullerton, Diversey); Purple Line (Armitage, Fullerton, Diversey)
6) Logan Square - Blue Line Western Ave, California, Logan Square


If you get on the Purple Line at all, get off at Belmont, otherwise you'll be on an express train to Evanston. It may be easier to just avoid getting on the Purple line if you're unfamiliar.


The Red and Brown Lines run on the same line between Fullerton and Belmont. They arrive/depart at the same platform and you can transfer between the two at those stops.


-Diversey is the boundary between Lincoln Park and Lakeview.
-North Avenue is the boundary between Bucktown and Wicker Park, but many people consider it one area.
-Western Ave is the boundary between Bucktown or Lincoln Park and Logan Square.
-Bucktown is separated from Lincoln Park by the Chicago River/Kennedy expressway.

[khasan122]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

1) Wicker Park - Damen and Western stops on Blue Line
2) Bucktown - Damen and Western stops on Blue Line
3) West Town - Chicago and Division stops on Blue Line
4) Lake View - Addison and Belmont stops on Red Line, Southport on Brown Line
5) Lincoln Park - Fullerton on Red Line, Armitage on Brown Line
6) Logan Square - Logan Square on Blue Line

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

1) Wicker Park - Blue Line Division stop at the southeast end or Damen right in the middle.
2) Bucktown - Blue Line Damen in the middle or Western Ave stop (northwest edge)
3) West Town - Blue Line Chicago or Division stops
4) Lakeview - Red Line (Belmont, or Addison stops); Brown Line (Diversey, Wellington, Belmont, Southport, Paulina; Addison and Irving Park stops are on the boundary of Lakeview and North Center, reachable by NW section of Lakeview); Purple Line (Diversey, Wellington, Belmont).
5. Lincoln Park - Red Line (North & Clybourn, Fullerton); Brown Line (Armitage, Fullerton, Diversey); Purple Line (Armitage, Fullerton, Diversey)
6) Logan Square - Blue Line Western Ave, California, Logan Square


If you get on the Purple Line at all, get off at Belmont, otherwise you'll be on an express train to Evanston. It may be easier to just avoid getting on the Purple line if you're unfamiliar.


The Red and Brown Lines run on the same line between Fullerton and Belmont. They arrive/depart at the same platform and you can transfer between the two at those stops.


-Diversey is the boundary between Lincoln Park and Lakeview.
-North Avenue is the boundary between Bucktown and Wicker Park, but many people consider it one area.
-Western Ave is the boundary between Bucktown or Lincoln Park and Logan Square.
-Bucktown is separated from Lincoln Park by the Chicago River/Kennedy expressway.

Extremely helpful, thank you!

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by khasan122

Extremely helpful, thank you!

Good luck!

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by khasan122

That's really great to hear! Makes me feel more confident about my decision. I may PM you to get some info.



I'm flying into Chicago next Friday to start scouting neighborhoods so i'll stop by all the recommended neighborhoods. However, you said "Lakeview is definitely more Wicker Park"- what do you mean by that exactly? I'm not sure if i'm reading that right

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback and help!

That was a mistake. I meant to say that Lakeview is more like Murray Hill.

[khasan122]

So this is a far stretch - but i'm currently in Chicago now (in Lincoln park area) I just got done with work, and wanted to see if anyone wanted to grab a bite and or get some drinks after? I'm 24 if that matters. Let me know!

[Alacran]

Originally Posted by khasan122

So this is a far stretch - but i'm currently in Chicago now (in Lincoln park area) I just got done with work, and wanted to see if anyone wanted to grab a bite and or get some drinks after? I'm 24 if that matters. Let me know!

Wish I would of seen this earlier.