HELP! Moving to Chicago torn btwn hoods

goldgold

HH and I are moving to Chicago. We're currently in the city looking for a place. We've put an application in for one and found something else we like equally. The prices are pretty much the same (when we add up all the amenities/utilities). We're trying to decide if we should pull out of the app since we'll lose the 1st month's rent if the owner says yes before we pull out.

Would you live in the West Loop or Wicker Park and why???

 

kaylynne

I live in Wicker Park and I like it a lot.  I don't know as much about the West Loop.  In Wicker Park I can walk to the park, I take my dog to the dog park (the proximity of this park to my condo was a major factor in getting the dog actually).  Food within walking distance/delivery: tacos, pizza, Italian, Thai, Chinese, Sushi, Greek, Indian, burgers, sandwiches... and there are several options for each.  If I were less anti-social I would take advantage of the music/dancing venues and the art studios that are open to the public once a month. Close to the Blue Line, which gets me downtown in twenty minutes or less.  There are lots of boutique/family owned shops - I love Alliance Bakery (they did my wedding cake) and my dog loves Doggy Style Pet Shop.  A range of thrift shops from the actually thrifty to pricey "vintage".  You see a broad range of people as well.  Families, singles, starving artists that haven't run from the gentrification, gentrified yuppies, people who think they're trendy, people who actually are trendy...

Of course, they're not that far apart, you could always live in one and visit the other.  WP is a weekend destination for many.

goldgold

thanks kaylynne! we actually signed a lease last night for a place in wicker park. the price beat out the place in the west loop. we're missing out on a prettier apt with more amenities, but we both loved wicker park as soon as we saw it. moving in july 15th!

racystacey07

i also vote for wicker park! have a safe trip here and good luck setting up your new home

goldgold

thank you so much!

kaylynne

Congratulations! Welcome to the neighborhood!

JennyQ1985

Definitely Wicker Park.  It's much nicer & cuter.  I work in the west loop and it's pretty shady over here.

brideinfall08

I wouldn't call the west loop "shady"...it's far from it.  Unless you work west of ashland or something.

goldgold

Our decision was based on Sat night. We walked around both areas (though we don't know them too well) around 11pm. The streets around the potential West Loop apt were dead. The Wicker Park one obv. had people around. We were looking at one place in WP but ended up with another (smaller) place since it had one garage spot and was $200 cheaper. For whatever reason if we don't like it we can always move after the year. I think WP will work out for us nicely. HH is starting med school so having so many things around is perfect for when he's got some free time, and for me to have things around to entertain myself.

JennyQ1985

brideinfall08:

I wouldn't call the west loop "shady"...it's far from it.  Unless you work west of ashland or something.

I do.  And it's not a far walk for the people over here.

noonecarewhoiam

JennyQ1985:

brideinfall08:

I wouldn't call the west loop "shady"...it's far from it.  Unless you work west of ashland or something.

I do.  And it's not a far walk for the people over here.

West of Ashland is not the West Loop; it's the Near West Side.

Wicker Park has some pretty interesting characters hanging around at night, partially because of the needle exchange program.

The West Loop is great for people who want highrise amenities, easy access to the train stations/highway, or proximity to the Loop.

Wicker Park is a more established neighborhood with a more residential feel and more of a cafe culture.

It's all about priorities.