Chicago isn’t just for those without children. If you and your family are moving to the Windy City, you will find many great neighborhoods that are just perfect for families. These neighborhoods are also convenient to all the city has to offer. Here are the top 5 family neighborhoods in Chicago (in no particular order):
1. Beverly
If you would like to live in Chicago but reside in a neighborhood with a small-town atmosphere, you should consider Beverly. It is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city while at the same time being very diverse as well.
There are further plenty of great shops and restaurants there, and lots of good schools and beautiful homes, including a few built by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
2. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a neighborhood that offers a wide variety of excellent schools, both public and private. It also has a great family atmosphere. Some have even described walking along 53rd Street as taking a stroll through Sesame Street.
It is the kind of neighborhood that has no shortage of kids and dogs and lemonade stands. Like Beverly, it also very diverse, which is something you won’t find in every section of the city.
3. Edgewater
If you are looking for a family-friendly lakeside community, you should consider Edgewater. Hugging the coastline of Lake Michigan about a half-dozen miles from Downtown Chicago, this neighborhood has lots of great parks and beaches, where you can find plenty of local families.
It is also a great place if you love shopping for antiques, as there are many such stores in the neighborhood. You will further find terrific restaurants there and wonderful food markets. Finally, it is a neighborhood rich in history, with a number of historical landmarks.
4. Printer’s Row
This neighborhood gets its name from the fact that — in the aftermath of the infamous 1871 Great Chicago Fire — many printers set up shop there. Today it is a lovely residential neighborhood with quiet tree-lined streets. It is a place where you can escape hectic city life while being only a short distance from it.
Like Edgewater, it is also neighborhood rich in history, with many buildings there on the National Register of Historic Places. It further has lots of restaurants and shops, including some great bookstores.
5. Forest Glen
Known as “Chicago’s Finest Community,” Forest Glen combines the very best of city and suburban living. The neighborhood is made up almost exclusively of single-family homes, and it is one of the more affluent areas of the city. It is further a quiet place with a slower pace than the rest of the city, and you will find a great sense of community there as well.
The neighborhood is also one of the safest in the city, and it boasts excellent public schools, too.
In conclusion, those moving to Chicago will find lots of family-friendly neighborhoods there. These neighborhoods allow you to enjoy all the comforts of living in a big city while letting you safely raise a family.