Any neighborhoods/towns in the U.S. similar to Lincoln Square? (Chicago: schools, to live in)

[Master Jay]

Kmanshouse, now I just DID give the answer!!

Or did you not like my answer?

I thought we were homies! lol

[RocketSci]

Elmwood Village neighborhood in Buffalo comes close, but is likely out of your price range now.

North Park neighborhood is considered more family friendly, is less dense than Elmwood but has lots of walkability, and there are still some 3 br singles that may be in your price range.

Both neighborhoods have a range of housing types and styles (singles, doubles, multiple, apartments), with North Park having more singles. Elmwood is the older neighborhood (predominately 1870s-1910), while North Park predominately 1920-1950. Some older, some newer in each. A few new builds in part of North Park.

City high schools range from some of the worst to some of the very best in state and Northeast. Also plentiful private and free Charter schools. Buffalo also has the Say Yes program where city students earn tuition credits toward college - HS graduates can get free college. Weather should be comparable to Chicago, with slightly cooler and drier summers, slightly warmer and snowier winters.

In-laws from Texas moved to North Park and work from home. They love it. Purchased a 2-family home for 320k just over a year ago. They put 2 teen age kids in a local private school, looking to move 1 to a city magnet high school.

[Kmanshouse]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Kmanshouse, now I just DID give the answer!!

Or did you not like my answer?

I thought we were homies! lol

You didn't seem to sure about Riverwest. Was that your answer?

I've never been there.

[Master Jay]

Kmanshouse, oh no no no.

I meant: Libertyville and Highwood, in terms of giving me those great Lincoln Square vibes.

What do you think?

[Kmanshouse]

I've never been to either place. What they'd both be missing though, is the urbanity and quick access to the rest of the city.

To me personally, the urbanity is a huge part of it. For this to be a suburban downtown area....that's all there is then, there isn't a plethora of other neighborhoods close by that offer a whole lot. We lived in Naperville for years and I love its downtown area, but it's where EVERYONE goes - it's that or just car-retail or houses.

I think the only way to really duplicate Lincoln Square is to be a similar neighborhood within a larger city. Like if NYC had a neighborhood like that, or even a smaller, old city like Cleveland, Pittsburgh or Philly. Someone mentioned Buffalo might have a similar spot. I could see that.

In LS, I could walk to Andersonville in 20 minutes, or stroll down Lincoln into North Center and all the stuff there. Or take the train 10 minutes and hit Southport. I can be in River North in 20-25 minutes without my car. The whole proximity factor to other, interesting places is really huge.

[Master Jay]

Kmanshouse, ok I need to be clearer, then.

The OP I believe was asking for an area LIKE Lincoln Square. Well, I named 2 cities that have a downtown that give me that vibe (Libertyville, the most, by far).

But you are correct, if the Lincoln Square equivalent must have a similar vibe AND be connected to/in an actual city, then my suggestions clearly would be out voted.

THEN, I guess you'd have to name a close Chicago neighborhood like North Center or Andersonville, and you'll have a closer comparison.

[Kmanshouse]

I think there are likely several suburban business districts that have a similar look and even potentially feel of LS. So in that part, you're probably right. But the absence of being within a big city (kind of this oasis) makes it feel a bit hollow, at least to me. But others may feel more like you do.

[Master Jay]

Kmanshouse, good morning.

I tell you what is beautiful in this world.. When you can "have the best of both worlds"; When you can "have your cake and eat it, too."

So let's celebrate that we DO have our beloved Lincoln Square AND our Libertyville, AND our wherevers we have that same feel.

[mwj119]

The east coast does this pretty well compared to most midwestern cities outside of Chicagoland.

Price aside, places like Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline outside of Boston have the dynamic you’re looking for. Would you consider moving that far East?

I imagine Royal Oak outside of Detroit is a more reasonable option, both geographically and financially. Take a hard look there.

[personone]

Originally Posted by mwj119

The east coast does this pretty well compared to most midwestern cities outside of Chicagoland.

Price aside, places like Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline outside of Boston have the dynamic you’re looking for. Would you consider moving that far East?

I imagine Royal Oak outside of Detroit is a more reasonable option, both geographically and financially. Take a hard look there.

In the Midwest, I would add Birmingham (Detroit suburb near Royal Oak). Clayton and University City are St. Louis suburbs that would be even more urban and closer to Lincoln Square imo.

https://youtu.be/0NMJDB_rwwQ