Neighborhood advice - possibly moving to Chicago (Lincoln, Grant Park: rent, home)

[Vlajos]

I personally don't like Lakeshore East, but I have three relatives that have all sold their suburban homes and bought in three different buildings there.

[marothisu]

That's because Lakeshore East is like a high rise suburban gated community in the middle of a city.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by eating while walking

When I was new to the city I wandered into there at night trying to find a pedestrian path across the river. Talk about a labyrinth. The whole place is cut off from the Chicago street grid and elevated in weird ways... it's like its own little self contained arcology. It took me a while to find my way out because it was such a ghost town that there was no one to ask for directions. Definitely not my favorite part of the city.

You described it perfectly. (Emphasis added.) It definitely made me never want to go there again, let alone live there.

I don't know what the occupancy rate is for their residential units, but their storefronts on ground level were almost all vacant last time I was there. I can only imagine what it would be like to have an office or store there and have to try to explain to clients/customers how to get there.

[Ace Rothstein]

I think Lakeshore East originally was supposed to have more high rises instead of the townhomes. I may be completely off on that though I'm not sure it would have made much of a difference. Generally when a community/neighborhood is planned as much as LE was, it doesn't have the same character as those that grew organically.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Ace Rothstein

I think Lakeshore East originally was supposed to have more high rises instead of the townhomes

What? Lakeshore East is almost all high rises

[Ace Rothstein]

Originally Posted by marothisu

What? Lakeshore East is almost all high rises

I seem to recall a more densely packed area in the original site plan. That was 10+ years ago though and I don't have the greatest memory.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Ace Rothstein

I seem to recall a more densely packed area in the original site plan. That was 10+ years ago though and I don't have the greatest memory.

There are more lots to be developed there for sure, but I think some companies just kind of ran out of funding. I don't think townhomes were ever in the works for there, or that many at least.

If you go here, you can see a list of buildings including proposed ones. There's 6 highrises on there that were never built. That doesn't mean they won't be built - I'm sure more will be (and the GEMS school is under construction now too).
Lakeshore East - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[extractable]

What about near Hamlin Park?

[Freefall18]

Originally Posted by extractable

What about near Hamlin Park?

I think the more eastern part of Lincoln Park (perhaps near Oz park) will be better for what you're looking for. And there's easier access to the Loop on the eastern side.

[extractable]

How about West Diversey east of Damen?