where is chicago's biggest artist nighborhood? (Evanston, Oak Park: real estate market, condo, home)

[chitown202020]

Does chicago have a nieghborhood that is full of artist ? I have not really noticed one where you can walk around and feel like your in an artist community. I think artist must be just spread all around chicago.

[Robert9]

Many years ago it was in a section of River North which still has some art galleries. But many artists could not afford to live there anymore and moved to River West and the near west side area. Now they cannot afford those areas for the most part.

From what I found looking it up for these days: Largely ungentrified "artsy" enclaves: Pilsen, Eastern Humboldt Park, sketchier parts of Logan Square. And Oak Park and Evanston both have really nice art districts where the artists and gallery owners live and work in the community.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by chitown202020

Does chicago have a nieghborhood that is full of artist ? I have not really noticed one where you can walk around and feel like your in an artist community. I think artist must be just spread all around chicago.

The hot artist neighborhoods right now are Pilsen, Bridgeport, and Logan Square. You're also seeing some of that group in Humboldt Park. Little Village also has a strong art scene but I'm not sure it's what you're thinking about.

[Master Jay]

I remember in the, I think it was the 1990s, when I would drive near 18th Street and Halsted and Pilsen was not looking like the same Pilsen I had remembered earlier (completely Latino, with a more gritty feel). And over the years it was becoming more developed, as well as newer and cleaner looking in that immediate area.

Pilsen has always had murals, as that is a part of Chicano culture; and of course there is the Mexican Art Museum further west by Harrison Park. For those who do not know, it is a free entrance to this art museum.

And places like Wicker Park and Logan Square were not my traditional stomping grounds. But the same is true, over the years I would hear people describe it as becoming more "hipster" and "artsy."

On another note, where is Chicago's biggest MARTIAL arts neighborhood?

[VA All Day]

South Loop has a lot because of that art college down there, though I wouldn't call that an "artist" neighborhood.

I suppose the far north side to some extent as well.

[TBideon]

Bridgeport Arts Center and Zhou Arts Center alone have dozens and dozens of studios. Plus Halsted has a few galleries spread out by there.

[CCrest182]

Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport are probably the standouts, but yeah you can likely find artists all over the city.

I would mention Wicker Park too, but that area has been becoming more upscale every year for the past decade, which typically forces some of the artist types into newer "gentrifying" areas (they've been moving to Logan Square, east Humboldt Park, and Pilsen/East Garfield Park lately).

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

I remember in the, I think it was the 1990s, when I would drive near 18th Street and Halsted and Pilsen was not looking like the same Pilsen I had remembered earlier (completely Latino, with a more gritty feel). And over the years it was becoming more developed, as well as newer and cleaner looking in that immediate area.

Pilsen has always had murals, as that is a part of Chicano culture; and of course there is the Mexican Art Museum further west by Harrison Park. For those who do not know, it is a free entrance to this art museum.

And places like Wicker Park and Logan Square were not my traditional stomping grounds. But the same is true, over the years I would hear people describe it as becoming more "hipster" and "artsy."

Yeah, Pilsen was always home to artists, though almost exclusively Mexican until probably the late 1990s when it began to enter the early gentrification stages. When people on boards like this say they're looking for an "artist neighborhood," they usually mean something that's at least partly gentrified.

[Master Jay]

BRU67, good afternoon!

Then, Pilsen sounds like THE place!

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

BRU67, good afternoon!

Then, Pilsen sounds like THE place!

Good afternoon to you also Master Jay! Yup, looks like we have a winner here. It still has some grit and a shooting or two, but enough amenities such as coffee shops, brew pubs, bistros, bike shops, etc. to satisfy an affluent progressive person as they become one with an urban art scene!

The only drawback I can see is that the luxury condo stock isn't quite there yet. This has been, in fact, vehemently and rather shrilly opposed by some community groups. And with the Ward's current Democratic-Socialist alderman, it may be awhile yet before we see that in large quantities. However, developers have been buying up existing housing stock and outfitting it with the baubles expected by the high end real estate market for quite some time, so one can probably find something very nice, though expect to pay for it. Rents are definitely not cheap there.