We define Chicago’s “near west” neighborhoods to include the West Loop, Fulton River District and River West. You’ll find all of your major apartment options in these neighborhoods on our at-a-glance list of downtown apartments.
Our goal is to help you find the apartment that best fits your needs. Renters simply have so many differing priorities – and budget constraints – that singling out an overall best building would be a pointless exercise.
Our first posts in this series spotlighted the buildings with the best views, most convenient grocery shopping, and best access to public transit
If you want to live near a public park with active recreational spaces the near west neighborhoods are probably not your best bet. It’s a trek from any point in the area to the nearest beach, and most of the area is not well served by public parks.
The more than 7-acre Skinner Park and the 13-acre Union Park are near the western edge of the neighborhood, more than half a mile from most of the apartment complexes.
Skinner Park has a children’s playground, baseball fields, basketball courts, an athletic field for football or soccer and hosts popular events including Movies in the Parks. Union Park has a full complement of facilities, including a pool, field house, ball fields and tennis courts.
Mod and The Madison, currently under construction, are a short walk from Skinner Park. 13Thirteen is just over a block from Union Park.
Chime in with a comment if you disagree with our selections.
You’ll find links to our objective, visually-rich apartment reviews of near west buildings, and links to near real-time availability checks for most of the buildings, at our downtown apartments at-a-glance list, and some tips and advice at our Guide to renting in Chicago’s near west neighborhoods.
We’ve also spotlighted the best apartments in River North, Streeterville and the South Loop.
Next topic: Expressway access.