Near North Side

Near North Side is an upper income neighborhood right next to Lake Michigan. There are lots of parks and plenty of shopping. It's clean and easy to get to the rest of the city. Chicago has a such a rich Arts community, and this neighborhood is in the think of it. The downsides are that you'll pay a high price to enjoy the trendiness and convenience. And it's not really a kid place if you have little ones at home. It's not anti-children, but most of the residents are childless hip professional singles. If you have Jr, the schools are pretty good. But Chicago Public Schools in general lack high marks. So going private is what you do if it's financially feasible. It's attractive with condos, row houses, and Victorian homes all around. Of course, Chicago is known for having architectural standards better than the average American city. It's very pedestrian friendly. If you've got the cash and like the Windy City, it's a great choice.