Grad student moving to Chicago (Lincoln: crime, neighborhoods, school)

[CamRichards]

My husband will be attending U of C in the fall of 09 for Grad school. We'll be relocating from San Diego, California. What neighborhood would be close enough to take public transportation to U of C that is favorable for a young couple in mid-late twenties? I fell in love with Lincoln Park, but I doubt that commute to school could be tolerated for the duration of the program. Any suggestions?

[chet everett]

No reason not to live in Hyde Park.

[ajolotl]

South Loop is your best bet. As many have pointed out on this site, Hyde Park is a fascinating neighborhood but still lacks the urban amenities that are appealing to young people. In other words there is almost nothing to do after 10pm. Some good hangouts in the day, though.

Lincoln Park is not out of the question. I know many people who live there, Wicker Park, etc. and come to HP every day. But the South Loop is especially easy.

[knitgirl]

Hyde Park is a lovely neighborhood. To me, it makes the most sense to live as close as possible to where you will be spending the majority of your time. A commute added on to the intensity of a U of C grad program sounds like a really bad idea. If you want to go out once or twice a week in Lincoln Park, it's easy enough to get there, vs commuting 5+ days a week from LP down to HP.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

Hyde Park is a lovely neighborhood. To me, it makes the most sense to live as close as possible to where you will be spending the majority of your time. A commute added on to the intensity of a U of C grad program sounds like a really bad idea. If you want to go out once or twice a week in Lincoln Park, it's easy enough to get there, vs commuting 5+ days a week from LP down to HP.

I think the key to situations like this are consider where you will spend MOST of your time and what you want to get out of it.

Basically anybody with the talent to get into any grad program at UofC ought to realize that putting aside entertainment options in favor of their work/studies is going to pay off in a big way.

[Big "L"]

Originally Posted by chet everett

No reason not to live in Hyde Park.

Because there are crime-ridden neighborhoods within a few blocks? I don't know what program this guy is doing, but if it's the school of business, most of the students live South Loop-Lincoln Park. I would talk with people in the program that he is joining, but I would recommend South Loop, as others in this thread have.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Big "L"

Because there are crime-ridden neighborhoods within a few blocks? I don't know what program this guy is doing, but if it's the school of business, most of the students live South Loop-Lincoln Park. I would talk with people in the program that he is joining, but I would recommend South Loop, as others in this thread have.

You'd be exposed to more crime opportunities commuting to and from Hyde Park than you would be if you just lived there. Hyde Park is a great neighborhood with plenty of cool urban ammenities. There just isn't much nightlife to speak of. I think the South Loop is a good choice... or even the Loop itself.

[Big "L"]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

You'd be exposed to more crime opportunities commuting to and from Hyde Park than you would be if you just lived there.

I respectfully disagree. I know several grad students who commute there from LP. Granted, they drive. If they were going to take mass transit the entire way, the fastest (and safest) bet, would be taking a bus to downtown and then the Metra Electric Line. There is no way in hell I would take the Green Line. I think South Loop is the best option.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Big "L"

I respectfully disagree. I know several grad students who commute there from LP. Granted, they drive. If they were going to take mass transit the entire way, the fastest (and safest) bet, would be taking a bus to downtown and then the Metra Electric Line. There is no way in hell I would take the Green Line. I think South Loop is the best option.

Well you know there is the Lakeview Express bus ( that stops in Lincoln Park,Gold Coast,etc...) to the U of C as well. Why it only runs northbound and not south bound ( and does not have a longer schedule) I will never know the reasons...

http://www.transitchicago.com/assets...edules/173.pdf

[Big "L"]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Well you know there is the Lakeview Express bus to the U of C.

http://www.transitchicago.com/assets...edules/173.pdf

I didn't know that

But no Southbound service? What gives?