An Announcement

My other website/blog, Urbantransit, uses the Webs website maker tool, which has proved to not be suitable to my hopes for the blog. So, sometime in 2014, Urbantransit's articles will be moved to #Urban, and all new public transit articles will appear on #Urban only. So now, this blog will continue to be on vibrant urban neighborhoods, with "focus posts" on public transit. (In vibrant urban neighborhoods, of course.)

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/ 

Little Village

One of the most colorful neighborhoods in Chicago, Little Village is a large predominately Mexican and Latino neighborhood, centered on 26th Street. The #60 Blue Island/26th bus runs very frequently, and is a night owl route (24/7 operation). It provides a lifeline to the people of Little Village, as many of its inhabitants are transit dependent. Many other frequent bus routes, as well as a few Pink Line stations are also present in the area. 26th Street is a busy thoroughfare at all times and at all seasons. Lined with bodegas, taquerias, and other stores selling everything from fresh fruit to jewelry, it is an eclectic area indeed. The buildings in which these businesses are located range from one story commercial buildings to three and four story mixed use buildings. Food trucks and fruit vendors are also present on the streets. On side streets, two flats and brick homes dominate. As one approaches Cermak Road, more abandoned properties are visible, but up until that point there are very few abandoned properties. This neighborhood is a wonderful place for new immigrants to experience a safe, vibrant neighborhood, and with its strong sense of community and low rent prices, will stay this way for a long time.

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

Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is a predominately residential, high income, high density area in Manhattan. Most homes are 6-8 story apartment blocks, and there were less businesses than in most of Manhattan. The businesses that were here were mostly fancy clothing stores and indie coffee shops. Due to its proximity to the Met and Central Park, a large number of tourists pass through the neighborhood. The neighborhood also sports a few hospitals, and most people who live here are upper class. The Lexington Avenue Line of the NYCTA Subway passes through the neighborhood.

Crown Heights

The Crown Heights neighborhood is a pretty cool neighborhood now, and has immense  potential to be something more. The neighborhood is host to a significant number of Hasidic Jews, Afro-Caribbeans, and African Americans. Currently, it is predominately lower middle class, though its proximity to Park Slope means that some signs of gentrification can already be seen. A way to create a mixed income community is if the NYCHA could begin to create designated low rent buildings to keep some of the current residents, and gentrification could bring in new residents and businesses. The neighborhood currently exhibits a variety of businesses, from Bengali grocery stores to African hair braiding shops.

Park Slope

A very hip neighborhood in Brooklyn, Park Slope is an "up and coming" neighborhood. Mixed use apartments and the typical Brooklyn brownstone are the main housing styles of the neighborhood. Upscale restaurants and other fancy stores are the main types of businesses in Park Slope. The neighborhood is also very transit friendly, with many NYCTA Subway lines stopping in or near the neighborhood. However, the area is not mixed income.

Midtown

Midtown is an extremely high density neighborhood, with a variety of businesses present. Although dominated by tall skyscrapers, Midtown is home to many other building types as well, like three to five story mixed use apartment blocks on some streets. Because Midtown is mixed use area, the variety of businesses present reflect Midtown's many uses. Small corner mini marts cater to the residents of the neighborhood, while upscale department stores cater to tourists and shoppers visiting the neighborhood. One major downside is the neighborhood is NOT mixed income. A 576 sqft. studio goes for $3,220/mo! The area is also very transit friendly. 

Jersey City

One of the most diverse and transit friendly cities in the country, all I can say about Jersey City is...AWESOME!!! A variety of housing styles exist in the city, from fancy art deco high rises to wooden frame houses to new glass and steel condos. A variety of ethnic groups live in the area, with Latinos, Middle Easterners/North Africans, and South Asians dominating the city's demographics. Many people do not own cars here, so transit ridership is quite high. There is also a variety of businesses, from nice restaurants, to checks cashed stores, to movie theaters, to ethnic groceries. Add in a short commute to Midtown or Lower Manhattan via PATH or NJT, and you have an amazing city.