Gold Coast vs West Loop vs River North (Chicago, Lincoln: condos, neighborhood)

[ar169]

I found a reasonably priced studio at $1.4k in gold coast, which I liked. But I had initially been looking for the West Loop area or River North.

I was wondering if someone can compare these areas, if you are familiar with these and also let me know if I can find something in a better place with a <$1.5k budget.

[Windy5555]

West Loop is a bit quieter in my opinion. Much easier to drive in if you are bringing a car. River North and Gold Coast are way more crowded, a lot more going on, more tourists. I'd go for a walk in each and see which meshes best with you.

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by JohnWestTown

West Loop is a bit quieter in my opinion. Much easier to drive in if you are bringing a car. River North and Gold Coast are way more crowded, a lot more going on, more tourists. I'd go for a walk in each and see which meshes best with you.

Yes,

Agree with this assessment. West loop has a completely different feel than the other two locations. If you are looking to be around people go with River North or Gold Coast. Closer proximity to a variety of restaurants and shopping. If you are looking for a bit more of a laid back feel while still being close to the action, go with west loop.

BJB properties has some units in all three areas that would fit your budget. Nothing fancy, but decent for the price.

[Haaamburger]

I think West loop Is unique lots of up and coming things best restaurants more laid back.rsndolph street is really cool Fulton market district lots of history.

I think River North and gold coast is more families and to many tourist suburbinites. It is also I believe less social people are hiding behind the blinds in there million dollar condos only communication with inner circle.

[SubconsciousMe]

We looked at Streeterville, Gold Coast, River North, West Loop, and South Loop when we moved. We opted on a fantastic building in the South Loop due to the proximity to lots of CTA (transit score:100 / walk score: 98) and amenities/basic needs. We opted to not move to the other buildings we saw because basic needs were more difficult to get done at the buildings we were looking at. It also seems like a more approachable neighborhood without as much money that people only talk to their inner circle with. Not sure if any of this made sense... but we work, we work hard, and want to enjoy dining and not spending too much time to get groceries, etc.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by SubconsciousMe

We looked at Streeterville, Gold Coast, River North, West Loop, and South Loop when we moved. We opted on a fantastic building in the South Loop due to the proximity to lots of CTA (transit score:100 / walk score: 98) and amenities/basic needs. We opted to not move to the other buildings we saw because basic needs were more difficult to get done at the buildings we were looking at. It also seems like a more approachable neighborhood without as much money that people only talk to their inner circle with. Not sure if any of this made sense... but we work, we work hard, and want to enjoy dining and not spending too much time to get groceries, etc.

I have quite a few friends /co-workers who've opted for places in the South Loop and you are spot-on when it comes to "basic amenities" -- the developers and even Chicago zoning officials worked hard to get the densities correct to be able to support the kinds of convenient access to Jewel / Whole Foods / Target as well as connections to the CTA. That said, though there are some nice restaurants and local-ish spots to hang out and get a drink those are still harder than in other areas mentioned. Of course for folks who really want to be able to stroll into a dozen or so really top notch dining spots they'll have to accept the congestion of others taking Lyft to West Randolph St area, or folks who put big night-spots as their top priority will put up with kids hanging out at the mega chain restaurants in River North, or folks who really want the upscale feel of the Gold Coast also share their neighborhood with hordes of tourists...

The relative "walk score" of all those areas is almost certainly quite similar, and depending on one's needs to access Midway vs ORD it is likely that some folks really prefer the transit options of one area over the other...

For lots more people the "feel" of areas like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, or areas even a longer El ride from the main business center of Chicago to places like Wicker Park and Bucktown are well worth the trade-offs -- the sorts of pluses in those areas are frankly CONSIDERABLY HARDER to duplicate as much because of the relative maturity of gentrification / development as due to the scale and "organic" nature of how those areas developed vs the more "politically driven" efforts to reuse formerly non-residential parts of the city... In the list given the fact is that only the Gold Coast has a long history of desirability for residential uses.

I hesitate to say that redevelopment of Streeterville, River North, West Loop, and South Loop has been "inauthentic" but I would suggest that since the OP has previously asked about the challenges of getting to work that is apparently near Randolph & Canal //www.city-data.com/forum/50340046-post4.html there are huge pluses with staying nearer to the West Loop, which all things considered is most similar to the South Loop...