Moving to Chicago

Personally I love west Lakeview. Lived there until the whole grow up and buy a house in the burbs thing happened. Check out the area around the Paulina brown line stop on Lincoln. It's really close to some amazing craft beer bars: Northdown, green lady, local option. When I go back in the area I'm always at one of those places. Good luck, welcome to Chicago!

 

be prepared to pay through the ass for beer. The prices atre beyond ridiculous, but you have selection....

 

To add to this places like red star bar have more competitive prices per their draft selection than most, so does logan square small bar. Liquor store prices are pretty bad all around.

 

I'm also a DC ex-pat. Chicago is a great town. Lakeview & Lincoln Park are like old school Dupont, Logan Square & Bucktown are like new school Dupont. Map Room is like Brickskeller (RIP), Hopleaf is like Churchkey but way less yuppie.

Prepare to gain 30 pounds. Also, winter here is a little different.

 

Agree. I lived in the same neighborhood. My apartment was right in front of that stop. Very accessible to grocery, restaurants, other bars (Village Tap is right down Roscoe Ave). It used to be relatively inexpensive. I'll also recommend Logan Square neighborhood. You'll love Chicago!

 

Oh i forgot to mention, dont forego looking at Roger's Park for a place to live. No one believes me, but it's awesome up here.

 

you guys are hardcore. moving somewhere in relation to a bar. let me help though.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicagos-first-cta-bar-map.154657/

 

Problem with that map is it forgot about half the city. The Southside's cool too!

Anyway. Everyone's got their ideas for what neighborhoods are great. IMO, you have to live here for yourself to find out for sure what's gonna be right for you. Hopefully you luck out and that's the first neighborhood you move into. Otherwise, be open to the idea that you might be moving around the first couple years to figure out. Took me about three.

But I digress. This is my word of advice: every neighborhood has something to offer. And regardless of where you end up, be willing to see what those other neighborhoods are about. You cannot truly have an understanding and appreciation of this great city without venturing out of your comfort zone.

Welcome to Chicago. Cheers.

 

i was going to mention that. i am a 'south sider' and there are plenty of good places to visit, even near the train.

 

I lived in Ravenswood for a few years...if you are working in the loop, locate by the Ravenswood stop. Your commute downtown will be much faster. If you stay west of the tracks and north of Lawrence, you'll be crawling distance to Hopleaf and Edgewater Tap. Foutainhead is a long walk. Bad Apple is a quick drive or very long walk. I think there is a Mariano's right there, which has a good craft selection and great food prices. Street parking is realtively easy and rent is reasonable.

 

where will you be working? i find altho not too much further than me, that ravenswood and north center get just a little too far for me as i am working in the loop. i live in west lakeview which i would also recommend. i am off the southport stop on the brown line. north chicago u cant really go wrong as far as having a good beer bar around. i have been in the area for 11 years so hit me up if u have any specific questions or maybe want to meet for a beer. cheers and welcome to chicago!

 

I live in north center right by WLV Liquors. It really is a great little neighborhood. Tons of great bars and restaurants as well as reasonable rent prices. Also love the hidden gem known as black rock. Great little neighborhood bar with a pretty solid tap list.

 

My Brother just went to a fundraiser at Black Rock, said it was rock soild for beer and food. I need to check it out.

 

Adam, I work in Rogers Park and kinda hate it. That is all.

Maybe I need to grill you for some tips.

 

I lived in North Center for 3 years close to the Irving Park Brown line station. Great parking(comparatively to other neighborhoods), good food, not a lot of transplant frat boys from Michigan like lakeview/lincoln park has. And you'd be close to half acre.

 

It's a great place just don't make it too popular now. I love the laid back atmosphere. Food is really solid as well and they have cheap specials M-TR

 

I always enjoyed Ukranian Village. Rent is much cheaper than wicker park, but your still walking distance to all Wicker Park's bars, restaurants, and festivals. Ravenswood and Andersonville are cool too

 

More East Coasters in the Meyid Weyest, wicked!

I suggest Edgewater if you like a sleepy neighborhood and low rent. Plus we're getting a Whole Foods in 2015, white people rejoice!