Neighborhoods Are Official And Unofficial
There are 77 community areas in Chicago that are used to breakdown the city for official city purposes. However, there are over 200 neighborhoods claimed by some.
As you can guess, neighborhoods are often contained within communities areas or other, larger neighborhoods. A really easy one is Wrigleyvillethe neighborhood containing Wrigley Field is part of the larger neighborhood of Lakeview.
The Chicago Municipal Code refers to 178 neighborhoods, but the list is so old and obscure that its official in name only, and even Google struggles to track down the map. I believe this is a version of it.
There are significant cultural differences across Chicago neighborhoods, and these often change just as soon as you cross a street. DNAInfo has one of my favorite pieces on Chicagos neighborhood boundaries.
Every so often it even seems like developers are trying to make up new neighborhoods. You might think from the name AMC River East that River East is a neighborhood, but in fact it just refers to a single development complex.
Edwin C Bill Berry Playground
3100 S Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60616
This colorful playground is located between the 31st Street Beach and the harbor. Youll find huge whimsical play structures with climbing ropes, tubes, and a rubberized surface. Afterwards you can stroll through the nearby marina and take a peek at the boats there.
Suburbs Are Not Neighborhoods Neighborhoods Are Not Suburbs
This is a constant source of confusion. If someone asks where Im from and I say Chicago a typical response is what part?
If the person is from the city, I know this actually means what neighborhood? If theyre not, I know it usually what suburb? which is also a common non-sensical response to saying youre from Chicago.
When I lived in Hyde Park, Id say something like Hyde Park, its a neighborhood on the South Side, and Id get responses like oh so the suburbs?
HUH?
But if I just say the city people then occasionally ask something like Oh so like by the Sears Tower? forgetting that Chicago is a huge city of three million people and almost none of us live near the Sears Tower . Which brings us to
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Information About Oak Park:
- Annual Property Tax : $10,000+
- Median Household Income: $94,646
- Average Home Value: $387,300
Moreover, crime rates are moderate due to its proximity to the city but Oak Park high schools are very well rated. In particular, both Oak Park-River Forest and Fenwick are top-ranked public and private high schools in Chicago, IL each year.
Oak Park, Illinois is also known as the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway and is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. As a result, the village has a plethora of stunning historic architecture and victorian style homes.
As a result, the village has a plethora of stunning historic architecture and victorian style homes. I highly recommend taking one of the many Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture Tours in Oak Park when you get a chance. Nearby west side Chicago neighborhoods include Forest Park, River Forest, Cicero, and Riverside, Illinois.
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Margaret Donahue Park Playground & Water Spray Features
1230 W School St. Chicago, IL
Even if youre a Brewers fan, is a great playground to visit, though Cubs fans may feel more at home. Its just a short walk from Wrigley Field and has team pride all over it. Kids will love the water spray area, play structures that look like the Hancock and Willis Towers, a mosaic art installation, and rubberized soft surfacing.
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What You Need To Know
Once home to both Dwyane Wade and Kanye West, Chicagos southwest suburbs expand from Oak Lawn and Tinley Park, all the way out to Joliet, Illinois. One of the most historical regions in the Chicagoland area, the southwest suburbs are said to be the birthplace of the citys blues history, industrial boom and Route 66 lore.
Counties: Cook, WillZip: 60459, 60453, 60448, 60467, 60477, 60465, 60434, 60441 etc.
Communities: Bridgeview, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Burbank, Tinley Park, Palos Hills, Joliet, Lockport, Homer Glen, etc.Metra Lines: Metra Heritage Corridor, Metra SouthWest Service, Metra Rock Island District
Chapter 5 Of Chicago Suburbs: South Suburbs
While often overlooked by dwellers of the north Chicagoland, South Suburbs has hidden beauty to offer.
Apart from large forest preserves, the south is rimmed with old farming lands, clean residential neighborhoods, quaint dining spots, extensive golf courses, refreshing lakeshore, disciplined bus system, and neat expressways.
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Map Of The Best Chicago Suburbs
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Things To Do In Naperville
Stroll along Naperville Riverwalk, where you can visit the Dandelion Fountain, go paddle boating, or look at the artwork throughout the Century Walk. Cool off in the summer heat and swim in the former quarry-turned-swimming pool at Centennial Beach. Explore hands-on exhibits like Awesome Energy, Make It Move, and The Studio at DuPage Childrens Museum. Watch the Naperville Municipal Band and other local performing arts groups at Naperville Community Concert Center. Get your morning caffeine in from Sparrow Coffee and choose from a rotating selection of single-origin coffees. Try creative grilled cheese creations like the Tuna Turner, Sloppy Mack, and The Socra-Cheez from Everdines Grilled Cheese Co. Have a taste of Spain with traditional tapas like Queso con Pacanas, Crepe Rellena, and Valenciana Paella at Meson Sabika. Order Cajun White Fish Tacos, Pan Seared Szechwan Scallops, or a Hawaiian Poke Bowl at Catch 35. Or sip on some craft brews like the Friday Junior IPA, Cake Wafter Sour Ale, or Section 37 Pilsner at Solemn Oath Brewery.
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The City Is Not Just Downtown
Im familiar with very few Chicagoans who refer to downtown as the city. While we have neighborhood pride, were all Chicagoans, so to refer to just a small part of Chicago as the city doesnt really make sense.
That said, Im not going to pretend it doesnt happen, just that it isnt standard in my experience. I would love to hear from other Chicagoans on this.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The butterflies say hello at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Photo from Facebook, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
This gem of a museum includes a special Tree Houses exhibit where kids can explore the forest canopy, natural artifacts, and more. Theres also a taxidermy laboratory, a gorgeous Butterfly Haven, and a Nature Trails activity that guides kids along the parks North Pond.
You can pair a trip to Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum with a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lincoln Park Conservatory.
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Southwest Chicago Suburbs Jobs
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Brunk Childrens Museum Of Immigration
The Brunk Childrens Museum of Immigration is in the heart of Chicagos Andersonville neighborhood and its the first childrems museum dedicated to immigration. There are hands-on interactive exhibits that focus on the Swedish immigrant experience, including a replica of a century-old Swedish farmhouse, and a 20-foot immigrant steamship.
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Chicago Has Three Sides
Chicago can roughly be broken down into the North Side, the West Side, and the South Side. There is no East Side because Lake Michigan and Indiana sit to the east of downtown.
People tend to be more familiar with the North Side and South Side designations, and admittedly things would be easier to map out with only two sides. However, as I formerly worked in the West Side and worked with many members of its communities, Im in the camp that defends it as a very distinct part of the city.
The sides arent neighborhoods, and they dont even have many official sources that designate them. However, people do commonly divide the city according to them. Very roughly, Ive drawn out the above map that breaks down the three sides of the city .
Those dotted lines serve to emphasize the ambiguity of these designations. Especially near the Loop , its uncommon for people to claim to be a part of either the North Side or South Side.
As we discuss in our guide to navigating Chicago, the North and South sides roughly divide according to whether a street address is North or South.
In practice, the south side is often thought to start at Roosevelt Road, which has an address of 1200 South. Roosevelt is often used in conversation as the cultural dividing line, as in Oh you think you know this city? Psh, I bet youve never been south of Roosevelt.
List Of Neighborhoods In Chicago
Rahm EmanuelSt. Hyacinth BasilicaAvondaleBack of the YardsUnion StockyardsUpton Sinclair1906The JungleBridgeportJohn S. FlizikowskiSerbian OrthodoxEast SideGreektownGateway TheatreSolidarity TowerJefferson ParkRoyal CastleWarsawKosciuszko ParkLincoln SquarePortage ParkPolish flatBungalow BeltWacawowoSt. WenceslausRichard NickelWicker ParkWrigleyvilleChicago Cubs
There are sometimes said to be more than 200 neighborhoods in Chicago, though residents differ on their names and boundaries. A city ordinance prescribing and mapping 178 neighborhoods is almost unknown and ignored even by municipal departments. Neighborhood names and identities have evolved due to real estate development and changing demographics. The City of Chicago is also divided into 77 community areas which were drawn by University of Chicago researchers in the late 1920s. Chicago’s community areas are well-defined, generally contain multiple neighborhoods, and depending on the neighborhood, less commonly used by residents. More historical images of Chicago neighborhoods can be found in Explore Chicago Collections, a digital repository made available by Chicago Collections archives, libraries and other cultural institutions in the city.
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Local Hinsdale Area Stats:
- Annual Property Tax : $10,000+
- Median Household Income: $203,368
- Hinsdales Average Home Price: $884,700
In addition, the village of Hinsdale has very low crime rates and historically high housing prices. Notable attractions include Graue Mill and Museum as well as Ty Warner Park, making it a top western suburb for affluent families and out-of-town visitors.
Recently trending neighborhoods located near Hinsdale include Western Springs, La Grange Park, and Brookfield, Illinois.
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Neighborhoods Are A Part Of Chicago
Like most large cities, Chicago has neighborhoods. These neighborhoods have names, and they are all still a part of Chicago. Some neighborhoods are centrally located and contain famous landmarks, like the Loop, Gold Coast, Streeterville, and River North.
Other neighborhoods are not at all centrally located and contain nothing notable to most people. Anyone know where Schorsch Village is? Well I do, but only because I grew up there.
If you wanted to mail a letter to someone who lived in Hyde Park, a neighborhood in Chicago, you would write Chicago, IL on the envelope.
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North Suburbs Of Chicago
In the North Suburbs, Schaumburg takes the lead for the most family-friendly activities. One of the main attractions in this suburb is the Legoland Discovery Center, a must-visit for lego-lovers with giant lego displays, amusement park rides, a 4D theater, and kid-sized lego worlds to explore.
Nearby Bisons Bluff is one of the areas best nature playgrounds with a large bison, waterfall, multi-tiered tree house, art area, music area, climbing walls, indoor nature center, and slides leading to the base of the bluff.
Bisons Bluff, Photo from parkfun.com
Also in Schaumburg is the free Challenge Course at Meineke Park, with an extensive ninja warrior course complete with ramps, vault wall, floating boards, ropes, and climbing walls. Digital timers even allow them to score their performance.
The Peppa Pig World of Play has 14 themed areas including Peppa Pigs Treehouse, Miss Rabbit at the Supermarket, and Georges Fort.
For a giant hangout space with bowling alleys, ping-pong tables, and arcade games, head to the Enterrium at Woodfield Mall, formerly known as Pac-Man Entertainment.
Or, travel back in time where knights in shining armor battled for honor on their horses. Medieval Times is an immersive experience for the whole family.
For a restaurant that will delight your kids, check out Pilot Petes, an aviation themed eatery. It has airplanes hanging from the ceiling, and you can watch the real airplanes at the neighboring Schaumburg Flying Club from your table!
South Suburbs Of Chicago
In the south suburbs, youll find KidsWork Childrens Museum in Frankfort, which features exhibits offering interactive play opportunities like the Pet Vet, Imagination Theater, Art Works, and a Light Exhibit.
The Childrens Museum in Oak Lawn offers play-based activity for young kids with exhibits like Water Adventure and Beachcomber Island, Safe Haven Animal Shelter, The Science of Small, and more.
Located a bit north of these in Orland Park is beautiful Centennial Park with two playgrounds , walking paths, a skat park, an ice rinks, and more.
Leigh Creek South Park in New Lenox is home to an inclusive, playground with a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, seating zipline, basketball hoops of different heights, and more
Harvester Park in Burr Ridge Tree of Life play area
Finally, Harvester Park in Burr Ridge is over 30 acres with an impressive Tree of Life play area with a huge climbable tree, zip lines, music area, splash pad, treehouse, and sand area. There are also bathrooms nearby and a covered picnic area to sit while your little ones play.
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Busy Beaver Button Museum
The quirky and whimsical Busy Beaver Button Museum is the worlds only finback bottom museum, where youll find buttons from every ingle year since the finback was patented in 1896. You will also see historical artifacts like George Washingtons inauguration buttons and an Abraham Lincoln campaign pin. The museum will also build custom buttons for you using your kids innovative ideas!
The Burbs: Dont Call It Chicago
Chicago is a huge, sprawling city that has been divided into an absurd number of neighborhoods.
While theyre all considered part of the same city, there is a stark divide between those who live in the city proper and those who live in the suburbs.
If youre planning on heading out to The Burbs, its best to be prepared for the frequent reminders that you dont really live in Chicago.
Try not to take it too personally. Hating your neighbor for not being a true Chicagoan is just part of the Chicago experience.
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Apartments In Chicago Suburbs
Apartments and houses for rent in the Chicago suburbs can be found in many shapes and sizes. The suburbs of Chicago shouldnt be overlooked in your rental search. The expansive ribbon of suburbs that extend outward from the Chicago city limits contains a sizeable percentage of Illinois residents. Chicagos suburbs vary in size, ranging from small villages of a few thousand residents to massive communities that are small cities in their own right, where apartments and homes for rent can be found to match nearly any budget or taste. Modern homes, luxury apartments, classic single-family homes, modern townhouses for rent, and more can be found in the suburbs of Chicago.
Meet Our Southwest Suburbs Owner: :
Laura DeFalco
LAURA DeFALCO. Owner of NEAT Method Southwest Suburbs. With a Masters in CURRICULUM and INSTRUCTION, she is passionate about creating KIDS SPACES. A born NORTH CAROLINA girl, but raised in Naperville. Happy to be back in her hometown after 8 years of city living. A devoted WIFE and proud MOM to three beautiful kids. Her most cherished past times involve COOKING with her husband and shopping at PAPER SOURCE. Nothing beats a day that involves a GRILL and a CAMPSITE. Besides the great outdoors, IRELAND is her favorite vacation spot. Loves anything SALTY or SWEET especially the combo of both.
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