River West & West Loop (Lincoln, Madison: condos, neighborhoods, buy)

[pianogal34]

Can I get some input on living in these areas? It appears the pricing of condos is pretty good around there these days..
Looking for info on:
Safety?
Restaurants/Bars?
Conveniences such as grocery stores, public transit, etc...?
General age groups?

thanks!

[Jandur]

One of my co-workers lives in the west loop and he loves it. It's more affordable than some of the other neighborhoods and a little less congested. He lives at Racine and Madison and safety over there isn't an issue. When you go a mile or two west then it starts to get a little iffy.

It seems like most people that live there are a little older and wanting to still live in the city without dealing with the craziness that comes with Lakeview or Lincoln Park. Plus you can buy a nice for a reasonable price and still be a 10 minute bus ride from work in the Loop.

I don't hang out there much but there are plenty of bars and restaurants. The streets aren't flooded on Saturday nights but its not a ghost town either. It's a good balance of things.

[chet everett]

I think Jandur has a pretty good handle on the pluses. Lots and lots of rather nice resturants, though not as much of a "walk from your lovely home" feel as you might get in Lincoln Square nor is it as much of an upscale feel as Lincoln Park.

The over hang of over building is a big deal that makes some buildings un-financeable (like much of South Loop), but that also means some places truly do sell for less than the cost of replacement. If you shop for a place with a garage or off street parking you can really get some terrific value with distressed sellers...

[pianogal34]

Originally Posted by Jandur

It seems like most people that live there are a little older and wanting to still live in the city without dealing with the craziness that comes with Lakeview or Lincoln Park. Plus you can buy a nice for a reasonable price and still be a 10 minute bus ride from work in the Loop.
.

thanks- that's exactly what we are looking for. i'm 37 (hubby is 43) and we lived in Lakeview for many years, so while we still like to go out, we're up for a little bit quieter of a neighborhood.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by pianogal34

thanks- that's exactly what we are looking for. i'm 37 (hubby is 43) and we lived in Lakeview for many years, so while we still like to go out, we're up for a little bit quieter of a neighborhood.

It's probably a good spot then. Like Chet said there is plenty to do. The only "downside" is that you probably wont walk outside your door and have 20 stores at your disposal. At the same time if you do have a car, its so much easier to drive around there.

[snoylekim]

I live in the area .. we have a Dominicks and a Jewel, and a 24 Hour Walgreens , plenty of restaurants in the Fulton market, Randolph, and Greektown corridors ..very safe .. Demographic is comfortable to affluent plus well educated , and as stated before, a bit more mature without being geriatric .. The West Loop wasn't as overbuilt as the South Loop, but there are plenty of bargains .. I would be in the West Loop -Fulton Gate area, which is the eastern flank ... You're close to the 'action' without living in the 'action' 24 x 7 ..