Picking the best neighborhood in Chicago is like choosing the best restaurant in the city—there’s so many to choose from, and everyone has different tastes. It’s a tough task, but earlier this year we decided to use data to do just that. Weighing metrics like affordability, amenities, transit access and walkability, and school ratings, we generated a list of the The Best Neighborhoods in Chicago.

No. 1 on the list? Uptown.

This North Side neighborhood has an entertainment district with some of the city’s favorite concert venues; an enviable collection of restaurants, including the Asia on Argyle strip; plenty of park space; and ample access to public transit. With a resume like that, you’d probably expect a pretty high price for settling here, but Uptown is surprisingly affordable.

Here’s some of the reasons why Uptown earned the distinction as Chicago’s top neighborhood.

Uptown Chicago
Uptown Chicago

Affordable Lakefront Living

Chicago has no shortage of lakefront neighborhoods, thanks to its long stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. Many residents gravitate toward these communities for the view and the beaches. Given their popularity, many of the neighborhoods on the lake (particularly those with a reasonable commute to the Loop) tend to be on the pricier side.

Uptown is a convenient spot for downtown workers, and the median home sale price is only $289,749, according to neighborhoods.com. With that reasonable median, and a wide range of prices above and below that, comes access to the Lakefront Trail, Montrose Beach, and Montrose Dog Beach.

Uptown residents can take in the view on the popular lakefront path, go swimming at the beach, and frequent one of the city’s most popular off-leash dog runs without paying an exorbitant price for their home.

Walkable Entertainment

Chicago is a city of blues and jazz, but as one of the largest cities in the country, it also attracts artists from nearly any genre imaginable. If you are in the mood to dance or to just sit and listen, Uptown is one of the best neighborhoods to do so.

The Riviera Theatre (known mostly as the Riv), Aragon Ballroom, and The Green Mill are all within walking distance of one another. The Riv and Aragon host concerts from all manner of artists, from well-known names to more obscure groups with a dedicated following.

Meanwhile, The Green Mill, a vestige of Chicago’s Al Capone days, still stands as one of the best places to sip on cocktails and see live jazz in the city. There have also been rumblings about restoring the Uptown Theatre to its former glory, but efforts continue to stall.

If listening to live music isn’t enough, you can scoot over to the Uptown Lounge, a venerable bar known for its karaoke nights, and get behind the microphone.

Good Food

Uptown has plenty of grocery stores, including an ALDI and a handful of smaller shops, but its options for dining out can make it hard to commit to meal prepping. Asia on Argyle is a collection of Chinese and Southeast Asian restaurants and shops, which gives residents their choice of eateries for noodles, pho, dumplings, and stir fry, to name just a few dishes.

If shared plate meals are your style, Ethiopian restaurant Demera will put together an impressive spread with beef, chicken, lamb, fish, and vegetarian options. Uptown is also no stranger to brunch. Tweet has a charming and cozy atmosphere and a delightfully exhaustive menu that covers all of the breakfast favorites (plus gluten-free options).

Wide, Open Space

While much of the neighborhood feels dense—major streets like Broadway and Sheridan are lined with stores and restaurants, and many residential streets are packed with attached homes—Uptown still gives its residents plenty of space to breath.

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary on the lake has hundreds of different species of birds and quiet spots to observe them. Even if you aren’t an experienced birder, the natural and preserved space is a welcome break from skyscrapers and concrete.

Near the center of the neighborhood, you’ll find St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. While eerie to some, the protected greenspace is a peaceful island in the middle of an otherwise voluble and busy neighborhood. 

Both the bird sanctuary and cemetery are places for a quieter outdoor experience, but Uptown also has a collection of parks for residents to meet friends, play with their kids, and exercise. Chase Park has an outdoor pool for the summer months and a wide range of sports leagues. Clarendon Community Center Park has a playground, an area for dogs to play, sports fields, a basketball court, and a field house.

Transit Accessibility

Some of Chicago’s picturesque and attractive neighborhoods suffer from a lack of public transit options, leaving residents to rely heavily on biking and driving to get around. Uptown has the benefit of three Red Line stations, one of which also serves as a transfer point for the Purple Line.

The Red Line runs parallel to two of the neighborhood’s major streets: North Broadway and Sheridan Road. When you hop off at any stop, you are within easy walking distance of something to do and likely not too far from home. More than 10 bus lines will take you to wherever the train can’t. Plus, the neighborhood is easy to traverse on foot. Walk Score gives it a walkability ranking of 91 out of 100.

If you do happen to drive, parking might be a little tricky in this dense neighborhood, but Lakeshore Drive serves as a quick way to get around Chicago.

Uptown is subject to ongoing revitalization efforts and new development, which could continue to spark interest in the neighborhood and let more people in on just how much it has to offer.