Questions about Chicago 'vibe' (neighborhoods, population, careers)

[hank0604]

Originally Posted by rickmahorn

Thanks! That's exactly the type of information I was looking for.

I don't want to come off as a cynical ******* in regards to the 'frat boys'. Hell, I love to party and watch sports just as much as anyone. Some would probably label me a yuppy as well. Most of my friends from uni in Chicago are in the LP area. I would just prefer to be around people with similar creative/intellectual interests. From everything I have heard about 'Wicker Park / Bucktown', this seems like the place I could best find my niche upon first moving to the city.

Let's ease up on the "frat boys." Fraternity alumni make up most America's Fortune 500 executives and elected officials, not to mention that the national fraternity GPA is significantly higher than the national all-men's average, while at the same time completing very high amounts of community service. Not all of us "frat boys" spend every waking minute searching for our next party.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by hank0604

Let's ease up on the "frat boys." Fraternity alumni make up most America's Fortune 500 executives and elected officials........... .

Reason enough to not ease up on them.

It's funny when the privileged take umbrage.

[Jesse69]

Frat boys - they cheated a lot in college!

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

Reason enough to not ease up on them.

It's funny when the privileged take umbrage.

What Tom said. Amazing how completely out of touch people can be - part of that whole "running the country" also means you frat folk are responsible for the mess the country is in now.

[hank0604]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

What Tom said. Amazing how completely out of touch people can be - part of that whole "running the country" also means you frat folk are responsible for the mess the country is in now.

That may be true, but it doesn't change the fact that the OP is off-base in his opinions about fraternity members/alumni.

[At1WithNature]

Chicago has a real serious/business like vibe. Especially, compared to light, fun in the sun type of cities like Las Vegas or Miami. I would almost define the vibe as threatening like there is an underlying tone of "don't mess up in this city or you can meet your maker." This is comapred to other towns that I have been to and experienced their vibe, like Charlotte or Dallas for example.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by hank0604

That may be true, but it doesn't change the fact that the OP is off-base in his opinions about fraternity members/alumni.

possibly, but I think he has a point about insularity.

[jwaiter]

You seem to like Wicker Park/Bucktown, I would also suggest looking into Ukrainian Village and East Village, both of which border the south end of Wicker Park. The whole Wicker Park/Bucktown/Ukrainian Village area was the epicenter for creative arts in the late 80's and early 90's in Chicago. The area still has some of that going on, but the rents went up and the poorer artists had to move. Many went down to Pilsen, some went to Logan Square, some are in Humboldt Park and still some went way south to Bridgeport. But the ones who could afford to stay are still here, there's still stuff going on around the area and creative people still reside here.

[jwaiter]

Also, if you went o get a feel for the vibe in these areas, visit them, walk around North Avenue, Milwaukee Avenue and Damen, then walk around Damen and Chicago avenue, stop in at Atomix on Chicago, Mercury Cafe on Chicago, the record stores... Dusty Groove on Ashland, Reckless on Milwaukee, Permanent Records on Chicago Avenue, walk down Division from Milwaukee to Damen, and a couple blocks further, you'll get a good idea of the neighborhood vibe.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

You seem to like Wicker Park/Bucktown, I would also suggest looking into Ukrainian Village and East Village, both of which border the south end of Wicker Park. The whole Wicker Park/Bucktown/Ukrainian Village area was the epicenter for creative arts in the late 80's and early 90's in Chicago. The area still has some of that going on, but the rents went up and the poorer artists had to move. Many went down to Pilsen, some went to Logan Square, some are in Humboldt Park and still some went way south to Bridgeport. But the ones who could afford to stay are still here, there's still stuff going on around the area and creative people still reside here.

well put. there's a lot of creative types in Avondale where I'm at (just north of Logan Square) as well, but we're far from a noticeable presence - which is good for us in the sense that rents/homes are reasonable, not so good in the sense that people are pretty spread out. I'm aware of a good 10 fellow "basement studio" musicians/bands within a mile or so, and I know the physical artists are mixed in as well.

you might like this, it's coming up soon:

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