Moving to Chicago can be a daunting task, especially if you are searching for affordable housing and kid-friendly neighborhoods. It can be very difficult to know where to look, and neighborhood guides may not tell the whole story. I have lived in Chicago over a decade now and definitely have my own opinion on which neighborhoods are better than others. The following are my picks for the best neighborhoods in Chicago.
One of the best picks for a family friendly neighborhood for me is Edgewater, on the far north side of Chicago. It is somewhat of a college neighborhood, with Loyola University Chicago and Northwestern University on its outskirts. It’s also a diverse neighborhood, with many ethnic groups as well as age groups calling it home. One thing I like about it is that it has lots of ethnic shops and book stores. It also has somewhat affordable housing. Unfortunately for those who want a white picket fence and a front yard, you won’t find it in Edgewater. Edgewater’s housing options are either condos or apartments. Both condo and apartment prices are market rate. For families with young children, the lack of play spaces can be a problem, and the public schools are better than most, with Edgebrook elementary close by. Since Edgewater is on the northern tip of Chicago, it is best suited for those who work in the northern suburbs. Those who work downtown, however, face an hour commute each way.
Another neighborhood that I consider one of the best in Chicago is the Beverly neighborhood on the city’s South Side. Traditionally an Irish neighborhood, Beverly is one of the few neighborhoods that offers the front yard and sing family home as living options. Before the recent real estate market downturn, Beverly was much more expensive than its adjacent neighborhoods. Now, house prices have fallen significantly. If you want to buy there, buy now. The drawbacks about this neighborhood are its lack of diversity and its lack of decent public schools. Also, the commute to downtown can run around 45 minutes each way.
Finally, the neighborhood I consider the best in Chicago is the Hyde Park neighborhood on the city’s mid-south side. It has diverse culture, diverse age groups, and various options for housing. Though single family housing is very expensive and hard to obtain compared to adjacent neighborhoods, condos and apartments are plentiful and relatively affordable. The thing that isn’t, however, is parking. Street parking is a big challenge, and most residential buildings in the area do not have parking lots. Two solutions to this dilemma: opt for a small car, and don’t move it until street cleaning time! Traffic through the neighborhood is often slow and congested. Be sure to watch for students with their noses in books. For families, Ray elementary school is a very good elementary school, and there are plenty of tot lots and playgrounds in the area. Hyde Park also has some neat small shops and great are bookstores. The one thing it lacks is big box retail, though that might arrive in the near future. The commute to downtown is about a half hour each way, though express buses and Metra are other viable commuting options. Crime has been a problem, but it is improving with a double patrol provided by the University of Chicago police.
