Southport Corridor

I've lived in Lakeview for the past year. The adorable boutiques, artisanal culture, and exotic restaurants initially drew my wife and me to the neighborhood. It seems as though there's always a new area to explore (and the sidewalks are on point!). Confession time: my wife and I are "foodies." We are always on top of the "online forums" suggesting hot new eateries. While Lakeview has an ever-growing number of exciting restaurants, they're always so darn crowded! My wife and I are very busy with skyrocketing careers and three infant sons. We don't always have the time, patience, or energy to wait in long lines for a table. I sometimes feel out of place and concerned about my aging wife. Overall Lakeview is an exciting, safe, and bustling pocket of Chicago to live. It can be a bit hectic for a family with three strong infant sons.

I've lived in multiple different pocket neighborhoods within Lakeview, so I know the area really well. Because it's one of the largest neighborhoods in the city, there's a little bit for everyone–– Wrigleyville is great for a younger crowd of college kids and new grads, while West Lakeview and Southport Corridor area attracts young professionals and families. There are a ton of great bars, restaurants, and shops–– you always have plenty of new options to try, but there are also so many great neighborhood standbys. And I love the green spaces: there are plenty of parks, playgrounds, and just good nature spots to read a book or have a picnic. Great place to live overall!

Lakeview is a charming and livable area for numerous reasons, so many that sometimes I forget there is a world outside of my hood (But as the reviewer below stated, there are so many neighborhoods nearby if you want to branch out a bit more). There are fantastic restaurants, bars, retail stores, neighborhood festivals, and of course, the lake. I would rate this neighborhood high because of the basic fact that it's easy to get anywhere from here. The CTA has express buses that get you downtown in no time, the redline, and the lakefront path for biking to work if that's your thing. I've lived here for almost 3 years and love it!