Another 'where to live' question, but with a twist. (Chicago: neighborhood, living)

[cosec]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Good morning to all.

I'm wondering, how often are the parents going to visit? I mean, if it's 1 to 5 times a year, you would NOT get a place in East Lake View that you like, because it's close to a gay community, for THEIR sake?

Well then, why NOT live in West Ridge in an Indian community for THEIR sake, for when they come to visit their 1 to 5 (or however many times)?

How about Albany Park? Diverse. Not too high energy with clubs. Close to the Brown Line. Far "enough" from Andersonville and the former BoysTown, and close enough to West Ridge if your parents want to see an Indian community in their sons town..

Point noted. Well I am not choosing specificaly for them per se. I just need a decent place for a year. I would figure out the city by the time the lease ends. Or maybe sooner. Its not so hard and fast rule for me, just asking for a general guideline of the city neighbourhoods. Last time I was here, I wasn't able to dive deep down into the city and the culture, as much.

[cosec]

Originally Posted by eb23

I gotta ask about winters. Like proper continental winters and their impact on a street parked bike and your desire to mount it in the morning.

I'm from Sydney and we have plenty of your folk in here.. My observation is that people from your part of the world don benies when it is 60(16C) and call it freezing when the temp drops to 50(10C)...

Yeah... its true. What can I say, can't do much. Its in the genes, still gotta try stuff .

[cosec]

Originally Posted by G in MP

Cosec, Chicago is gay everywhere the nice areas are, so you'll have to deal. But, if you want to avoid the most gay-centric areas, that's boys town (now renamed northalsted) and andersonville. If you want the least gayest areas, those tend to be the crappiest areas to live in too...I don't recommend those.

Spot on. Exactly what I needed to understand !

[cosec]

Originally Posted by OKParker

Halsted and Roscoe feels like the perfect spot for OP if no one has recommended it yet.

haha, got called out myself by the Master.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by cosec

Thanks.

Well, its more like, not for me but for my parents and the impression it would form, when they visit. Mind you I am coming from literally the other side of the world. It's a bit hard to explain this kind of stuff to people of that culture. Its still going to take 20 years, in my town, for this stuff to get normal.

So, I am not a PC guy particularly and still not old enough to be as mature as I would want to be. So I try to keep myself out of trouble, lest if I give some arguemntative idiot an earful and cause a scence.
Its a whole 'from the other part of the world' issue.

Thank you for the explanation. Actually, it makes sense... to me, at least. And, I somehow guessed you were Indian from this post!

I think the poster recommending Halsted and Roscoe was trying to be funny. That intersection is pretty much "Ground Zero" for the gay male community.

As another poster mentioned, there are visible gays pretty much everywhere in the nicer parts of Chicago. But in most instances they're just part of the overall diversity, they don't dominate those areas. No one will assume you're gay just for living in those areas.

[cosec]

Guys, G in MP pointed out the main theme, that I was not aware of.

And as a general rule of thumb, it can be considered, nicer areas = not deserted? Not saying crappy areas can't be crowded too, but lets stick to the subject.

Nobody mentoined these areas below. What about it ?

West Loop
Little Italy
Greektown
River West
Noble Square
Wicker Park
Bucktown

[cosec]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Thank you for the explanation. Actually, it makes sense... to me, at least. And, I somehow guessed you were Indian from this post!

I think the poster recommending Halsted and Roscoe was trying to be funny. That intersection is pretty much "Ground Zero" for the gay male community.

As another poster mentioned, there are visible gays pretty much everywhere in the nicer parts of Chicago. But in most instances they're just part of the overall diversity, they don't dominate those areas. No one will assume you're gay just for living in those areas.

Thank you.

Well the "Ground Zero" was a gotcha !

I am getting the picture now. See them anywhere doesn't mean spread out everywhere, they have their own pocket as their major lay of the land. Got it.

All I was wanted from inputs here was, 'don't put me around gay people'. As the only nice place similar to Old Town I saw last time, was Lincoln Ave .

[Monarkman]

Avoid at all costs. The city is very antagonistic towards allowing responsible law abiding citizens to excersize The inalienable right of self defense via the 2nd Ammendment, yet in this gun free environment, it has some of the highest crime in the USA.

[Don Cuccino]

Originally Posted by cosec

Guys, G in MP pointed out the main theme, that I was not aware of.

And as a general rule of thumb, it can be considered, nicer areas = not deserted? Not saying crappy areas can't be crowded too, but lets stick to the subject.

Nobody mentoined these areas below. What about it ?

West Loop
Little Italy
Greektown
River West
Noble Square
Wicker Park
Bucktown

West Loop is a nice area, lots of Indian Americans live in that area. Lots of restaurants. Area around Fulton Market is very lively, it gets quieter as you go a few blocks south and west. Greektown is part of West Loop. I'd avoid Wicker Park if you don''t want a rowdy nightlife scene.

[Willpetdogs]

Originally Posted by cosec

Point noted. Well I am not choosing specificaly for them per se. I just need a decent place for a year. I would figure out the city by the time the lease ends. Or maybe sooner. Its not so hard and fast rule for me, just asking for a general guideline of the city neighbourhoods. Last time I was here, I wasn't able to dive deep down into the city and the culture, as much.

It sounds like you really like Old Town/Gold Coast. Why not just focus on that area? It's near the Farmer's Market, Lots of restaurants, a transportation hub. Budget might be a little tight, but since it's only for a year....