How is the area around Western & Archer?

[RH3Flatlander]

McKinley Park is going to be the next big Hipster neighborhood. I think there's some already moving in (real Hipsters, not Wicker/Ukrainian Village Yupsters).

Lindy's Chilli is the best aspect of the neighborhood right now.

[Irishtom29]

I know hipsters who live there now. But they're Polish and Mexican-Irish, are from the neighborhood and are unaware they're hipsters. Now you can't get more hip than that.

[ChiNaan]

McKinley Park: Sleepy, residential, family-oriented. Extremely few dining or nightlife options. A few big stores (like Target, Dominick's, and Jewel-Osco) and strip malls. Really nice big park by city standards. In another recent thread I said it felt suburban to me because of all these things. Nobody appeared to agree with me, but I stand by it.

I don't think I've ever seen a single "hipster" there. I guess a few could be trickling over from Pilsen or Bridgeport by now (I haven't really spent time there in almost a year), but it's difficult for me to imagine. It has none of the things hipsters would want, except cheap housing and an El line.

[jonnynonos]

It really depends on your situation. If it's 100 percent driven by cost and you just need a place to crash, or you want to be left alone while you work on the great American novel, by all means. On the other hand I can't think of a single reason anyone not from the area would want to live right there.

Although, it does have a pretty distinct vibe IMO; you know you are in a "real" Chicago neighborhood. So if that is your bag, go for it.

[jonnynonos]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

McKinley Park: Sleepy, residential, family-oriented. Extremely few dining or nightlife options. A few big stores (like Target, Dominick's, and Jewel-Osco) and strip malls. Really nice park. In another recent thread I said it felt suburban to me because of all these things. Nobody appeared to agree with me, but I stand by it.

I don't think I've ever seen a single "hipster" there. I guess a few could be trickling over from Pilsen or Bridgeport by now (I haven't really spent time there in almost a year), but it's difficult for me to imagine. It has none of the things hipsters would want, except cheap housing and an El line.

There are a few. I've read their blogs. LOL. But it's certainly not a "hipster" vibe.

Though I suppose gangbangers might be considered hipsters. I actually had a friend who I had this discussion with. She got dumped by a dirty hipster and I said she has to lower her bar to thugs, and we decided that thugs might be the new hipsters.

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

It really depends on your situation. If it's 100 percent driven by cost and you just need a place to crash, or you want to be left alone while you work on the great American novel, by all means. On the other hand I can't think of a single reason anyone not from the area would want to live right there.

And that basically sums up the entire City-Data Chicago board, doesn't it? Thousands of people from small midwestern towns all trying to cram into the same few northside neighborhoods, then complaining because they can't find a place they can afford and have to slum it with the immigrants way up in Old Irving Park.

Meanwhile the people FROM Chicago have no problems paying their rent, because they're not trying to impress anyone with their address.

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

Meanwhile the people FROM Chicago have no problems paying their rent, because they're not trying to impress anyone with their address.