Leaving Edgewater for a Brown Line Neighborhood (Chicago, Addison: apartment, houses)

[nouns]

Hello everyone!

I've been reading through the forums a lot recently, gathering information... But I'd really like some personalized advice.

We (20-somethings couple) currently live in Edgewater, and while we like our tree-lined streets, we're looking for a change. We actually considered moving to Philly or Boston (we spent time there as undergrads), but we're leaning toward staying in Chicago, since our whole lives are here and we love this city.

I think what was pulling us back toward Boston/Philly was that we miss the smallness and walkability of those cities. I think Chicago is absolutely walkable, especially within neighborhoods, but we sometimes feel like we're a bit out of the way up here and our neighborhood isn't as walkable as other communities. We're not really the "nightlife" types, but are a bit far from friends/work/etc.

Also, the aesthetic of the neighborhood. While the residential streets are beautiful and homey with interesting houses, it's really difficult walking down broadway with its lack of trees and boarded up shops. We're looking for a place with more trees and more independent shops (like some areas of Broadway). I really like Andersonville, but of course would like to be farther south.

What we'd love: cozy shops (like used bookstores, coffee/tea places, just generally funky independent shops, delicious and not-too-expensive restaurants with veggie options), a friendly feeling even when walking around at night (passersby walking around, shops open late), maybe a quiet neighborhood bar or two, green space. Like I said, we're not much for nightlife, but when I was an undergrad, I lived near Clark in Lincoln Park and I loved walking up and down that street in the evenings. Oh, and public transit (trains more than busses) a must.

I did a bit of research, and it looks like Roscoe Village, Lincoln Square, and possibly Ravenswood would be a good start? What do you all think? I'm going to take some time to explore the neighborhoods after I have a list, but I want to make sure I'm covering all the bases.

We could pay at the very most $1000 for a one-bedroom.

[Avengerfire]

Lincoln Square, North Center, or Ravenswood. Forget Roscoe Village.

[nouns]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Forget Roscoe Village.

Done! How come, though?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by nouns

Done! How come, though?

It is not that large of an area,shops are limited,and access to the Brown Line is limited.

You should probably consider West Lake View as well. For sure over Roscoe Village...

[nouns]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

You should probably consider West Lake View as well. For sure over Roscoe Village...

Oh, yeah, I totally forgot about Lakeview. That's a really good idea. And I wouldn't mind being a stop or two from Belmont, so I wouldn't have to take the train for half an hour to switch to another line... Thanks!

[Drover]

Yeah, check out the Southport corridor in west Lakeview. Brown Line stops on Southport on the 3300 block.

[Avengerfire]

I would try to stick close to the Paulina stop if you decide on West Lake View.

[Lookout Kid]

I too love the residential streets of Boston, Philadelphia, and New York. It's a development pattern that is closer to Europe than anything else in the States. Chicago and San Francisco are two of the only cities west of the Appalachians that can approximate this, but you're right in that Chicago's low-rise areas are less dense, the streets are wider, etc.

I would like to second Drover's adivice here. The Southport Corridor feels a lot like Andersonville. The residential density may be just a smidge higher, but it's comparable.

If you really want urbanized action in Chicago, check out southeast Lake View near the intersection Diversey, Clark, and Broadway. You've got the Clark Street strip going south, and the Broadway strip going north. There are some gorgeous apartment buildings in this area too.

Other options for high-density east-coast-style urban living are Lincoln Park (near Clark or by the Armitage Brown Line/DePaul area), the Gold Coast, and Old Town. Maybe Wicker Park as well.

[Chi-town Native]

shoot, you could even go a bit further along the Brown line, lots of great little nooks and crannies in there fit your bill. I'd second Lincoln Sq and North Center for your price point - Addison & Irving brown line stop would also be worth looking around.

Roscoe Village "proper" is probably not really what you want (overpriced, IMO), but if you think of Lincoln Ave as a spine, the area between Roscoe and Western has several Brown line stops close by. I love the entire stretch between Grace at the Trader Joe's and the Western Brown line stop.

[jdiddy]

I recently moved to east lakeview after spending the majority of the past 6 years in Roscoe Village, and I'm really enjoying the convenience of having so many options w/in a quick 5 minute walk. Broadway, particularly between Addison and Diversey is exactly what you're describing in terms of lots of independent shops, friendly atmosphere.

And while trains are nice and all, I've gotten used to my 20 min Lake Shore express bus commute very quickly. Fast and clean, no stinky bums.

Except for today, where I biked along the lakefront to get to work.