City Guide

Our Guide to the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago

By Kailey Hansen | Oct 18, 2021
View of Chicago skyline and river

If you’re thinking of moving to Chicago, Landing can help you find your footing across the area—starting with choosing the right neighborhood in Chicago for you. 

Below are our guides to the best neighborhoods in Chicago, including the best places to eat and drink, the best place to get groceries, the best coffee shops, the best outdoor attractions, the best gyms, the best nightlife, and how to navigate public transportation. 

Downtown Chicago 

If the hustle and bustle of the big city makes you feel alive, Downtown Chicago is the perfect fit to rent an apartment. A hub of arts, culture, architecture, and award-winning food, this neighborhood offers an exciting lifestyle with plenty to explore.

Your Guide to Downtown Chicago 

Lincoln Park

Located just a few blocks outside of Downtown Chicago lies a trendy neighborhood filled with quaint, tree-lined streets and gorgeous, historic homes. Lincoln Park is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city, no doubt due to its close proximity to Lake Michigan and downtown, as well as its unique blend of being a residential area yet still distinctly urban.

Your Guide to Lincoln Park 

Naperville 

If you’re planning on moving to Chicagoland and prefer a relaxed lifestyle with quick access to a major metropolitan area, Naperville, IL, is calling your name. Boasting over 250 restaurants, a lively downtown district, a gorgeous riverwalk, and an express train line into downtown Chicago, this thriving family-friendly community is a charming and exciting neighborhood with plenty to offer to those moving here.

Your Guide to Naperville

Oak Park 

Nestled a mere nine miles from Chicago, the Village of Oak Park is a not-so-hidden gem that’s far from your stereotypical suburb. Filled with a diverse community of young professionals, families, and city transplants, Oak Park is as urban as you’ll get when it comes to suburban living. Here, you will find a relaxed neighborhood with a thriving arts scene, tons of local restaurants and cafes, and iconic buildings designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Your Guide to Oak Park 

South Shore

Find the perfect blend of nature and urban life by living along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Welcome to South Shore, a South Side neighborhood in Chicago bordering the water and encompassing multiple historic city neighborhoods. Here, you will find classic architecture, spectacular views of the Downtown Chicago skyline, and cuisines inspired from afar. 

Your Guide to South Shore

West Town 

Are you interested in living in a vibrant part of Chicago with lots of heart and soul? Welcome to one of the artsiest, most eclectic neighborhoods in the city. A stroll in any direction is sure to take you past vintage shops, public art, and locals who are proud to call Chicago their home. As a melting pot of different cultures, West Town has one of the richest food scenes in the city. While living here, you can explore a variety of different cuisines, snag handmade home decor from a street fair, or take on the task of finding all of West Town’s murals. 

Your Guide to West Town

Land an amazing apartment in Chicago

Looking for an apartment in Chicago? Landing offers furnished apartments in Chicago, with flexible lease terms that let you move with ease, or stay if you please. You can browse Landing’s available apartments in Chicago, or contact us to learn more about how a Landing membership works.

Kailey Hansen

Kailey Hansen is a freelance writer and communications professional based in the land of deep-dish pizza. She has lived in both the city and the suburbs of Chicago and enjoys writing about the amazing things the Windy City has to offer. When she's not dishing about the best places to grab a slice of deep-dish, you can find her writing (and obsessing) about binge-worthy TV shows for BuzzFeed and why cats are the best (and absolutely outlandish creatures) for Rover's blog, The Dog People.