Chinatown, West Ridge/West Rogers Park, and Near North

I've reviewed these neighborhoods in other posts already, which is why I'm combining the three neighborhoods into one and keeping this post SHORT. Basically, I'm just saying that these three neighborhoods are still cool, still urban, still worth visiting, but not much has changed since last time I visited, so there's not much to say.

Don't forget to check out my other blog/website!

http://urbantransit.webs.com/apps/blog/

Downtown Skokie

Skokie is one of Chicago's "urban suburbs", meaning a pre-WWII suburb, with many urban features, such as a grid of streets, houses without driveways, multiple housing styles (apartment, duplex, urban house, etc.), and mixed use areas. Downtown Skokie was at one point very prosperous, but it fell on hard times for a period. The Village of Skokie has poured a lot of money into its redevelopment, and a new CTA Yellow Line station was opened nearby. There are Afghan, Jamaican, Korean, Eastern European, and Jewish businesses lining Oakton Street, Skokie's principal street. The area has urban commercial businesses, apartments, offices, townhouses, and urban houses, creating an interesting corridor to live, work, or visit. An amazing place, ready to leap forward into something even better!

Rogers Park

This place is urbanist HEAVEN!!!!!!!!! Rogers Park is a medium density area with a number of housing styles. On side streets, 2, 3, 4, and 5 story apartments dominate. Wooden framed houses, as well as the idyllic Chicago bungalow are also present. On main streets, like Devon Avenue, Ridge Avenue, Sheridan Road, Howard Street, Morse Avenue, Pratt Boulevard, Clark Street, and Touhy Avenue, mixed use three story buildings are present. The neighborhood has EXTREMELY good transit connections, with three "el" lines and five frequent bus lines running through the area. One of these bus lines and one "el" line run 24/7. The area has a wide range of businesses, including hipster restaurants, Indo-Pak grocery stores, and cafes. The neighborhood is also very socioeconomically and culturally diverse, with very cheap apartments in the area. Clark Street is the Latino piece of the neighborhood, Howard Street is the heart of Jamaican Chicago. Sheridan Road houses many university students, Morse Avenue is the "downtown" of Rogers Park. Finally, Devon and Ridge Avenues make up the edge of West Ridge's Indian and Pakistani community. An amazing neighborhood, with lots to see!

Also, don't forget to check out my other website:
http://urbantransit.webs.com/apps/blog/