Best Chicago Neighborhoods To Move To

chicago skyline

If you’re thinking of moving to Chicago, you’re in for a treat. The Windy City is home to some of the best neighborhoods in the country. From the Loop to Wicker Park, there’s a place for everyone to call home.

Whether you root for the Chicago Cubs or the White Sox, Chicago has a neighborhood to fit you. Here we’ll talk about dining, shopping, schools, museums, and the general vibe of each neighborhood.

 

Food Scene in Chicago

 

Chicago is known for two main dishes: Deep dish pizza and Chicago hotdogs.

Chicago deep dish pizza is unique in that there are sliced tomatoes and tomato sauce on top of the cheese, and typically needs to be eaten with a fork and knife.

Chicago Dogs are an all-beef frankfurter, poppy seed bun, topped with green relish, chopped onions, yellow mustard, tomato wedges, a pickle, some sport peppers, and some celery salt to top it off. You will never see a Chicago Dog with ketchup!

Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S., which makes it a great location to try different cultural foods. The diverse neighborhoods in Chicago will allow you to try anything from delicious dim sum in Chinatown to stuffed cabbage in Ukrainian Village. Downtown Chicago hosts many upscale dining options if you’re looking for a nice night out with a view of the Chicago skyline.

 

Chicago Sports  

Baseball

Chicago is a great place to be if you’re a sports fan. The city is home to two MLB teams, the Cubs and the White Sox. The White Sox won the World Series in 2005, and the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 – the first time since 1908! The win by the Chicago Cubs following the World Series drought caused the city to be alive with celebration. You will find friendly banter between the fans of opposing teams. You’ll find more Cubs fans on the city’s north side of Chicago and more Sox fans on the city’s south side.

 

Football

The NFL’s Bears also call Chicago home. The team won the Super Bowl once, in 1985. They play their games at Soldier Field, which is also where the MLS’s Chicago Fire plays. You will find Soldier field on the south side of the city.

 

Basketball

Chicago is also home to the NBA’s Bulls. The team has won six championships, most recently in 1998. They play their games at the United Center, which is also home to the NHL’s Blackhawks. The famous Michael Jordan played with the Bulls for 13 seasons.

 

Hockey

The Chicago Blackhawks have won six Stanley Cups, most recently in 2015. They are one of the “Original Six” NHL teams. Hockey is very popular in Chicago, and you will find the United Center filled with fans. Chicago Blackhawks fans even travel to away games often, and sometimes you’ll see more Blackhawks fans in the stands than the home team!

 

Soccer

Chicago also has an MLS team, the Chicago Fire. They play their home games at Soldier Field. This team is named after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, which killed hundreds of people and burned 17,000 structures. The University of Illinois at Chicago’s athletic teams are called The Flames, also in commemoration of the fire.

 

Chicago Public Transportation

Chicago has one of the best public transportation systems in the country. The “L” is the city’s elevated train system, running 24 hours a day. The “L” can take you anywhere you need to go in the city. If you don’t want to take the train, you can always take a bus. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates over 1,800 buses that cover 140 routes.

If you’re looking to save some money, you can always take advantage of Chicago’s Divvy bike sharing system. For $99 a year, you can get unlimited 30-minute rides. Downtown Chicago is also growing in its reputation of being more bike-friendly than it used to be.

If you’re moving to Chicago, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the city’s public transportation system, as parking can be expensive, and traffic is a known issue.

 

The Best Neighborhoods

The Loop

The Loop is Chicago’s downtown business district. It’s home to some of the best restaurants and shopping in the city. If you’re looking for a high-powered job, this is the place to be. But it’s not all work and no play. The Loop is also home to some of the best museums and cultural institutions in the city, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Lyric Opera House, and the Field Museum.

The Loop has some great high-rise apartments and upscale apartment buildings, but you’ll find increased housing costs to go with it.

The Loop has many high rises and is excellent for public transit. It’s home to some of the city’s best shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Loop is great for Chicago residents with high energy who prefer a central location.

 

Wicker Park

Wicker Park is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Chicago. It’s home to hipsters, artists, and young professionals. There are many great shops and restaurants, and the nightlife scene always has something going on. Wicker Park is a neighborhood with a lot of personality. You will find that this Chicago neighborhood has more expensive real estate than other neighborhoods, with lots of coffee shops and independent boutiques.

 

Logan Square

Logan Square is another active Chicago neighborhood with lots of artists and trendy restaurants. It’s a bit more affordable than Wicker Park, but it’s still close to the action. Here you will find the historic Logan Theatre, a historic movie theatre that is now being used as a bar and hip hangout spot. Logan Square is perfect for residents who want a little more space without sacrificing convenience. You will also find Logan Square is home to a few art galleries.

 

Pilsen

Pilsen is a neighborhood with a lot of character. It’s home to a large Hispanic population and has a lively arts scene. Pilsen is also home to some of the best Mexican food in the city. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican cuisine, this is the place to be. Pilsen is a great place to live if you’re looking for diversity and culture.

 

Lakeview

Lakeview is one of the most popular and vibrant neighborhoods on the north side of Chicago. It’s home to great shopping, dining, and nightlife with live music.

If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a lot to do, Lakeview is certainly one you should consider. It’s home to Wrigley Field, the iconic Chicago Cubs stadium. It’s also home to a ton of great shops, restaurants, and bars. Lakeview is perfect for residents who want to be close to the action.

 

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is one of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods. It’s home to the city’s zoo, museums, and parks. If you’re looking for a family-friendly neighborhood, Lincoln Park is certainly a place to consider. Lincoln Park is also home to some of the city’s best green spaces and is one of the best neighborhoods in Chicago for educational things to do. Lincoln Avenue will take you all the way from downtown Lincoln Park to Skokie.

 

Garfield Park

Garfield Park is a great option for residents who are looking for an affordable neighborhood. It’s also a great option for residents who want to be close to the city’s green spaces. Garfield Park is home to the city’s largest park, Garfield Park Conservatory. The conservatory is a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Garfield Park is also home to several great shops and restaurants.

 

Uptown

Uptown is another great neighborhood for residents who are looking for an affordable place to live. Uptown is home to several public transportation options, making it a great option for commuters.

Uptown is home to the historic Aragon Ballroom. Its unique architecture and famous performers such as Aerosmith, Metallica, Nirvana, and the White Stripes make it a fantastic place for live music and other cultural attractions.

Uptown is also home to a number of great shops, restaurants, and bars. If you’re looking for a neighborhood with a lot of character and reasonable neighborhood prices, Uptown should certainly be considered.

 

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is a great option for residents who want to be close to the University of Chicago. Hyde Park is considered one of the best neighborhoods for historical buildings. Considered to be part of Chicago’s historic district, you will find many homes in Hyde Park with brick row houses with a grand look to them.

 

Bucktown

Bucktown is a great option for residents who want to be close to all the action. Bucktown is just north of Wicker Park, another trendy Chicago Neighborhood, and is also close to Lincoln Park. This is one of the more popular Chicago neighborhoods for young professionals who are looking for apartment buildings with access to public transit while remaining affordable.

 

West Loop

The West Loop is a great option for residents who want to be close to the city’s best dining and shopping. The West Loop is also home to a number of eateries. The West Loop is one of the best neighborhoods in Chicago for dining. Here you will find “restaurant row,” a Chicago foodie’s dream come true.

 

South Loop

The South Loop is a great option for residents who want to be close to the city’s best museums and parks. The South Loop is also home to a number of great shops and restaurants. Here, you will find a great view of Lake Michigan, as well as access to the Lakefront Trail. South Loop is home to museum campus, and also includes printers row – a small neighborhood within the South Loop with tree-lined streets which is home to many young professionals looking to live close to Lake Michigan.

 

Bronzeville

Bronzeville is a historically Black neighborhood, and here you’ll find a neighborhood rich in culture and history. This neighborhood has one of the largest concentration of African-American artists and musicians in Chicago. Bronzeville residents have easy access to the Lakefront Trail and lots of vibrant street art to view.

 

Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square – not to be confused with Lincoln Park – is a neighborhood known for its German culture. This neighborhood was heavily founded by German immigrants, and you will find many of these cultural touches along the tree-lined streets of Lincoln Square.

 

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a high-end, luxury neighborhood within walking distance of Lake Michigan. This sophisticated and affluent trendy neighborhood for young professionals is one of the safest neighborhoods in Chicago. Gold Coast hugs Lake Michigan on the near north side of the city.

 

No matter what lifestyle you’re looking for, you’ll find the perfect neighborhood in Chicago. So, what are you waiting for? Start packing your bags and move to the Windy City today!