Archive for the ‘Neighborhood journal’ Category
Name the nabe that Kardas shot
Thursday, September 11th, 2008Please, share your "-views"
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008Love 'em or hate 'em, these brick condo developments with the polyomino-shaped balconies facing the street have carved out a niche in Chicago's architectural landscape. Joe says they look like Aztec art, others say they look like Legos or Tetris. I say they look pretty dark inside, with those big balconies hanging over and shading the windows.
Can you tell them apart? Our game is simple: Give the name of each development (or its address) in order, clockwise from top left, and we'll send you your very own YoChicago yo-yo.
Name the nabe of the wacky weathervane
Monday, September 8th, 2008Name the nabe of the edible adventure
Thursday, September 4th, 2008Chicago's most walkable neighborhoods
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
I rarely mention the "walk scores" of developments and neighborhoods, not because I don’t like WalkScore.com – its maps often reveal a lot about neighborhood amenities — but because its ratings have to be taken with a sizable grains of salt.
See, walk scores aren’t exactly “carless scores,” which might be a more helpful way of looking at accessibility in this city. WalkScore’s founders admit up front that their algorithms don’t take public transportation into consideration. That’s fine if you’re living in my old hometown, but it’s not as suitable for a city with multiple rail and bus systems.
Nor do the scores reflect factors like bike paths and street designs, both of which can open up “unwalkable” neighborhoods to amenities without the need for cars. And finally, I don’t care what anyone says: That bodega a quarter-mile from my front door isn’t a serviceable substitute for a grocery store.
Okay, so walk scores aren’t perfect, but they aren’t useless, either. There’s a lot to be said for living in an area where stores, schools and entertainment are just a short stroll away. According to Walkscore, eight of Chicago’s 77 community areas are “walker’s paradises” (the really green areas in the map above):
- Loop
- Near North Side
- Lincoln Park
- Lake View
- Uptown
- Edgewater
- Near South Side
- Rogers Park
None of those come as a surprise. It gets a little more interesting as you branch out beyond downtown and the North and Far North sides. The following are lists of the three most “walkable” community areas on the Northwest, West / Southwest and South sides.
Northwest Side:
- Logan Square, west of Western Avenue
- Albany Park
- North Center, west of Western Avenue
West / Southwest sides:
- West Town, south of North Avenue and west of Western Avenue
- Archer Heights
- South Lawndale
South Side:
- Hyde Park
- Bridgeport
- Armour Square, south of the Stevenson Expressway
Just one more thing to consider as you’re weighing your next home purchase.
Name the nabe of the block game
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008One look at this structure and I feel I could play Tetris for hours. Be the first to name the neighborhood and win a Yo yo-yo.

