About Sharon Woodhouse Expertise Chicago travel, tourism, neighborhoods, food/entertainment, some history, moving/visiting advice, local culture. I own a company that publsihes books on the Chicago area and its history, and I`ve written 3 editions (latest one, 1999) of an insider`s budget guide to Chicago, titles,
Expert: Sharon Woodhouse Date: 10/31/2005 Subject: Artist Considering Move to Chicago
Question Hello, I am an artist, illustrator, and graphic designer
considering a move to the windy city. What is an affordable &
safe neighborhood for an artistic person making around 35-40k
a year? Thanks.
-Seth R.
Answer Hi, Seth.
If you're looking for an interesting, connected, urban neighborhood, rather than one further out and strictly residential, most Chicago neighborhoods are pushing the bounds of "affordability." A good all-round bet might be Lincoln Square (definitely the safest)--more affordable west of Western and north of Lawrence. Edgier and more affordable may be the Mexican neighborhood of Pilsen on the Near South Side. On the North Side, more affordable is the vibrant, multi-ethnic, but less artsy Albany Park. Closer to the lake are Uptown, Edgewater, and Rogers Park--great neighborhoods, diverse and thriving, but prob. with somewhat higher crime rates.
Hope this gives you a good start...
Good luck!
Sharon Woodhouse
Sharon Woodhouse, publisher
sharon@lakeclaremont.com
Lake Claremont Press, publishing Chicago
4650 N. Rockwell St.; Chicago, IL 60625
773/583-7800; 773/583-7877 (fax)
www.lakeclaremont.com
