I’ve been living in Seattle for several years now and am really growing tired of the place. Seems like there’s not much out there for someone who isn’t an ironic hipster doofus, a coke snorting indie-rock scenester or a condo-dwelling yuppie. Plus this weather really grates on the soul. I don’t mind the rain but the period from November-February where there is almost zero sunlight is getting harder and harder to bear!
I grew up around Chicago and am looking to head back in that direction as I rather love the city. Can anyone recommend a good neighborhood to live in? I’m looking for something affordable yet relatively safe (ie not ghetto!)
A fun neighborhood that is cool but not pretentiously hip.
I don’t know when the last time you lived here was, but I’ve been here for about 4 years now and I live in Lakeview (East Chicago) - about 1-2 miles from downtown. It’s a very convenient neighborhood and there are many apartments around here. You technically don’t need a car in this area - public transportation is good and there is almost every type of shop near you in this area - at most 5-10 minute walk.
Then there’s Wicker Park, on the West side, which is a “hip” area though things are expensive over there. Again, that’s not too far from downtown either.
As always, it depends what you want though - whether you would rather live in a house type setting. If you elaborate I’ll tell more…
This makes me a little sad…I was seriously thinking of moving out to seattle sooner than later.
Well hey, don’t let me bring you down. You may just like it here who knows. Unfortunately a visit to this area can be quite deceptive as there exists something that is known as “the Seattle freeze” You can read about it here:
I wholeheartedly agree with the first article I linked, the second website can tend to exaggerate the negative aspects of the city, but it does bring up some very good points. I suppose any city you live in is to a large degree what you make of it, but I highly recommend doing some research before moving here. I would highly recommend at the very least having a steady career with a savings before moving to Seattle and getting trapped like some people seem to do.
My favorite aspects of the city however are:
Being relatively bicycle friendly compared to many major cities.
The temperate climate. It doesn’t get too hot or cold here. Just be sure you can function without sunlight for a good part of the year.
There are quite a few fun bars, and the music scene is pretty healthy.
Negative aspects to me are:
The cold social scene.
The passive-aggressive social behavior
The gentrification. Many of the older buildings and the businesses that made the neighborhoods unique are being knocked down to make room for pastel-colored yuppie condominiums. Cost of living is becoming way to high in relation to the benefits of living in the city IMO.
I was semi-kidding, but i’ve been considering moving out there for maybe the last couple of years. Anyway, it would be a better environmental change than what’s here. The local music scene is near death and there’s absolutely nothing here except for a mall, a few bars and clubs (which I don’t do), two bowling alleys, and a couple theatres. I’m missing the real city environment, i’m original from santa monica, ca. So cali to louisiana is a very drastic switch, I think. It’s something I would continue to check in on, but i’m sure it’s better than here, heh. Chicago’s always sounded cool, but it seems like a dream if living there during the wax trax days, that would’ve been something.
I don’t know when the last time you lived here was, but I’ve been here for about 4 years now and I live in Lakeview (East Chicago) - about 1-2 miles from downtown. It’s a very convenient neighborhood and there are many apartments around here. You technically don’t need a car in this area - public transportation is good and there is almost every type of shop near you in this area - at most 5-10 minute walk.
Then there’s Wicker Park, on the West side, which is a “hip” area though things are expensive over there. Again, that’s not too far from downtown either.
As always, it depends what you want though - whether you would rather live in a house type setting. If you elaborate I’ll tell more…
Thanks, Afra.
I grew up in humble DeKalb IL (60 miles west on 88). Growing up I would often take the Metra into the city and get into trouble. The Clark/Belmont area was a frequent haunt of mine. My sister has an apartment in Boystown, which would have been fun for me in my early 20’s, but I probably wouldn’t want to live there now.
Lakeview sounds interesting… I’m an avid cyclist and also really do enjoy a good public transit system, something Seattle really lacks. There is so much freedom in not owning a car! I’m not in the market for a house, looking more for a neighborhood with reasonably priced apartments. I don’t party as much as I used to, but it sure is nice to have the option of having a nearby nightlife scene within walking distance or at least a quick taxi ride.
I sure appreciate your reply. Take care sir. [cool]
I was semi-kidding, but i’ve been considering moving out there for maybe the last couple of years. Anyway, it would be a better environmental change than what’s here. The local music scene is near death and there’s absolutely nothing here except for a mall, a few bars and clubs (which I don’t do), two bowling alleys, and a couple theatres. I’m missing the real city environment, i’m original from santa monica, ca. So cali to louisiana is a very drastic switch, I think. It’s something I would continue to check in on, but i’m sure it’s better than here, heh. Chicago’s always sounded cool, but it seems like a dream if living there during the wax trax days, that would’ve been something.
Well, from what I know about Louisiana you would probably like Seattle quite a bit better. If you can afford to live in California than you can certainly afford to live in Washington.
Unfortunately, the wax-trax days are long since gone. Even when I visited Chicago on a steady basis from 94-99 the scene seemed to be a ghost of it’s former self. But yeah, to be a part of the Chicago scene during the heyday of both wax-trax and touch-and-go records would have been something!
Of course every scene is romanticized to death by those who were a part of it. Rather than try to move somewhere and become part of an existing scene be it the Haight-Ashbury SF, early NYC punk, 80’s Chicago or 90’s Seattle, it seems a better move to create your own scene wherever you choose to live, but that is easier said than done of course…
I’ll be in Chicago over this weekend as well, for four days to visit my girlfriend’s family. I’ll at least have a couple of days to shop around the record stores. I plan on visiting Reckless Records near Wicker Park. Do any of you guys know of any other cool used record places?
It’s easy to have fun in Lakeview/Lincoln Park. It’s a safe bet as long as you have some scratch. Nice area but heavily congested.
Wicker Park is becoming increasingly annoying. Your desciption of Seattle sounds a lot like Wicker Park. It used to be cool, now it’s riddled with Starbucks, etc.
The adventurous Chicago artist, these days, is living in West Town (The area immediately to the west of the Loop), Bridgeport (35th and Halsted) and even the South Loop.
I’m a 10 minute walk from the Clark/Belmont area and Boystown. That is considered part of the Lakeview area (though Lakeview is pretty big). The lakefront here offers cyclists a great escape. Since your sister lives right here, I would definitely recommend taking a weekend and driving going around the city to see which area you may like most. I can certainly help you with that…
I’m a 10 minute walk from the Clark/Belmont area and Boystown. That is considered part of the Lakeview area (though Lakeview is pretty big). The lakefront here offers cyclists a great escape. Since your sister lives right here, I would definitely recommend taking a weekend and driving going around the city to see which area you may like most. I can certainly help you with that…
Thank you sir for the advice, you are very kind. I would like to extend the same offer to you if you ever visit Seattle. I have indeed toured Chicago this past summer and got on overall feel for certain neighborhoods, but I thought I’d try and see if anyone else besides my sister had any insider information. I’ll probably be stuck here in the northwest for a year or two more finishing up some schooling but after that I look forward to starting anew in a city were people do not put ketchup on their hot dogs.
I’ve not stayed in either throughout the Winter, but I LOVE both Seattle (WA, in general, actually) and Chicago.
I had so much fun in Chicago a few months back. The public transit is convenient and usable and my buddies and I were able to get around everywhere just walking and taking trains.
That said, I think getting out of where we live either temporarily or for a complete move and change of life is a great thing. Sometimes we just need to change shit up to keep from growing old and moldy.