Edgewater

The Lowdown: Edgewater

If we told you there was a neighborhood in Chicago where you could live close to the lake, have easy access to public transportation and get more space for your money, you’d think I was bullshitting you, right?  

Well luckily, I am not.  The neighborhood of Edgewater is within walking distance of the equally affordable Rogers Park neighborhood and the bustling streets of Andersonville (which is technically part of Edgewater but now days has become it’s own neighborhood).  It’s a diverse community with everyone from Ethiopian immigrants to thrifty young professionals to gay and lesbian couples.

Diverse Residents and Housing Options
Diversity and variety are the name of the game in Edgewater, even when it comes to finding a place to live.  The portion of Edgewater to the east of Broadway mainly consists of high-rise and mid-rise apartment buildings. And while there are some nice looking vintage and new construction condos sprinkled throughout, the majority of the apartments were built during the dark ages of American architecture and tend to look dated and a little run down. 

Go west of Broadway and you’ll come across vintage six and two flat apartments or condos as well as single-family homes.  The tree-lined streets and well-maintained front yards rival those in other, more expensive neighborhoods in the city.

Did Someone Say Gentrification?
Over the course of the last few years, Edgewater has had a pretty good run with several new condo developments bringing in buyers with deeper pockets. And while Edgewater doesn’t have as many shops and restaurants as neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Lakeview, as new buildings have popped up, new amenities have followed.  

Several restaurants have sprung up along Bryn Mawr – Edgewater’s historic and commercial district – and a fancy Cheetah Gym opened on Broadway several years ago as well. At the same time, if you’re a lake lover, Edgewater can be a great choice, particularly if you’re living east of Broadway where you can walk to the lakefront in just about five minutes.

  But for all the good things that come with living in Edgewater, you gotta be ready to deal with the bad and the ugly too.  In some pockets, particularly east of Broadway, Edgewater is remains a neighborhood in transition.  There are still a few nut jobs roaming the streets and some corners can feel downright creepy after dark.  

Still, you’ll find your dollar goes a lot further in Edgewater, so if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s definitely an area you’ll want to check out.