inquiry about Gold Coast (Chicago, Lincoln: lease, homes, neighborhood)

[cmoss5056]

I am considering moving to the Gold Coast area. Can someone provide me with some information about this community?

[marothisu]

I live in the Gold Coast. It's a mix of high rises and some low rises too (i.e. some old mansions and huge row old homes). The area's rent is not cheap although there are some cheap options. On average it's on par with or slightly below River North and Streeterville. The areas north of Division street are pretty quiet and boring. while south of there it's a little better and more commerce around.

On average it is an older crowd although that's been changing for a little bit and there's a number of people who live there in their 20s (post college) but I'd say the average age is low to mid 30s. The food options there are okay but not as versatile as some other parts of town, but again that's improving a little. There's a few nightlife scenes - one is division street which is mainly more college esque where the bars and food places stay open until 4am or 5am every night most of the time. Not far away from that is the Viagra Triangle which is an older scene with a number of different people but it's a more "be seen" type of area in a way. There's bars, lounges, etc mixed in other areas. Also a good amount of shopping on Rush and Oak Streets but it's more upscale (i.e. Prada, Hermes, etc) with a few midrange stuff mixed in (i.e. Madewell).

Things are more expensive there on average though including food. It's a mainly bland area of town for food with a few hidden gems if you know your stuff.

I like the area, but I will admit that there isn't as much variety in things as there should be, but I feel as if that may be changing a little bit.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by cmoss5056

I am considering moving to the Gold Coast area. Can someone provide me with some information about this community?

It's one of Australia's best leisure areas.

[rvernsey]

I have been living in Gold Coast for about 9 months now, having never lived in Chicago. It's geographically well located being close to Lincoln Park, Old Town, River North and Streeterville/Michigan Ave and the beach. Shockingly the red line stop at Clark and Division is a little slice of the South Side. Hand to hand drug deals, homeless, bootleg cd's, etc. in a strip right between two very nice parts of town. Bars and restaurants are okay, I find myself wandering to another neighborhood most of the time. Shopping is good, both retail, grocery and convenience. Street parking is brutal and rents are not cheap. If it makes sense geographically as it did for me with work and lakefront jogging it might make sense for you. I'll probably move north or northwest if I don't move to Streeterville when my lease is up.