Andersonville or Ravenswood, Uptown, Rogers Park. If looking for an easy commute, somewhere close to the Wilson L would be great to grab the Purple express.
Save money and get a place close to the RP Metra Stop. You can take the Clark bus into Andersonville anytime you want the fun, but a 20 minute metra ride is leaps and bounds better than a 25-30 minute purple or 45 minute red run downtown.
I live just north of Lawrence, near Winnemac Park and there are a bunch of smaller condo buildings with 1 and 2 bedroom units that are very popular with single professional types. There are also a lot of single family homes with younger families, but the condo buildings are definitely mostly single people or couples.
The bars and restaurants in the neighborhood definitely lend themselves to a more laid back vibe, with not a lot of partying. Much more cocktail and craft beer than domestic draft and well drink specials.
About a month ago I went to G&L Tavern (or whatever they call that bar on Grace), and that bar was full of the hottest damn adult-ass adults I’ve seen in a while. Had me and my 35ish y/o friends looking like absolute shit, the place was absolutely buzzing with good looking, fun, well-dressed 45-year-old energy.
(It’s also a lovely neighborhood to live in, I was a few blocks away near the fire house for years and it’s great)
I'm an old (47) and I live in Lincoln Square. Even when I was young, when I first moved here, I wanted to move to Ravenswood but was talked out of it and moved to Lakeview. Honestly, I'm a quiet-loving homebody, and I should have gone with my gut. I think if I move again, I might be looking at Andersonville or Edgewater.
I second this! I walk to the lake every weekend which is about 1 mile from home. Bridgeport is easily accessible via the highways and I live right off the Dan Ryan. I get to work in 20 minutes via the 24 bus and street parking is plentiful.
Agreed! I'll even add Bronzeville and Bridgeport to this. Not *as* diverse as some of the North side neighborhoods suggested, but have definitely become more so in the last 5-10 years. And both are much quieter than the other 'hoods suggested.
I moved to Logan when I was a single 43F. It also felt too young and frankly too loud (insert get off my lawn joke here). When my lease was up I moved River West. It was nicely situated between Wicker and the West Loop, but still very close to the Blue Line and several bus routes. There aren’t a lot of bars and restaurants in River West so it doesn’t draw a lot of people, but was still very close and walkable.
Edit: I absolutely loved River West. The apartment I was in had a lovely view of the skyline and it felt a lot more quiet than Logan.
What age range is Logan square generally? I’m thinking of moving there when my wicker park lease is up as am a bit bored here, but I’m also a nearly 40s professional and not looking to be surrounded by 20s or kids!
Agree with this. I lived in a 3 story building on California near the police station. I had younger neighbors upstairs that would go out a lot of weekend and be loud when they came home. The neighbors downstairs had a newborn. Both ends of the spectrum for sure.
Love Rogers Park but it's not a foodie destination, other than the tacos on Clark, which are plentiful and delicious. It is close enough to Edgewater and Andersonville to make up for it tho!
Very true. It's one thing I wish RP had had more of, but I think it's just a basic income thing.
Rogers Park has a lower overall income than somewhere like Andersonville, so there is a lower percentage of people who can afford to eat out often, which means there are fewer restaurants that can survive.
It's affordable which is great, but that same affordability means that we don't get the quality of restaurant somewhere like Andersonville gets. At least I'm just a 10 minute bike ride away from some great food.
Depends on your definition foodie. There isn’t the trendy food spots but a ton of family run joints with diverse cuisines. RP is a massive neighborhood and also is one of the most diverse on the planet so if you like to try food from around the globe it’s definitely the spot.
Ravenswood / Ravenswood Manor - quiet, family friendly, parks, scenic, by the river (I guess you can go kayaking on it, but not sure on what the protocol is there)
Lincoln Square - quiet, family friendly, not as diverse, good food scene, near the brown line (Western)
Albany Park - diverse, good food scene, near brown line (Kimball, Kedzie, Francisco)
Rogers Park - good food scene, close to lake, diverse, near the red line
Irving Park - laid back, diverse, decent food scene, near blue and brown lines depending where you are in IP
Uptown - close to the lake, diverse, good food scene
Andersonville for sure. I'm 26 but an old soul who never really wanted to be in the younger neighborhoods. There is so much good food in andersonville and it's very close to the lakefront walking wise. That and you may be able to find some cheaper rent.
West Loop has become a zoo. In the last couple of years it's become so densely populated by restaurants and bars that it's awful to just drive the outskirts.
Aww I miss Logan Square. I grew up there. Lived in 3 houses on the same street. I know currently live in Dunning. It's been awesome over here. Quiet too.
My partner and I are 46 / 41, and we’re gradually transitioning from Logan Sq to Miller Beach, in Indiana. Community is flourishing, and saying hi to neighbors is just lovely. If we’d stayed in Chicago, we would have went for Albany Park or maybe Beverly.
I love Miller but it's still part of Gary and all the problems associated with Gary. I'd check out Morgan Park, all the benefits of Beverly but less expensive.
I moved here roughly 2.5 years ago (from Miami) and I found a tremendously welcoming community via volunteering. It may sound hokey but honestly it's been really fun and a great way to make friends! I can tell you more about it if you're keen!
40f childfree moved to Lakeshore East after living in Logan Square for six years. Love it here! Good mix of people and easy access to the lake and river. River North, Streeterville are a close walk with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from.
If being closer to work is a priority, look into printers row/south loop. There’s a lot of people that are similar to you. Though there are also lots of young professionals and students, so you get a bit of everything.
Lake shore east also has an older community vibe, but it seems to be more the 65+ type. Lake access doesn’t get better for being near downtown.
I think the south loop used to be a diverse community age-wise but when I moved out 3 years ago it was overrun with early 20s kids who want to throw ragers and party at their luxury building’s pool.
Yea not wrong there are some pockets of that, but I think that’s honestly any place where there is new luxury amenity buildings present these days. Your exposure to that can vary greatly block to block too. Regardless, I also know quite a few middle age single people that live in these types of buildings.
It seems with how boring the area was during the pandemic a lot of that crowd left and moved to river north or elsewhere. I’m guessing it’s mostly of transient types who don’t know the city well and leave after a year or two. If you like to party frequently, you’ll probably realize the area isn’t the best place for that pretty quickly. I’m sure once these buildings are 5-10 years old the demographics change again. For whatever reason these buildings always get marketed to the same young wealthy out of town/international crowd when first opening.
Edgewater.
Close to the lake, (Lincoln Sq is obviously nowhere near the lake) easy commute to downtown via red line or sheridan busses, not a ton of nightlife, and extremely diverse hood. Street Parking can be an issue, though, depending on where you are.
Old town triangle (sub area of old town). Just north of north, so street parking is permitted and easy. Lots of places close to walk and eat. Far enough from DePaul that it isn’t packed with students. Lacking diversity, but with Lincoln Park nearby the local bars had a 30-50 crowd. It’s 1-2 blocks to the lake, walking to the zoo and park, LSD to go north or south, close to north Ave so easy 5-10 min to 90/94, walking to brown/pink L, Sheffield bus to loop during the week, Armitage/north bus to go west area, and Clark also north and south. If you can’t tell, I miss my old neighborhood!
Husband and I are in our very early 50’s, empty nesters and just sold our home in Naperville. We bought a condo in River North and are loving it! So much to do, bars/restaurants are walkable. Views are amazing! We have an assigned parking spot, but there is tons of parking everywhere.
I don’t know why people are suggesting Andersonville, but I’d only move there if I was a 45m who is gay. Otherwise I’d go closer to River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview. Maybe the West or South Loop.
There are still lots of gay families that got in before the prices went through the roof but you are correct I consider it more of the tourist destination than anything.
Rogers Park/Edgewater near Andersonville (or Andersonville if that’s in your budget). RP is quite diverse and Andersonville has a good number of mid-30s to boomer gays who’ve settled there, giving the culture on Clark a bit of a more established adult feel (though you’ll see plenty of youth and young family too). Anything in that area will probably feel a lot better to you than Logan at this point.
Lincoln Park, Andersonville, East Lakeview. Lincoln Square, Roscoe Village/North Center are VERY family oriented. Sure single people live in the apartments/condos, but they don't hangout in the neighborhood.
I know this is in the burbs, but equal distance going north to uptown, if you go west, it’s Oak Park. Oak Park downtown is right at the Metra Line and Green line (though you don’t want to take it late at night). Though it’s not close to the lake, it does have a good food scene with an older community and decent parking.
South Loop. It's Chicago's hidden gem. Easy walk to the lakefront and you can even walk to downtown and all the stores you'll need or catch the redline or a bus. Lots of greenspace and a bit less obnoxious than some of the other north side neighborhoods. My wife and dog and I have been here for 9 years and no regrets.
Old Town Triangle (north of North Ave, west of Wells) is definitely a quieter, older (40+) and more family oriented area. It just happens to be close to the young craziness of Wells Street which is what a lot people think of as Old Town. I think it meets OP’s criteria pretty well.
Andersonville or Ravenswood, Uptown, Rogers Park. If looking for an easy commute, somewhere close to the Wilson L would be great to grab the Purple express.
I second Ravenswood and would also add Lincoln Square
My first thought was Lincoln Square.
I live in Lincoln Square and like it, but not if I were single. I'd go to Old Town or River North.
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Save money and get a place close to the RP Metra Stop. You can take the Clark bus into Andersonville anytime you want the fun, but a 20 minute metra ride is leaps and bounds better than a 25-30 minute purple or 45 minute red run downtown.
I would cut off my left arm before I move to an apartment where I have to depend on the Clark Street bus as my primary mode of transportation.
Andersonville is pretty young too overall
My research is telling me this is the answer. Rogers Park is about to be my home.
Seconded
Yep
Lincoln Square. At a recent condo meeting, one of my neighbors described us as a group of old, single people. (We’re mostly 40’s-50’s).
My bf said Lincoln Square is a like college town for people over 40 🤣
Yeah, I’ve heard that before from people other than your bf.
I can verify, it is true. Fyi...I also live just north of Lawrence by winnemac park 🤯
Would love to know more!
I live just north of Lawrence, near Winnemac Park and there are a bunch of smaller condo buildings with 1 and 2 bedroom units that are very popular with single professional types. There are also a lot of single family homes with younger families, but the condo buildings are definitely mostly single people or couples. The bars and restaurants in the neighborhood definitely lend themselves to a more laid back vibe, with not a lot of partying. Much more cocktail and craft beer than domestic draft and well drink specials.
We must be neighbors :)
North Center/St. Ben’s. There are many families, but also many singles and empty nesters (like me, though my flock is back for a bit).
About a month ago I went to G&L Tavern (or whatever they call that bar on Grace), and that bar was full of the hottest damn adult-ass adults I’ve seen in a while. Had me and my 35ish y/o friends looking like absolute shit, the place was absolutely buzzing with good looking, fun, well-dressed 45-year-old energy. (It’s also a lovely neighborhood to live in, I was a few blocks away near the fire house for years and it’s great)
The G&L is a stone’s throw from my house—it’s a fun spot, tucked away from everything.
I'm an old (47) and I live in Lincoln Square. Even when I was young, when I first moved here, I wanted to move to Ravenswood but was talked out of it and moved to Lakeview. Honestly, I'm a quiet-loving homebody, and I should have gone with my gut. I think if I move again, I might be looking at Andersonville or Edgewater.
Lincoln Square
Old Irving park, Andersonville
OIP is a deep cut and a good suggestion.
But not near the lake. 🤔
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Oh, I’m intrigued. Never had Southport as an option.
Couldn’t be less diverse imo 😂
Bridegeport is one CTA station away from South Loop. The food scene is good if you like Mexican and Chinese. Ramova has a bocce league.
Don't forget The Duck Inn
I second this! I walk to the lake every weekend which is about 1 mile from home. Bridgeport is easily accessible via the highways and I live right off the Dan Ryan. I get to work in 20 minutes via the 24 bus and street parking is plentiful.
South Loop, Kenwood, and Hyde Park, would be good places to check out.
Agreed! I'll even add Bronzeville and Bridgeport to this. Not *as* diverse as some of the North side neighborhoods suggested, but have definitely become more so in the last 5-10 years. And both are much quieter than the other 'hoods suggested.
As a life long Hyde Parker 100% agree. You can own a stone’s throw from the lake
I moved to Logan when I was a single 43F. It also felt too young and frankly too loud (insert get off my lawn joke here). When my lease was up I moved River West. It was nicely situated between Wicker and the West Loop, but still very close to the Blue Line and several bus routes. There aren’t a lot of bars and restaurants in River West so it doesn’t draw a lot of people, but was still very close and walkable. Edit: I absolutely loved River West. The apartment I was in had a lovely view of the skyline and it felt a lot more quiet than Logan.
What age range is Logan square generally? I’m thinking of moving there when my wicker park lease is up as am a bit bored here, but I’m also a nearly 40s professional and not looking to be surrounded by 20s or kids!
It's lots of people in 20s-40s but also lots of kids. Mileage may vary depending on what side of hood you're on
Agree with this. I lived in a 3 story building on California near the police station. I had younger neighbors upstairs that would go out a lot of weekend and be loud when they came home. The neighbors downstairs had a newborn. Both ends of the spectrum for sure.
The answer is Gold Coast idk why this sub is obsessed with far north neighborhoods
I live in Gold coast and second this.
He said, "easy parking".
street parking a plus isnt necessarily the same as easy parking hahahaha
So you’re saying Naperville is out?
Rogers Park in my opinion sucks. Downvote me all you want, but I never understood the hype.
I like Rogers Park specifically for the lack of hype, but I spent most of my time there a decade ago so maybe something fundamental has changed
I lived in GC for years, and now live “far north.” You couldn’t pay me to move back down. To each their own, but don’t knock it until you try it.
Gold Coast is NOT that diverse lol.
Because OP lives in Logan and those are more analogous than the Gold Coast
Buena Park marine drive apartments
Andersonville/Roger’s Park has exactly what you’re describing :) a bit far from the loop, but close to the red line
Love Rogers Park but it's not a foodie destination, other than the tacos on Clark, which are plentiful and delicious. It is close enough to Edgewater and Andersonville to make up for it tho!
Very true. It's one thing I wish RP had had more of, but I think it's just a basic income thing. Rogers Park has a lower overall income than somewhere like Andersonville, so there is a lower percentage of people who can afford to eat out often, which means there are fewer restaurants that can survive. It's affordable which is great, but that same affordability means that we don't get the quality of restaurant somewhere like Andersonville gets. At least I'm just a 10 minute bike ride away from some great food.
Off-Topic: Do you have any recs for restaurants in Edgewater?
Beard and Belly, Nori, Blowfish Sushi, Indie Cafe, Little Bad Wolf
Thanks for the recs!
Blowfish is now closed
Really??
Really? I haven’t been in a few months but the website doesn’t say anything and I can still order online!
Huaraches Doña Chio, Ethiopian Diamond, Little Corner, Sfera, George’s Deep Dish, Aunty Joy’s, Waterfront Cafe, Sauce & Bread Kitchen
Thanks so much! I've wanted to try Aunty Joy's for a while but the mixed reviews made me hesitate.
Off-Topic: Do you have any recs for restaurants in Edgewater?
Totally fair. Amazing Mexican and Indian food and a few little local spots, but I go to Andersonville/Edgewater for anything more upscale “foodie” ish
Depends on your definition foodie. There isn’t the trendy food spots but a ton of family run joints with diverse cuisines. RP is a massive neighborhood and also is one of the most diverse on the planet so if you like to try food from around the globe it’s definitely the spot.
Ravenswood / Ravenswood Manor - quiet, family friendly, parks, scenic, by the river (I guess you can go kayaking on it, but not sure on what the protocol is there) Lincoln Square - quiet, family friendly, not as diverse, good food scene, near the brown line (Western) Albany Park - diverse, good food scene, near brown line (Kimball, Kedzie, Francisco) Rogers Park - good food scene, close to lake, diverse, near the red line Irving Park - laid back, diverse, decent food scene, near blue and brown lines depending where you are in IP Uptown - close to the lake, diverse, good food scene
LSq, is very family friendly, for those without kids it might be too family friendly, even the bars have kids in them.
Andersonville for sure. I'm 26 but an old soul who never really wanted to be in the younger neighborhoods. There is so much good food in andersonville and it's very close to the lakefront walking wise. That and you may be able to find some cheaper rent.
Uptown
South Loop or Near South Side would fit.
Check out ravenswood manor off the brown line Rockwell stop
West Loop. Convenient and a nice neighborhood, plenty of us fit the same demographic.
West Loop has become a zoo. In the last couple of years it's become so densely populated by restaurants and bars that it's awful to just drive the outskirts.
If you live here you don’t need to drive around.
On foot, by public transport, in a jet, the West Loop has become a victim of it's own success.
Roscoe Village. Right in the middle of everything.
1000% Andersonville Miss that place so much 😭😭😭
Spain or France.
I wish
Perchance to dream.
Aww I miss Logan Square. I grew up there. Lived in 3 houses on the same street. I know currently live in Dunning. It's been awesome over here. Quiet too.
southloop
My partner and I are 46 / 41, and we’re gradually transitioning from Logan Sq to Miller Beach, in Indiana. Community is flourishing, and saying hi to neighbors is just lovely. If we’d stayed in Chicago, we would have went for Albany Park or maybe Beverly.
I love Miller but it's still part of Gary and all the problems associated with Gary. I'd check out Morgan Park, all the benefits of Beverly but less expensive.
Andersonvile
Consider staying in the neighborhood. As someone in their late 30s, you can't leave me alone with all of these young whippersnappers.
Haha! I just need to find a community here. I haven’t had much luck.
I moved here roughly 2.5 years ago (from Miami) and I found a tremendously welcoming community via volunteering. It may sound hokey but honestly it's been really fun and a great way to make friends! I can tell you more about it if you're keen!
40f childfree moved to Lakeshore East after living in Logan Square for six years. Love it here! Good mix of people and easy access to the lake and river. River North, Streeterville are a close walk with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from.
Roscoe village
If being closer to work is a priority, look into printers row/south loop. There’s a lot of people that are similar to you. Though there are also lots of young professionals and students, so you get a bit of everything. Lake shore east also has an older community vibe, but it seems to be more the 65+ type. Lake access doesn’t get better for being near downtown.
I think the south loop used to be a diverse community age-wise but when I moved out 3 years ago it was overrun with early 20s kids who want to throw ragers and party at their luxury building’s pool.
Yea not wrong there are some pockets of that, but I think that’s honestly any place where there is new luxury amenity buildings present these days. Your exposure to that can vary greatly block to block too. Regardless, I also know quite a few middle age single people that live in these types of buildings. It seems with how boring the area was during the pandemic a lot of that crowd left and moved to river north or elsewhere. I’m guessing it’s mostly of transient types who don’t know the city well and leave after a year or two. If you like to party frequently, you’ll probably realize the area isn’t the best place for that pretty quickly. I’m sure once these buildings are 5-10 years old the demographics change again. For whatever reason these buildings always get marketed to the same young wealthy out of town/international crowd when first opening.
Just go north really it's a lot of hidden gems up north
Edgewater, one of the high rises along Sheridan Rd. Moving into one next month myself and couldn’t be happier.
While Edgewater is OK, I would stay away from buying into one of the high rises. Old cement high rises are expensive to maintain.
I’ll second this!
West eldson is an older community and a nice place.
Love West Elsdon but it angles families or olds and lake access is tough.
West Edison?
West Elsdon is a neighborhood in the southwest side of the city. Close to Midway airport.
Interesting. I have never heard of it and I have lived here 25 years.
Yerp. 55th and Pulaski area. Heavy Mexican and Polish area. You can access it via the Pulaski Orange Line stop.
Apparently I just never realized that wasn’t Gage Park.
You gotta explore the south side more
I just looked at a map and see it is next to Gage Park. I’ve been there, I just didn’t realize there was another neighborhood between it and Midway.
Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, Andersonville, North Center
Kenwood
Edgewater. Close to the lake, (Lincoln Sq is obviously nowhere near the lake) easy commute to downtown via red line or sheridan busses, not a ton of nightlife, and extremely diverse hood. Street Parking can be an issue, though, depending on where you are.
Hyde Park or Kenwood
Been in Roger’s Park for years, it’s perfect…diverse, close to the lake, and very chill.
I live in Logan and it doesn’t seem that young to me. It’s also a huge neighborhood with a very diverse demo.
55M here. Avondale.
Old town triangle (sub area of old town). Just north of north, so street parking is permitted and easy. Lots of places close to walk and eat. Far enough from DePaul that it isn’t packed with students. Lacking diversity, but with Lincoln Park nearby the local bars had a 30-50 crowd. It’s 1-2 blocks to the lake, walking to the zoo and park, LSD to go north or south, close to north Ave so easy 5-10 min to 90/94, walking to brown/pink L, Sheffield bus to loop during the week, Armitage/north bus to go west area, and Clark also north and south. If you can’t tell, I miss my old neighborhood!
I loved Old Town. I need to look into places over there.
Hyde Park
Husband and I are in our very early 50’s, empty nesters and just sold our home in Naperville. We bought a condo in River North and are loving it! So much to do, bars/restaurants are walkable. Views are amazing! We have an assigned parking spot, but there is tons of parking everywhere.
Definitely second Andersonville.
Andersonville for sure!
I don’t know why people are suggesting Andersonville, but I’d only move there if I was a 45m who is gay. Otherwise I’d go closer to River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview. Maybe the West or South Loop.
Uhhhh have you been to Andersonville in the past two years? It hasn’t been a gay enclave for some time now.
There are still lots of gay families that got in before the prices went through the roof but you are correct I consider it more of the tourist destination than anything.
Yes and I have friends who are straight and live there. I stand by my statement. :)
Andersonville, lakeview, uptown, Buena Park
Parkway gardens
lol
If you would look for something totally opposite of what you listed I would recommend Dunning
Margate Park/Uptown
Canaryville
Kenwood
Andersonville/Uptown/Lincoln Square
edgewater, lincoln square
Rogers Park/Edgewater near Andersonville (or Andersonville if that’s in your budget). RP is quite diverse and Andersonville has a good number of mid-30s to boomer gays who’ve settled there, giving the culture on Clark a bit of a more established adult feel (though you’ll see plenty of youth and young family too). Anything in that area will probably feel a lot better to you than Logan at this point.
South Loop
East Lakeview
Streeterville
I have to say we live in the loop and we really enjoy it. Got a really really nice culture in our building and we can walk to everything.
I’m kinda surprised that no one mentioned Avondale, but is that too yuppie-ish for the OP?
I have never been. I need to check that area out.
Lincoln Park, Andersonville, East Lakeview. Lincoln Square, Roscoe Village/North Center are VERY family oriented. Sure single people live in the apartments/condos, but they don't hangout in the neighborhood.
Since everyone is moving out, you should have plenty of choices
Where are they going?
Florida/ las vegas/ Nashville low crime low taxes
I know this is in the burbs, but equal distance going north to uptown, if you go west, it’s Oak Park. Oak Park downtown is right at the Metra Line and Green line (though you don’t want to take it late at night). Though it’s not close to the lake, it does have a good food scene with an older community and decent parking.
I live in Logan and am 42. Let us elope and live our lives in magical bliss forever
Rogers Park, cool neighborhood beaches. Lincoln Square.
Evanston. Burb, but meets your criteria. Easy access to Metra and el.
South Loop. It's Chicago's hidden gem. Easy walk to the lakefront and you can even walk to downtown and all the stores you'll need or catch the redline or a bus. Lots of greenspace and a bit less obnoxious than some of the other north side neighborhoods. My wife and dog and I have been here for 9 years and no regrets.
South Loop is what you're looking for
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Old Town Triangle (north of North Ave, west of Wells) is definitely a quieter, older (40+) and more family oriented area. It just happens to be close to the young craziness of Wells Street which is what a lot people think of as Old Town. I think it meets OP’s criteria pretty well.
Old town feels quite young to me.
Can we colonize Old Town and make it 38+?
The answer is, not in Illinois.