Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago boasts a skyline that rivals any in the world. But when you’re looking for your next home, you need a closeup view of the best Chicago neighborhoods and their unique blend of cultural experiences, eclectic architecture, and community spirit. (Deep dish pizza, anyone?)
What gives this city of 2.7 million people its character is the immense variety of its neighborhoods. There’s the charm of Old Town, the vibrant nightlife of Wicker Park, the creative cuisine in Logan Square, the quirky characters of Rogers Park. The list goes on, as each ‘hood has its own distinctive personality. Let’s take a quick tour through some of Chicago’s best neighborhoods to call home.
Explore the 15 Best Chicago Neighborhoods
If you’re looking to move to the Windy City, you can definitely find something to suit your tastes, whether you’re moving from nearby or across the country. Here, we offer a guide to the best neighborhoods in Chicago, outlining factors such as housing costs, amenities, safety, and other variables to help you narrow the field for your home shopping process.
Best Neighborhoods in Chicago for Families
With its unique blend of midwestern charm, big-city culture, and career opportunities, Chicago can be a great place to raise a family. In the best Chicago neighborhoods, you have access to world-class museums, theaters, expansive parks, and other family-friendly attractions for every age group. With the right place, families enjoy a safe environment, good schools, and a sense of community and belonging.
Lincoln Park and Old Town
Median Rent: $2,044
Median Home Value: $791,128
Unique Features: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago History Museum, numerous boutique shops, Victorian-era buildings, and Second City Comedy Club
Lincoln Park and Old Town are charming neighborhoods that offer a blend of urban living with a community-oriented feel. You’ve got good schools, lush green spaces, close access to Lake Michigan, and a vibrant cultural scene with a myriad of dining and entertainment options. But of course, these perks are reflected in some of the highest housing prices in Chicago.
For families who prioritize walkability, easy access to public transit, and bike-friendly streets, these are two of the best Chicago neighborhoods. What’s more, you’ll find cobblestone streets and Victorian architecture, which create a picturesque living experience alongside many outdoor amenities. It’s hard to beat visiting more than 1,100 animals in Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the last free zoos in the U.S. Or experiencing “paradise under glass” at Lincoln Park Conservatory, which showcases exotic plants in four display houses.
Lakeview
Median Rent: $1,842
Median Home Value: $563,494
Unique Features: Lakefront access, vibrant nightlife and food scene, Wrigley Field, and the annual Chicago Pride Parade
Lakeview balances the intense hustle of Chicago city life with a laid-back, community feel. It’s a great spot for both families and newlyweds with big plans, due to its lake access, good schools, walkability, and easy access to public transit. Plus, because the neighborhood surrounds Wrigleyville, you have the Chicago Cubs in your backyard.
Lakeview is considered one of the best Chicago neighborhoods because it offers quieter, more residential pockets. For example, you have Alta Vista Terrace, Chicago’s first designated historic district, and Northalsted, the country’s oldest official LGBTQ+ neighborhood known for its photogenic rainbow crosswalks.
For parks, you can’t beat the Lakefront Trail, a 1,200-acre outdoor oasis featuring car-free biking, grassy fields for picnics and play, tennis courts, and even a golf course with driving range. For shopping, you’ll find local boutiques, record shops, and vintage treasures along Southport Corridor. Dining and entertainment are nonstop, from the vintage Music Box Theatre and Laugh Factory to the Michelin-rated Sochi Saigonese Kitchen and French-Canadian cuisine at Dear Margaret.
Edison Park
Median Rent: $1,724
Median Home Value: $479,370
Unique Features: Suburban vibe, community, bars, restaurants
With a dense suburban feel, Edison Park provides a strong community vibe with a mix of parks, restaurants, and coffee shops. It’s a family-oriented environment that feels like a suburb within the city. Due to that, it’s known for its solid schools, safety, and community involvement, where neighbors know and look out for each other. Surprising considering Chicago’s tough rep, eh?
For families moving to Chicago from a smaller city or town, Edison Park could be an appealing choice with its homey atmosphere. Part of the tradeoff is that it’s not going to be an easy commute to downtown. About 15 miles from the downtown Chicago Loop, it takes as little as 30 minutes, but the commute can stretch to an hour via train, bus, or car during rush hours.
Ravenswood
Median Rent: $2,757
Median Home Value: $470,225
Unique Features: Historic architecture, tree-lined streets, dense urban living
Talk about charm. Ravenswood ranks as one of the best neighborhoods in Chicago because of the unique way it blends historic and modern architecture and offers dense urban living in a highly walkable environment. Many buildings date back to the early 20th century, with tree-lined streets that are ideal for a leisurely stroll to take in the architecture.
Another reason for Ravenwood’s popularity is its tradition of neighbors working together to make their community a better place. For instance, if you enjoy gardening, you can get involved in one of Ravenwood’s active community gardens, or volunteer for one of the many groups focused on local parks.
If you’re a fan of craft beer and microbreweries, you’ll love Ravenswood’s Malt Row, which has earned a reputation as Chicago’s most diverse beer destination. If you’re more into spirits, there’s KOVAL, the city’s first craft distillery, where you can even take a cocktail-making class.
Best Neighborhoods in Chicago for Young Professionals
Chicago is one of the most exciting places to be a young professional — whether you’re fresh out of college and finding your first apartment or advancing in your career. The city offers a wealth of opportunities for growth, networking, and entertainment.
Living in the right neighborhood can provide an ideal balance of work and play, with access to nightlife, diverse dining, and plenty of cultural and recreational activities.
River North
Median Rent: $2,688
Median Home Value: $410,000
Unique Features: Art galleries, trendy restaurants, vibrant nightlife
Want to dive into the mix of Chicago? River North might be the go-to neighborhood for young professionals who want an upscale, energetic lifestyle where modern highrises and luxury condos present spectacular views. The neighborhood is a business hub that offers easy access to the downtown area and public transit, where residents can even catch glimpses of the river on the walk to work. You’ll find plenty of art galleries and hip bars, and a huge concentration of restaurants for endless exploring.
Setting the trendy tone is theMART, one of River North’s most famous landmarks, where you can absorb decorating ideas just wandering through its high-end interior design studios. After dark, the building transforms into the world’s largest video projection art installation across its massive facade, called Art on the Mart.
At night River North shifts into high gear. You can dance all night at trendy club-restaurant hybrid TAO or multi-level Joy District, or kick back to live jazz at Tortoise Supper Club and the famous House of Blues. For eats, try the funky Indian cuisine at Bar Goa or Mr. Beef on Orleans, made famous by the acclaimed streaming series, The Bear.
West Town
Median Rent: $2,267
Median Home Value: $635,203
Unique Features: Diverse food, vibrant nightlife scene, trendy coffee shops, and historic Victorian architecture known as “Beer Baron Row”
One of Chicago’s hippest areas, West Town is an up-and-coming neighborhood that’s become quite popular among young professionals. Known for its fusion of global influences, West Town’s funky, creative spirit spreads across several distinct neighborhoods. The most trendy is Wicker Park, a once grungy outsider filled with artists, writers, and thinkers that’s transformed into a hub of culture and entertainment. It now offers an array of coffee shops, cocktail bars, and some of the city’s most hyped restaurants.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Ukrainian Village, with its Eastern European heritage, featuring lovely historic architecture, cute cafes, and boutiques. These days, the pride and spirit is especially strong at the Ukrainian National Museum and Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art.
Other notable West Town neighborhoods include:
Noble Square, which is more residential with quieter streets, and is home to the Polish Museum of America, as well as an assortment of restaurants featuring Latin, Thai, Middle Eastern, and American cuisine
East Village, with single-family homes that line the winding side streets and condominiums above shops, restaurants, and nightspots on Chicago and Division avenues
River West, a neighborhood bustling with both residential and commercial spaces, where you can even visit AIRE Ancient Baths, featuring thermal baths and saltwater pools in a restored historic building
Logan Square
Median Rent: $1,895
Median Home Value: $550,000
Unique Features: Historic boulevards, diverse dining scene, and a thriving arts and music culture
The eclectic mix of gothic mansions, vintage single-family homes, and modern condominiums surrounding Logan Square, this neighborhood’s namesake, shows how this area blends old and new Chicago.
By combining multicultural heritage with urban convenience, Logan Square is attracting many young professionals with a healthy mix of trendy bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. Head out one day and you might find yourself in the middle of a street fair like the Logan Square Farmers Market, Logan Square Arts Festival, or Taste of Polonia.
Logan Square is one of the most bicycle-friendly neighborhoods in Chicago, featuring The 606/ Bloomingdale Trail, a 2.7-mile repurposed elevated rail line filled with walkers, joggers, bikers, parks, and art. Walkers and bikers also love touring the beautiful boulevards that run through the neighborhood, a system designed in the 1800s to connect Chicago’s parks and green spaces.
Best Neighborhoods in Chicago on a Budget
Of course, finding an affordable place to live in a major city like Chicago can be challenging. But it’s not impossible! There are several neighborhoods that offer a great balance of affordability and value. Plus, in addition to reasonable pricing, these neighborhoods can offer some of the most dynamic personality vibes.
Rogers Park
Median Rent: $1,224
Median Home Value: $290,262
Unique Features: Diverse community, proximity to Loyola University, Lake Michigan beaches, art galleries, and cultural spots
Referred to as a hidden gem, Rogers Park is indeed off-the-beaten path as it’s the northernmost neighborhood of Chicago. About 11 miles from downtown, Rogers Park is still relatively easy to access from downtown via car and is well-connected via public transit. It’s also one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods, where you might hear over 60 languages spoken.
When you consider Rogers Park also has easy beach and shoreline access, it’s hard to figure why the area is still affordable. Sure, the restaurants don’t have all the buzz, but they don’t have long lines, either. It’s not trendy, but really, who cares? Especially when all that diversity brings authentic global eateries.
Rogers Park is also home to Loyola University, which helps contribute to a lively, student-friendly vibe. Its beaches stretch for nearly a mile alongside Loyola Park, complete with walking trails, natural dunes, picnic grounds, a fishing pier and lighthouse. You also don’t want to miss the stunning Mile of Murals, a community-led public art project, and the Glenwood Sunday Farmers Market.
Pilsen
Median Rent: $1,813
Median Home Value: $522,500
Unique Features: Vibrant Mexican heritage, colorful murals, art galleries, and a thriving food scene
Pilsen is a Chicago neighborhood that proudly embraces its Mexican cultural roots with a vibrant mix of art, food, and community just three miles from downtown. The buildings are covered in massive paintings and mosaics that show off the area’s Mexican heritage, especially the 16th Street Murals. There’s also the National Museum of Mexican Art, which is free and filled with colorful textiles, folk art, prints, photos, and more. And of course it’s no surprise that Pilsen boasts some of the best and most authentic Mexican cuisine in the city.
Pilsen’s strong sense of community is reflected in its youth arts programs and community gardens, plus the many events, festivals, and neighborhood celebrations filling its streets throughout the year. Fiesta del Sol is the Midwest’s largest Latino festival, while the Mole De Mayo Festival spotlights the mole dishes that are just one Mexican specialty.
Albany Park
Median Rent: $1,329
Median Home Value: $390,737
Unique Features: Cultural diversity and international restaurants, bars, and coffee shops
About 10 miles from downtown, Albany Park offers an urban-suburban mix tucked into Chicago’s north side. It’s also called the “Gateway to the World,” because it’s one of the most diverse spots in the U.S. That translates to a welcoming community feel and a smorgasbord of cuisines including Latin, Filipino, Korean, Indian, Cambodian, Somali, Romanian, and Middle Eastern. No wonder Flavors of Albany Park is Chicago’s biggest single-day restaurant crawl, with over 70 restaurants offering a culinary trip around the world.
Tree-lined streets help provide a family-friendly atmosphere, while residents enjoy strolling along the neighborhood’s scenic waterfront at River Park and Ronan Park. While locals love the budget-friendly housing, they also would like to see more public schools and less noise and traffic in the area.
Uptown
Median Rent: $1,320
Median Home Value: $341,526
Unique Features: Unique architectural style, Montrose Beach and Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, and cultural historic landmarks like Aragon Ballroom and the Green Mill Jazz Club
It might not get more quintessential Chicago than Uptown. The city is known for beautiful architecture, but Uptown really takes that reputation and runs with it. From historic buildings to modern developments, you’ll experience a range of styles in this sprawling area six miles north of downtown. With about 60,000 residents, Uptown is large enough that it’s home to several distinct areas. Here is just a sampling of Uptown districts:
Asia on Argyle, with its blend of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cambodian restaurants, shops, and other businesses
Uptown Square, featuring ornate architecture and iconic Prohibition-era venues like the Aragon Ballroom, Riviera Theater, Uptown Underground, and the Green Mill, which are still packing people in for jazz and other music genres year-round
Buena Park, with its tree-lined blocks and recognition as a national historic district, as well as newer high-rises.
Safest Neighborhoods in Chicago
When you think about what makes up a safe neighborhood, you probably think about crime rates. And while that’s an important measure, other things to consider are community presence, well-lit streets, and the general sense of security among residents.
A safe neighborhood is one where people should feel comfortable walking around at any time of day, where neighbors know and look out for each other, and where community resources are readily available. Here are a couple of safe neighborhoods in Chicago that stand out.
Forest Glen
Median Rent: $1,692
Median Home Value: $547,003
Safety: Forest Glen has a high safety score with crime rates 90% below the national average.
Forest Glen delivers its residents a quiet, suburban feel about 11 miles from downtown, while still being within the city limits of Chicago and a manageable commute. One reason for its high safety rating is probably the neighborhood’s tiny size, with only about 500 households, which are mostly single-family homes. Take a stroll down one of the tree-lined streets and you’ll experience a family-oriented community vibe with several parks and green spaces.
Mount Greenwood
Median Rent: $1,135
Median Home Value: $293,997
Safety: Mount Greenwood has a high safety score 26% above the national average.
Mount Greenwood is surprisingly affordable while being one of the safest neighborhoods in Chicago. On the southwestern edge of Chicago, It’s a pleasant blend of quiet, family-friendly living with the convenience of having the big city about 18 miles away. Although the community is mainly residential, the area is also home to St. Xavier University.
With a rich Irish heritage, you’ll find suburban vibes, a strong sense of community, and a number of parks. Expansive Mount Greenwood Park is a major gathering place, with 52 acres featuring playing fields, a gym, an outdoor pool, rooms for community activities, and even an ice rink.
What Are the Worst Neighborhoods in Chicago?
Of course, like any other major city, not every place in Chicago is ideal and some face significant challenges. It’s important to recognize that each area has its own unique character and community spirit, even if it struggles with issues like crime and economic difficulties. Also, these neighborhoods are full of people working to better their environment.
In addition, these Chicago neighborhoods have redeeming qualities such as affordability, community character, or an appealing geographic location.
Englewood: Englewood has been through tough times, grappling with high crime rates. However, this neighborhood isn’t defined by its challenges. Community organizations and local leaders are actively working to revitalize Englewood. Plus, the area offers affordable housing, several public gardens, and a sense of community resilience.
Austin: As one of Chicago’s largest neighborhoods, Austin has its share of difficulties, including higher crime rates. Yet, it remains a place rich in history and architecture. Moreover, efforts are underway to improve safety and invest in local businesses and education.
Riverdale: Riverdale is known for having some of the highest crime rates in Chicago, in both violent and property crimes. Despite these issues, there are efforts within the community to address safety concerns to create more affordable housing.
Find the Best Chicago Neighborhood for You!
Chicago is a dynamic and beautiful city filled with neighborhoods that offer a tapestry of its own unique flavor and energy. And one of the best things about the Windy City is that it invites you to explore its diversity to find your own place within the landscape.
As you consider where you might fit in, think about what truly matters to you. Is it the pulse of city life? The comfort of a tight-knit community? Or maybe charming architecture? Remember, choosing a neighborhood is more than just finding a place to live. It’s about discovering a community where you can thrive and grow.
Get Help Moving into Your New Neighborhood
Once you’ve decided on your own best neighborhood in Chicago, you’re ready to plan your move. Considering Chicago traffic, your safest bet is hiring moving professionals that know their way around. Colonial Van Lines are longtime pros with a great reputation for delivering a moving experience that’s as smooth and easy as possible. Get your free quote today!