Help with information on Chicago. Considering a move- crime/areas to live etc (Naperville: fit in, how much)

[OKParker]

Originally Posted by jvr789

Ironically I feel that living in downtown Oak Park or Evanston (the lively suburbs) would have more of an urban vibe than living in a neighborhood like Ravenswood. The actual boundaries of the city of Chicago are massive which is somewhat different than Seattle as a city. Literally you can live on the northside of Chicago and be 30+ minutes drive from downtown Chicago. On the flip side you can live on the southside of Chicago which touches the Indiana state line!

6 miles from the core of Seattle puts you in the suburb of Bellevue, WA. 6 miles from the core of Chicago puts you someplace like Graceland West (top of Southport Corridor).

The downtowns in Oak Park/Evanston are pricier than OPs budget.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by OKParker

The downtowns in Oak Park/Evanston are pricier than OPs budget.

I also would like to know what the OP means by "hipster" and "beta." Chicago is going to be pretty much as bourgeois and progressive as the coastal cities in the toniest areas, especially in places like Evanston and Oak Park. Bridgeport and other historically working-class neighborhoods might better suit the OP's desire for Midwest masculine men (that's my impression of their desired type).

Originally Posted by newintown89

Also dating. Most of the guys in this area are very hipster or have beta type personalities which is not what I am used to, nor what I like. If you meet a guy who lives in Seattle they will want you to travel to Seattle every time you meet and will not want to leave the city, which I find a little weird. I prefer men who are much more rougher around the edges!

[brodie734]

Yeah, I think it depends on what the OP wants from a dating scene. There's a socio-economic factor at play... anywhere in Chicago that skews upper middle class will be filled disproportionately with educated and/or high income guys who largely self sort into hipster or nerd/gamer subcultures. If you want a guy who is very into traditional gender roles or performative acts of cultural conservatism like loudly proclaiming their love of red meat, you likely need to consider dating down the socio-economic latter somewhat from where you seem to be. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but it's true enough for me to throw it out there.

[SkylarkPhotoBooth]

Originally Posted by Di3s3l_Pow3r

Lincoln Park is a good option

For "rough around the edges" and $900-1300 for a 1br? I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but that is one of the worst neighborhoods in the city for those parameters.

[SkylarkPhotoBooth]

I would look at Humboldt Park, Pilsen, and Bridgeport.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by brodie734

Yeah, I think it depends on what the OP wants from a dating scene. There's a socio-economic factor at play... anywhere in Chicago that skews upper middle class will be filled disproportionately with educated and/or high income guys who largely self sort into hipster or nerd/gamer subcultures. If you want a guy who is very into traditional gender roles or performative acts of cultural conservatism like loudly proclaiming their love of red meat, you likely need to consider dating down the socio-economic latter somewhat from where you seem to be. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but it's true enough for me to throw it out there.

I'm not sure that's the most accurate description. I would guess most people that self sort into a hipster or nerd/gamer subculture are more likely to be found in places like Pilsen, Logan Square, Humboldt Park, and maybe even Bridgeport.

She may find more "type A" personalities, sure, in blue collar professions, but also in professions like finance, accounting, consulting, engineering, lawyers, doctors or sales/marketing or maybe even some tech roles. I'd probably say this group would self sort into Lakeview, Lincoln Park, River North, South Loop, West Loop, Bucktown/Wicker Park, North Center, and Lincoln Square.

Of course, some of these groups may overlap neighborhoods from each of the above paragraphs, but it kind of mirrors what I've seen in my experience.

Given the OP's preferences to be in more of a suburban setting, the suggestions on Evanston and Oak Park may have a blend of type A and type B personalities.

[Kmanshouse]

My daughter has a decent studio in Ravenswood for $1,000/month.

But I agree, not sure that's the best neighborhood for someone wanting an active social life. It's more laid back, surprisingly lots of families.

Rougher around the edges with stuff to do, while still staying in/near the city at that budget. Maybe try Philly?

In Chicago, that might be Bridgeport, Avondale, West Town/East Humboldt?

[personone]

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

My daughter has a decent studio in Ravenswood for $1,000/month.

But I agree, not sure that's the best neighborhood for someone wanting an active social life. It's more laid back, surprisingly lots of families.

Rougher around the edges with stuff to do, while still staying in/near the city at that budget. Maybe try Philly?

In Chicago, that might be Bridgeport, Avondale, West Town/East Humboldt?

Yes, Chicago definitely has plenty of blue collar culture mixed. The problem is, as you mentioned, the nightlife isn't as prominent, although that might be fine. Lots of people like more low-key social stuff (local bars/ hangouts). The neighborhoods you mentioned are a good place to start. I would also throw in the Tri-Taylor/ University Village/ Little Italy / Near West Side/ maybe even gentrified parts of Pilsen. Edgewater may also fit the bill.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

I'm not sure that's the most accurate description. I would guess most people that self sort into a hipster or nerd/gamer subculture are more likely to be found in places like Pilsen, Logan Square, Humboldt Park, and maybe even Bridgeport.

She may find more "type A" personalities, sure, in blue collar professions, but also in professions like finance, accounting, consulting, engineering, lawyers, doctors or sales/marketing or maybe even some tech roles. I'd probably say this group would self sort into Lakeview, Lincoln Park, River North, South Loop, West Loop, Bucktown/Wicker Park, North Center, and Lincoln Square.

Completely disagree. You've got hipsters, nerds, and gamers all over the city. There are so many 20-something "gaymers" on the north side that it might blow your mind.

I think I'm pretty "type A," but I am hardly "rough around the edges," as the OP put it. You're a lot less likely to find me at a dive bar than at a River North club. I wouldn't be caught dead in an 'Irish' tavern. Despite my somewhat conservative bent, I imagine the OP would consider me a so-called "beta." But, she hasn't expanded on it, so I don't really know what she means.

Originally Posted by personone

Yes, Chicago definitely has plenty of blue collar culture mixed...Edgewater may also fit the bill.

You must be joking?

[brodie734]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

I'm not sure that's the most accurate description. I would guess most people that self sort into a hipster or nerd/gamer subculture are more likely to be found in places like Pilsen, Logan Square, Humboldt Park, and maybe even Bridgeport.

She may find more "type A" personalities, sure, in blue collar professions, but also in professions like finance, accounting, consulting, engineering, lawyers, doctors or sales/marketing or maybe even some tech roles. I'd probably say this group would self sort into Lakeview, Lincoln Park, River North, South Loop, West Loop, Bucktown/Wicker Park, North Center, and Lincoln Square.

idk

I work in finance, this is probably the best place to find a real type-A, ex-frat type. You seem to be correlating "alphaness" with income, but I know plenty of lawyers and doctors and tech/engineering types and they aren't at all stereotypical dudes. I also don't know that Lincoln Square or North Center really work that well, aren't those areas increasingly families?

As to Ravenswood for someone wanting a social life... you can walk to Lakeview from Ravenswood and it only takes like 35 minutes.