Downtown smackdown – West Loop vs. South Loop

West Loop Tony South Loop Sue

No matter how positive we’re inclined to be (not very), the truth is, you can only truly assess a neighborhood in relief against other neighborhoods. The most immediate and natural comparison point for the West Loop is the South Loop.

There are geographic similarities (both on the edge of the Loop), physical similarities (both full of former industrial and railroad property) and historical similarities (industrial boom, devestating bust, resurrection as residential beginning with lots of loft conversions early on). Both offer a measure of racial diversity that’s unusual and admirable in Chicago, and both are much less economically diverse than they were 10 years ago.

Large numbers of homebuyers consider both neighborhoods, shopping for condos in the West Loop and South Loop simultaneously. Some are most concerned with the right building and the right unit, and don’t have a strong preference for either neighborhood, but all of these buyers, on some level, are comparing the two communities.

Which one is better? Click on “Comments” below to give us your take. Feel free to use whatever criteria are most important to you, but in case you’re having trouble choosing, here are some things to consider: quality of housing stock, value / potential for home appreciation, parks / green space, schools, restaurants, shopping, safety, culture (whatever that is) and transporation / commute.

And if you’re going to tell us each is special in its own way, so it’s a tie, don’t bother. This ain’t the UN. We’re looking for a winner here, even if it’s by a nose.

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