Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Ellen Prinzi, CEO of Olio City.
Finding out you’re about to add a little one to your family doesn’t mean rushing out to buy a mini-van and hightailing it to the ‘burbs. Millennial parents are finding the perks of city living with kids, and all it takes is the right neighborhood and the right mindset. You don’t need to give up celebrity chefs and cocktails you can’t pronounce for chain restaurants and carpool lines. Your little sweetheart is going to be a citizen of the world, a public transit pro, and, undoubtedly, spoiled by truffle gouda mac n’ cheese, rather than his suburban counterparts’ bowl of Velveeta.
The key to this urban bliss is the right neighborhood. A neighborhood where you can walk to school alongside other cool parents, eat like the bon vivant you are, and museum hop on the weekends. Here are our picks for the top five Chicago neighborhoods for raising kids in the city.
- Edgewater
- Ravenswood
- North Center
- Lincoln Square
- Andersonville
Read on for more details of each!
Edgewater
Where Lake Shore Drive and Uptown end, Edgewater begins. Originally built as a summer retreat for the Chicago elite, present-day Edgewater is lined with international restaurants and lakeside high-rises. The commute to the city is short and the crime rate is low. Come for the views, stay for the food.
What families love about Edgewater: It’s safe and clean with good schools—the holy trinity for parents looking for a place to call home.
Ravenswood
Just off Chicago’s Brown Line tracks live families, hipsters, and even the city’s mayor. Ravenswood charms with Victorian-style mansions and easy access to public transportation. The food scene boasts Michelin stars and laid back neighborhood cafes. Be sure to check out The Sixth, which is known for a Trix-inspired drink called the “Silly Rabbit” (Note: definitely not for kids).
What families love about Ravenswood: Top rated public and private schools and lack of a nightlife means lots of peace and quiet.
North Center
If Cheers were a neighborhood, it’d be North Center. By the end of your first day, it’ll feel like everybody knows your name. North Center is full of neighborhood breweries, bars and family-owned restaurants, plus it’s close to the more happening areas of town. This is a good first stop as you make your way out of the city center to start shedding your late twenties habits.
What families love about North Center: Five minutes to the Loop means a short commute downtown. The area also has great public schools and quiet streets. There are a number of street festivals, parks, and family-friendly activities and restaurants.
Lincoln Square
A few years ago, Lincoln Square experienced a great minivan migration. Now, Old World German charm and North Side cultural institutions stand side by side with gourmand dining choices, unique shops and, yes, the requisite gelato stand. Lincoln Square’s timeless charm and sense of community will always make you feel welcome. A historically German neighborhood, it’s home to many—you guessed it—German establishments and Brauhauses, peppered with young parents in activewear and stroller rush hour.
What families love about Lincoln Square: Neighborhood parks, kids on every block, year-round family activities and one of the most sought after neighborhoods for young families.
Andersonville
Located on the north side of the north side, Andersonville is the most Swedish place we’ve ever visited outside of Stockholm. That said, it’s still Chicago, so Scandinavian charm coexists with a diverse selection of shops and restaurants. Historically, Andersonville attracts gay and lesbian couples looking to settle down, and many of its leafy streets have a quiet, tranquil vibe. Sadly, a car can be a necessity as Andersonville is a hike from the Red Line, so either familiarize yourself with the Clark Bus or carpooling.
What families love about Andersonville: Lots of kid friendly dining options from all over the world, story time at the Women and Children First bookstore and an excellent farmers market.
Contenu associé
