Lincoln Park

ambergkd

I posted a few weeks ago because DH and I are relocating to Chicago in December and had no clue where to live. We recently went and visited and did some apartment hunting (we are looking to rent and our budget is around $1600).

I received lots of responses, but my question is, what is so bad about Lincoln Park? Many people posted to stay away and I am not sure why. Is it the cost or are other factors involved? While on our visit, I found it to be really nice and what we are looking for (I also liked Lakeview and Wicker Park). We want to be near things-restaurants, bars, shops, etc. One response from a previous posting said "You couldn't pay me to live in Lincoln Park." Could anyone provide additional details?? Thank you!

mbs79

I live in Lakeview/Wrigleyville and work part-time in Lincoln Park.  LP is, in my opinion, a part of town that I would like to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.  Near our condo are plenty of places to eat and shop.  There are many neighborhoods that offer the same.  Unfortunately, LP is just like living next to Wrigley Field.  If you'd prefer not to dodge vomit and assorted hoochies stumbling down your block Friday-Sunday, then LP may not be your ideal neighborhood. 

I could go on and on, but I'm sure the neighborhood has its high points. I just don't see them that often.

SNS812

We live in LP now and absolutely love it. I moved to Chicago right after graduating from college and lived in Wrigleyville with two of my college roommates. At the time, it was perfect for us (a lot of people our age and a lot of bars in close proximity). DH and I moved to LP a couple years later for a change of scene. LP is a pretty large area, and while there may be some areas that are more crazy with drunk kids, we haven't found that on our street. We live just south of Armitage and our street is very quiet. I have yet to see "vomit and assorted hoochies stumbling" on our block. Another bonus, is that my el ride is 10 minutes shorter to downtown from where I live now than from where I lived in Wrigleyville. There are also tons of restaurants and shops within walking distance. Housing in LP tends to be more expensive, and that might turn some people off, but I think the location is unbeatable. A lot of people trash-talk LP and I'm not really sure why.

mbs79

I just noticed you're from Burlington. One of my best friends lives there. I grew up in Louisville. I rarely see Ky girls here, so welcome!

lmb5109

LP is awesome. Pricey, yes. But if you steer clear of DePaul area, you should avoid the drunkeness and hoochies  South of Armitage has great places to eat, shopping, and people in the 25-35 age group. And yes, the train ride is shorter!

Lakeview (west of Southport) is another "grown-up" area that I love. Sorry, I have only been to Wicker Park a handful of times, but we have a ton if nesties that live there and love it!

schaiblejen

i would say for parking and congestion alone is why i wouldnt live in lincoln park...  i would live on the south edge of it, near north ave and Old town, but up near fullerton and diversey is so crowded, and lots of college age kids...  I work near Clark and Fullerton, and I enjoy leaving the area every day after work...

I live in Roscoe Village...  LOVE IT!  Easy parking and more "open spaces" however it is far from the lake and take a bit to get downtown from the train.

Each neighborhood has its pros and cons, you just have to see what works best for you...  Each neigborhood is close on the northside, you wouldnt be confined to any ONE neighborhood.... 

All of Chicago is wonderful, in my opionion! 

megs68

I lived in Lincoln Park for the first 3 or 4 years I lived in Chicago and loved it.  Now I live in the west burbs.  There are great factors about it - you're close to the lake, to transportation downtown, lots of restaurants, etc.  I found it to be a wonderful extension of college.  But once I hit about 25 and got serious with DH, I wasn't into the scene of the bars/restaurants anymore, I got tired of feeling surrounded by people all the time, and was so tired of the lack of space and parking. It's incredibly hard to find parking in the area unless you have a designated space.  So we moved to the suburbs.  But it all depends on what you're interested in.  A lot of our friends still live in the area (they are a little north now in Lakeview/Wrigleyville) and still love it.  It's a great place to try out, even for just a year, because I had so much fun while I was there and got to experience the city in a way that I won't again. 

MKESweetie

I love Lincoln Park, though admittedly I do not live there. Stay away from DePaul, and you should be fine.

Of course, if you're reconsidering, you can always think about the South Loop--it is lovely! 

lmb5109

When I first moved here, I moved to Boys Town (East Lakeview) with my friend. I had no clue about any area of this city, I let her pick. I loved finding the little cute things about my neighborhood, but I also found the annoying things real quick (no parking unless you get home by 5pm, the drunks from the Cubs game, the bar crowd leaving the bars at 4am and being so loud it woke me up from a dead sleep!) But like the pp said, it's only a year and it goes fast in this city (even in the dead of winter!) And after that first year, you'll know the area of the city you like the best.

If you found a place you like in LP, move there and enjoy it! LP does have a lot to offer.

erkarpf

I love LP, you just don't get as much bang for your buck. It has great shopping and lots of good restaurants. I live a little further north, but I love it! 

darlawoods

We just moved from Lincoln Park to the western suburbs, and I honestly miss it!  We loved walking to dinner/weekend brunch, cruising along with our dog and the abundance of shops, etc.  It is very pricey.  I would also recommend to stay away from DePaul as well.  I would stay in South Lincoln Park near Armitage.  East of Halsted or at least away from the noise of the train.

Hope that helps 

abseptember

I live in Lakeview and love it here.  I also love LP.  I agree with PP to steer clear of the DePaul area....  I'd live closer to the lake if possible.  Can you share what intersection the apartment was near so we can give you more details on that area?  If you like restaurants, shopping, etc, you should like LP.