Does Chicago have its own "silicon valley"? What neighborhoods do my fellow nerds live in? (Lincoln: schools)

[mavzz89]

I'm not even sure how to describe this, but since I'll be new in the city as a not-so-young-but-still-kinda-young 30-something, I was hoping to see where my fellow tech geek/board game folk/gaming folks hang out? Not sure if a community like this even exists but the fact that it's Chicago means it might.

I'm single, so don't care about schools or raising a family yet, but definitely looking to see if there's a neighborhood where I can meet new, geeky/nerdy friends.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by mavzz89

I'm not even sure how to describe this, but since I'll be new in the city as a not-so-young-but-still-kinda-young 30-something, I was hoping to see where my fellow tech geek/board game folk/gaming folks hang out? Not sure if a community like this even exists but the fact that it's Chicago means it might.

I'm single, so don't care about schools or raising a family yet, but definitely looking to see if there's a neighborhood where I can meet new, geeky/nerdy friends.

Not really, and thank God we don't. Those places are really expensive. I put the idea of moving to Austin out of my head about a decade ago for this very reason.

There are places you'll like. There's a pretty sweet LGS called Dice Dojo on Broadway up in Edgewater. There's at least one D&D group that meets Sundays at Logan Arcade (Fullerton/Western). That place is worth going to on its own. Only working Robotron arcade machine around me that I know of.

There's more, those are just the spots I've hit up.

[flamadiddle]

Not sure about gaming, but I'd say River North or maybe Lincoln Park. 1871 borders River North.

https://1871.com/

https://www.builtinchicago.org/2016/...rators-chicago

[raleightransplant]

Originally Posted by mavzz89

I'm not even sure how to describe this, but since I'll be new in the city as a not-so-young-but-still-kinda-young 30-something, I was hoping to see where my fellow tech geek/board game folk/gaming folks hang out? Not sure if a community like this even exists but the fact that it's Chicago means it might.

I'm single, so don't care about schools or raising a family yet, but definitely looking to see if there's a neighborhood where I can meet new, geeky/nerdy friends.

I'd say this crowd is spread throughout the city in various neighborhoods. That said--Look along the northwest branch of the blue line, and notably Logan Square. I'm not a tech geek, but used to work a functional (training) role in software, and now recruit in that space independently. I have many friends who fit this description that live in Logan Square.

[fusillirob1983]

This seems like it's looking for two different types molded into one.

I'd say the areas most resembling "Silicon Valley" would be West Loop followed by River North.

I think those referring to nerd types/board game/gamer types might fit the Logan Square mold.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

i think those referring to nerd types/board game/gamer types might fit the logan square mold.

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*rolls perception*


They see us. Hide!

[emathias]

A lot of tech workers in Chicago are either into beer or whiskey.

This bar tends to be pretty heavy with tech workers:
https://www.hqrivernorth.com/

Otherwise, check out Meetup events - the tech community has a number of those and once you meet a few people going to those, you can just sort of network your way through the community to see where they are. That said, I don't think it's nearly as concentrated as Silicon Valley - Chicago has one of the most diverse metro economies in the country, and while there's some sorting by industry, there's a lot of mixing, too.

[Warsie]

isnt that the fulton market area?