How to be a Good Neighbor in Chicago
We all know the basic courtesies of being a neighbor, but moving anywhere new comes with unspoken rules. Instead of making a Chicago faux pas, get the lowdown on how to be a good neighbor from move-in day onward.
Moving Day
Chicago is a city of alleys—1,900 miles of them to be exact. If possible, make use of those alleyways on move-in day. Your neighbors will thank you for not blocking their narrow residential street with a hulking moving truck. Many condo buildings, townhomes, and single-family homes have a back entrance off of an alley. If you are moving into a condo on an upper floor, check with your building about elevator usage. You may need to reserve a time slot, or you might be able to use a utility elevator. You are more likely to get a warm welcome on the block or in your building if you don’t put a major roadblock—or elevator jam—in your neighbors’ day.
Garbage Cans
Speaking of alleys, most residents of Chicago are accustomed to heading out back to toss their trash and recycling. Most of us take an out-of-sight-out-of-mind approach to our garbage, which is fine as long as you dispose of it properly. If you leave open trash bags or don’t close the lid to the bins, you are inviting a different kind of neighbor to make themselves right at home: rats. The apartment site RentHop even named Chicago the nation’s rat capital. These furry pests are an inevitability of living in any major urban area, but do your part as a good neighbor to keep them at bay.
Parking
Parking in Chicago can be tricky. Nearly anywhere downtown, in spots like the Loop and River North, you can almost guarantee you will be paying for parking on the street or in a garage. In the more residential neighborhoods, you can find free street parking, but you need to be aware of zoned parking. Approximately 20 percent of Chicago is covered in residential parking zones, according to the Chicago Tribune. You’ll need to get a City Sticker to avoid pricy parking tickets in your zone—and make no mistake; the meter maids will find your car.
Finding parking is serious business in Chicago, but it becomes a whole other issue during the winter months. When the city gets is obligatory deluge of snow, residential street parking becomes a workout with shovels and frozen fingers. A lot of people will stake out those carved out parking spaces with chairs, signs, and nearly anything else you can think of. Does “parking dibs” make you a bad neighbor? It depends on who you ask, but you can bet getting caught moving a parking marker will land you in someone’s bad graces.
Fireworks
The 4th of July is a major celebration in the city. Navy Pier sets off fireworks on the lake, people barbecue, and neighbors across the city set off their own fireworks displays. Fireworks are actually banned here, but that won’t stop people from setting them off everywhere around the city. The pops and flashes of color lighting up the night sky are beautiful. But, your neighbors do want to sleep at some point, and pets can only handle so much. Keep the neighbors in mind if you’re tempted to set off a firecracker at 3 a.m. on what is no longer the 4th, but actually July 5.
Community Gardens
Being a good neighbor isn’t just about what not to do. It can also mean getting involved in your community. If you are looking for a way to do that, community gardens are a good start; the Chicago Park District helps support dozens of them across the city. Some neighborhoods even have more than one community garden. For example, Rogers Park has Goldberg Gardens, Morse Ave. Circles, and Loyola Hedge Garden. Community gardens beautify their neighborhoods and provide fresh produce for residents.
Embrace Local Businesses
Finding tiny boutiques, restaurants from food across the globe, and your favorite coffee shop is one of the best parts of living in a city. You can help keep those small businesses open for you and your neighbors by supporting them with your patronage. For example, Avondale residents can eat at La Nonna, a small Argentinian restaurant tucked away on a residential street. If you need an excuse to shop local, celebrate Small Business Saturday, which takes place every year after Thanksgiving and Black Friday.