The 9 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Chicago

Chicago—The City in a Garden. The first things that may come to mind when thinking of this city, and rightfully so, are deep dish pizza and skyscrapers. However, we can't fail to mention the impressive and historic park system that makes the third largest city in the States an urban wonder.

Home to over 2.7 million residents and counting, this trendy, happening city is bursting with rich history and buzzing with culture, art, and some of the best food to grace your plate.

Chicago is one of the best places for city-wide events, festivals, art galleries, and museums. A true melting pot of history and culture, you can find happiness and a place to belong whether you’re a sports fanatic, a foodie, a nature lover, an art or music connoisseur, or all of the above!

Although Chicago definitely earns its world-famous nickname as the ‘Windy City’, the intense and often harsh winter could never freeze the midwestern friendliness that lives in the heart of every Chicagoan. In fact, some say the extreme winters make the warm summer that much better.

In order to help you find a place for you that fits as snuggly as those gloves you’ll be needing in the winter, we’ve compiled a list of the top nine unique, trendy, and lively neighborhoods that make up the heart and soul of Chicago.

What's more, we've built a ranking system for each one to help you make this big decision. We’re ranking:

• Atmosphere: nightlife & entertainment, shopping & restaurants, and beauty & parks

• Amenities: schools, public transit, and points of interest

• Experience: safety, affordability, and walkability

The end result is a prioritized list of the best places to move to in Chicago, Illinois.

Why should you listen to us? We've been building top rental experiences– tall enough to rival the Chicago skyline– across the USA for a long time. We’ve picked up a thing or two along the way!

Perfect for young professionals looking for a family-friendly, safe, and luxury lifestyle.

West Loop repeatedly ranks as one of Chicago's most walkable neighborhoods. As a centralized location, it’s the perfect place if you want to kick it downtown.

West Loop prides itself on a vintage and industrial aesthetic with contemporary, high-end amenities. Think exposed brick walls and unbeatable views.

Once a former industrial zone, West Loop is now growing at a rapid rate which means construction everywhere—all the time. The upside of all the construction: new restaurants, businesses, and living opportunities popping up like daisies. The downside: constant change, less trees, more concrete, and there is always a road closure somewhere affecting traffic.

West Loop has fantastic public schools and is also home to one of the best high schools in the nation, Whitney Young High School. The schools, along with the pet friendly environment, the bike-ability, and our 5-star Safety rating make this neighborhood a dream for family life.

West Loop is also a foodie's paradise, bursting with eateries that have turned many of the city's old warehouses into the trendiest restaurants in the city. As you’re eating your way through the famous Restaurant Row don’t miss Oriole, Japanese cuisine that dishes out a jaw-dropping 13-course meal.

This neighborhood has easy access to all major highways, great connection to the airport, and 5-Stars on our Public Transit score, making it stress-free to get anywhere you need to go.

With all of the advantages that come with living in West Loop, it's no wonder that it comes in as the most expensive neighborhood in Chicago scoring a 1 in our Affordability category. This hotspot is one of the hippest and safest neighborhoods in Chicago, with endless options for a high-quality life—if you can afford it.

West Loop's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals looking for a chilled environment close to downtown.

Fun fact: Bucktown gets its name from its original settlers—mainly Polish immigrants who were known to keep goats. ‘Buck’ being a common nickname for goats, led to Bucktown and the name has stuck for over two centuries.

Bucktown is considered an up-and-coming neighborhood. However, in comparison to its counterparts, Bucktown is known as a more intimate, quieter neighborhood removed from the fast pace of downtown—an ideal place to raise a family or actually get some sleep from time to time.

A typical commute to the Loop from Bucktown takes about thirty to forty minutes on public transport and about ten to fifteen minutes by car in those rare traffic-free times. Don’t let all of that peace and quiet fool you, Bucktown still knows how to have a good time. The area scores a five in both Nightlife & Entertainment and a five in Safety—giving you the best of both worlds.

For those who love to be outside, you can enjoy access to Chicago's newest park, The 606, a nearly 3-mile recreational trail following an abandoned, elevated railway line with refreshing greenspace.

Looking to pick up a new hobby? Make sure to pass by the brand new, giant Whirlyball complex and try out Whirly ball—a sport unique to Chicago that involves bumper cars, a ball, and wild time.

If you’re looking for great food, inspiring art, theater, and packed weekends then Bucktown is the perfect place for you.

Bucktown's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest:📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for trendy young professionals who want to be surrounded by world-class art and live in one of the most cultured neighborhoods in Chicago.

High style, higher fashion, and sky scraping high rises make River North a cut above the rest. This go-to spot for art and design lovers, is bursting with sleek art galleries and has quietly become home to the largest concentration of art galleries outside of Manhattan.

Situated on the Chicago River, River North and Marina City dominate the cultural and architectural scene with must-see spots, including the House of Blues Chicago—a stunning music hall modeled after the Estavovski Opera House in Prague.

River North offers a more limited access to greenspace compared to some of the other neighborhoods in Chicago. However, for those looking to get their time outside, check out the 3.1 acres of greenspace in Ward Park located along the north branch of the river.

What River North lacks in greenspace, it makes up for in trendy nightlife, cultural activities, and great access to public transportation. Cultured by day, get prepared to turn up at night if you live in River North as it is undoubtedly one of the hottest spots for singles in all of Chicago.

When in River North, make sure to steer clear of the large chain restaurants and take advantage of the local options that live up to the hype. Treat yourself to the classic, original deep-dish pizza from Pizza Uno or some of the best hotdogs in Chicago at Portillo’s.

This neighborhood has everything from the only comedy club in downtown, to museums, to art shows, to arguably the biggest gym in Chicago that takes up two full city blocks! There is something here to tickle everyone´s fancy—believe us, it can get very fancy.

River North & Marina City's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals looking for an artsy, eclectic neighborhood filled with culture and great art.

The Wicker Park and West Town neighborhoods give a hip, urban-suburban feel with one-of-a-kind boutique shops, record stores, art galleries, book stores, performance venues, and a popping craft cocktail scene.

Here you’ll find people from all walks of life: trendy hipsters, working artists, business professionals—you name it. Wicker Park is an eclectic melting pot of great urban art, both inside the galleries and out on the streets.

Wicker Park is one of the city’s up-and-coming hotspots where you can discover cool taprooms, funky museums, vintage shops, trendy music clubs, and specialty stores.

A diverse mashup of people from all backgrounds provides a fresh background and depth to any lifestyle in the neighborhood.

Looking for a place to expand your cultural horizons? Check out the Ukrainian Village, The Polish Museum of America, or the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, and travel the world without ever leaving your neighborhood.

Wicker Park and West Town have a dynamic restaurant scene perfect for impressing your in-laws when they come to town. Highlights include Bonci for pizza that has locations and origins in Rome, Kazuki for fantastic ramen and Antique Tacos for farmer’s market-style tacos made from scratch.

Here in Wicker Park, you will find a little bit of everything. Even though the most famous Chicago attractions are located outside the neighborhood, Wicker Park is the perfect place to become a local with your own favorite go-to spots amidst the hip global dining options. Enjoy that coveted Brooklyn feel, surrounded by incredible street art and prepare to meet people from all over the world.

West Town & Wicker Park's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for the active, young professionals looking for the best nightlife in the city.

Located on the north side of Chicago, Lake View is a commuter's dream, with a close proximity to downtown and easy public transportation. Lake View is named after the spectacular views of Lake Michigan, just a block away, and offers a classic urban city life with an unbeatable nightlife scene.

There’s something for everyone in Lake View, from the wild drag shows in Boystown to Wrigley´s baseball and country bars—you won’t even have to leave your neighborhood to find a good time.

Speaking of Wrigleyville and baseball, welcome to the home of the Chicago Cubs. Despite having notoriously bad luck, the Cubs draw in a huge and loyal fanbase that really know how to enjoy the ivy-covered walls of the second oldest baseball stadium in the Majors. Be prepared for the neighborhood to transform on game days and you might as well forget about parking!

Make sure to check out Boystown, one of the most energetic and vivacious LGBTQI+ communities in the entire United States. It’s a great destination for anyone who enjoys a high-energy nightlife and is arguably one of the best in Chicago—full of wild, uninhibited fun for everyone.

Even with all the hype, incredibly enough, Lakeview still scores a 4 in Affordability and 5 in Safety! This diverse, welcoming, and active community is great for art, shopping, culture, and tons of local restaurants and bars all within walking distance.

Lakeview has a fresh and laid back vibe with the majority of people being in their 20's and 30's. Come enjoy one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city and join the growing crowd of young professionals, couples, and young families looking for a quality life with plenty of weekend fun.

Lakeview's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest:📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals looking to live in the middle of all the action of downtown Chicago.

Streeterville is a favorite Chicago neighborhood for downtown residents and tourists alike. Bursting with both people and things to do, this bustling and buzzing area has everything—and we mean everything—that the city of Chicago has to offer.

Streeterville is located just north of downtown and borders Lake Michigan on the East. This huge access to the Lake offers spectacular sunrises, refreshing lakeside breezes in the summertime, and Illinois’ most visited attraction—the iconic Navy Pier.

Chicago’s Navy Pier is jam-packed with so much to do that anyone of any age could easily spend the entire day enjoying all of the attractions. Families won’t want to miss the Children’s Museum, the Crystal Gardens, and the spectacular views from the nearly 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel.

Become a local and head over to Winter’s Jazz Club to hear live Jazz music six nights a week. Check out free summer Tuesdays at the Museum of Contemporary Art or challenge your friends to an intense game of indoor Bocce Ball at Pinstripes. The choice is yours.

Although public transport is definitely present in this neighborhood, due to the sheer volume of people moving around, it can get very busy at certain times of the day. So, make sure to strategically schedule those afterwork drinks to avoid the crowds.

Streeterville basically defines downtown urban living and thanks to the close proximity to some of the major employers in Chicago, you will encounter endless high-rise apartments and business professionals getting in on the hustle and bustle of downtown life.

This downtown area is so much more than a concrete jungle—it’s full of several green parks and sandy beaches that give a unique connection to nature in the middle of all the action.

Streeterville's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest:📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals looking for convenience, things to do, and easy access to business opportunities.

Located smack dab in the heart of downtown, the Loop is considered by many as the heartbeat of Chicago. Situated on the Chicago River, this neighborhood sets the standard for convenience and luxury.

With a perfect 5-Star rating in Walkability and Public Transit, The Loop actually gets its name from the elevated ‘L Train’ that literally loops around the boundaries of the neighborhood. We see what they did there.

Living in the Loop gives you unbeatable access to some of Chicago’s best cultural institutions. That, along with the unique public parks, delicious dining, and public transportation to get you anywhere else in the city, makes the Loop ideal for the young professional looking to maximize their free time.

Wander along the-mile-long Chicago Riverwalk, hit up the seasonal festivals and the numerous free events in Daley Plaza, check out the 103rd floor glass viewing Ledge in the Willis Tower, or explore the gorgeous 319 acres of Grant Park- filled with cultural attractions and annual events such as ´The Taste of Chicago´ and ´Lollapalooza´.

Tons of stores and services make it super easy to get whatever you need without having to rely on a car, giving you more time to enjoy those precious evenings after work. You just can’t beat the convenience of the Loop.

The Loop is close to the commercial core of Chicago, the second largest commercial business district in North America—perfect for those young professionals looking to climb the corporate ladder.

This vibrant and fun neighborhood does calm down towards the evening and offers a relaxed environment for those looking to get some rest before getting back on the grind the next morning.

The Loop is one of the most attractive locations in the city for major businesses and visitors alike. There is absolutely a good reason why all tracks in Chicago lead to the Loop.

The Loop's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest:📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals looking to settle down and start a family with all the benefits of city-living.

Named after the largest park in Chicago, the Lincoln Park neighborhood is considered by many as one of the city's most desirable areas to live. Only a mile from downtown and right on the lakefront, this neighborhood is one of the most popular for a reason.

Location, location, location. The Lincoln Park and Old Town neighborhood offers fantastic access to Lincoln Park, a sprawling 8km of gorgeous greenspace. Spend your time exploring nature or participating in the numerous recreational activities on offer—including beach volleyball, a skate park, archery, a driving range, and so much more.

In addition to the Lake and the park, you’ve got the Chicago History Museum, the Nature Museum, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, North Pond, Green City Farmers Market, North Pond, and the top beaches in Chicago all located right around the Lincoln Park neighborhood… Enough to keep even the most avid explorers plenty busy.

This charming neighborhood is full of personality and scores a perfect 5-star rating in Walkability and Public Transit. Lincoln Park also has fantastic schools and an excellent Safety rating in our books that make it the perfect place to raise kids, without sacrificing the perks of living in the city.

Considered one of the most affluent neighborhoods of Chicago, Lincoln Park definitely lives up to the hype in all it has to offer- including one of Chicago's most iconic restaurants: a Michelin starred restaurant called Boka. Get ready to enjoy a vibrant entertainment and nightlife scene, packed full of options for every taste.

The in-demand location and gorgeous skyline does come with a price tag so keep that in mind as you plan to enjoy all that this hip neighborhood has to offer.

Lincoln Park & Old Town's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest:📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals looking to live in one of the wealthiest historical neighborhoods in all of the country.

Welcome to Chicago's richest neighborhood; the home of the original playboy mansion and the place to be for the Who's Who of Chicago’s finest.

Located about a mile north of the heart of downtown, this highly desired neighborhood is pretty small, adding to the pride of the lucky few residents who get to call this place home.

The Gold Coast is known for its numerous historical landmarks and legendary mansions. These are just a couple of reasons why the entire Gold Coast District was put on the national register of historic places in 1979.

It’s home to the famous Magnificent Mile, renowned for its luxurious high-end department store shopping and robust restaurant scene.

The Gold Coast and Near North Side area have a nearly perfect score in every category on our list. The tree-lined streets, prestigious houses, and views of the iconic skyline from Oak Street Beach make you feel like you are living in the middle of a fairytale.

Although the Gold Coast is known as one of the most prestigious and affluent neighborhoods in the country, surprisingly, there are still quite a few affordable options that won't break the bank!

So dive into the swanky, magical vibe of the Gold Coast, a neighborhood dripping with charm and full of history with your name on it.

Near North Side & Gold Coast's Rankings:

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃 🚃

• Safety: ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

• Schools: 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍 🛍

• Walkability:🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🚶🏽‍♀️

Time to take a look at the numbers for our top neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois.

First thing's first, affording the Chicago lifestyle isn't cheap as affordability scores a 2.6 overall. So, keep that in mind as you are making those money moves.

However, you definitely get what you're paying for with our Shopping & Restaurants and Nightlife & Entertainment categories, both scoring a dazzling 4.7.

One of the best things about Chicago is the combined high scores of Walkability (4.8) and an impressive 4.7 in Safety. Enjoy the ability to go anywhere and everywhere while feeling safe in comparison to some other big cities in the States.

Public Transit, Beauty & Parks, Points of Interest, and Schools all score higher than a 4, contributing to the fantastic quality of life that Chicago brings to your table. Overall, Chicago comes in at an impressive 41/50 in our best neighborhoods to live in the USA ranking.

If you're looking for a bustling metropolis with character, art, and world-class parks, then join the ranks of the young professionals flocking to take advantage of all that Chicago has to offer.