24th & Oakley vs. Harlem & North (Chicago, Oak Park: neighborhoods, living)

[scottl333]

I am thinking about these two areas in two different parts of the city. What do you guys think are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Both are Italian neighborhoods with good restaurants. I want to live in a Italian area. Any other suggestions? Thanks

[Drover]

24th and Oakley is a pretty tiny island in a sea of urban uncertainty. I personally like that spot. The immediate area is pretty safe, but it gets a little iffier just a few blocks in just about any direction except south. It's also rather convenient to downtown via public transportation if that's a concern. It also has a much more urban feel than North and Harlem, which has more of an inner-suburban feel. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, the North/Harlem corner is where Chicago smashes head-on into inner suburbia, with Oak Park on the southeast corner, River Forest on the southwest corner, Melrose Park on the northwest corner, and Chicago on the northeast corner. So I guess the answer depends on whether you're more comfortable with a more inner-city setting with easy access to downtown and the urban nightlife, or whether you'd rather be in a more suburban-type setting not quite so close to the uban grit but not as close to the urban nightlife. Your call.

Another Italian area to consider is any portion of Taylor Street between Halsted and Western Avenues, a good chunk of which comprises the Little Italy district.

[mdz]

Elmwood park is the NW corner. Everything else you said stands true.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by mdz

Elmwood park is the NW corner. Everything else you said stands true.

Ah yes, wrong "Park."

[scottl333]

thanks for the info. I know about Taylor street and like it but I just dont think I would want to live there with all the students. By Dad is from there and it just not what it used to be. I still go there for the restuarants which I love.

Would you say 24th and Oakly still has a lot of Italians living there? I love the old neighborhood feel of it. But it is only a block or two. I agree, around Harlem and North it has a very suburban feel and that is something I do not like.

[Drover]

I wouldn't say there's "a lot" of Italians at 24th and Oakley. There is a fairly high concentration along that two-block stretch but it is mostly a Mexican neighborhood.