Bucktown

Technically, Bucktown is considered to be part of the Logan Square area. Yet, most people who live in Bucktown will tell you that they live in Bucktown and not Logan Square. In fact, for most residents of Bucktown, such a thought probably doesn't enter their minds.

The Bucktown area is located near Wicker Park and is fairly close to the Loop. In general, you might not feel as though you have a tremendous amount to do in Bucktown specifically, as it is mostly residential in nature. However, its location is really quite excellent, and you can reach many of the cities hottest spots from Bucktown easily. Stating that Bucktown is geographically well situated in Chicago is definitely an understatement. This is one of the big reasons that Bucktown has become a hot spot for development. That stated, there are still plenty of good bars and restaurants in the area that are worth a look.

The diverse cultural and ethnic history of the neighborhood is still evident today in its architecture. There are plenty of churches and the areas Ukrainian and Polish influence are evident also.

Chicagoans will frequently rent or buy in Bucktown, so that they can have easy access to both downtown and Wicker Park. The long term real estate value prospects for this area look good.

First of all the map here is incorrect – most of what’s highlighted is Logan Square. I’d consider Bucktown to be between Western & Ashland, Armitage & North. I’d also like to dispel the rumor that Bucktown is an ‘artsy’ area. It is not, nor is it filled with hipsters. It’s filled with condos, yuppies and their puppies.

It's a really trendy neighborhood right now - it seems like EVERYBODY thinks its the greatest thing since sliced bread. But it's definitely getting to be more like Lincoln Park than Wicker Park.

The area blew up very recently and very quickly. It’s mostly known for the shopping along Damen Avenue. About 10 years ago there were a few scattered boutiques, but now the street is literally lined with very high-end local shops and designer stores like Marc Jacobs. There are also now a ton of chain stores like Bebe, Arden B…you get the picture.

There are a lot of good restaurants there, many a little bit more expensive, but many are affordable too. There are a couple o

If you’re a hipster or a wannabe hipster, you’ve at least been to Bucktown. Considered one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the entire city, Bucktown is located in Chicago’s northwest side within the confines of Logan Square. The boundaries of Bucktown are Western Avenue to the west, the Chicago River to the east, Fullerton Avenue to the north, and Bloomingdale Avenue to the south.

Originally a Polish settlement, Bucktown has evolved through the years to become an area filled with creative-minded people, families, and the hipster crowd. The area is known for its trendy boutiques, eclectic cafés, fun pubs, and summer festivals. For me, a trip to Bucktown means the opportunity to visit some of the city’s best thrift stores and one-of-a-kind local clothing boutiques.

For residents, convenience is an important aspect of Bucktown. Easily accessible from the Kennedy Expressway, which is a major roadway for commuters, Bucktown is also convenient to public transportation via bus

This Chicago Community has everything and I mean everything. The people who guide and direct this neighborhood are on the ball, A person can be close to the Loop, accessible to real restaurants like Rio's D'Sudamerica, home of the $12 all you can eat Peruvian feast buffet on Sundays, legitimate, raise a little hell nightlife as well as enjoy cultural events and organizations, parks and attractions.

This green appreciating community has an annual Garden Walk complete with free trolley ride and guidebook with introduction to 100 gardens and 50 trees in a one-mile square neighborhood. It begins at Club Lucky, which you sort of have to love.

What's not to like about Bucktown? Not only does Rory Lake's Karakoke Dreams serve up hot rocking Karoke bar action, but this nearly fully gentrified Community has something more highbrow called Cafe Society, Cafe Society is a project designed by the Illinois Humanities Council "to foster a more robust civil society, more cohesive and interactive communities, greater media literacy and a more informed and engaged citizenry through weekly coffee shop conversations about contemporary social issues". Wow! You have to hand it to them for ignoring that Bucktown wasn't long ago a blue collar place set smack dab in the middle of the red faces, cold brewskis and "deeses" and "doses." Current media reports and jolting caffeine fixes serve as stimulants for the conversations. There's a published list of weekly topics you can check prior to a meetings at Cafe Luca.

Don't be bewitched by the sparkling doodads, the ritzy playthings, the arts, entertainment and culture for miles. Bucktown is not just some cherry on top. It also has high-buttercream content homemade ice cream underneath. It transportation alternatives would be sorely envied by many a Chicago suburbanite. Bucktown has two Blue Line el stops: 1588 N Damen and 1900 N Western. It is also served by several bus routes. Contact CTA with questions at: Chicago Transit Authority http://www.transitchicago.com/. Bucktown's Metra Train stop is located at 2001 N Ashland. This location is served by the Union Pacific North and the Union Pacific Northwest lines. Contact:
Metra http://www.metrarail.com/.

From what I looked up, crime there almost in the heart of the heart of the City is about as low as in my little "safe" suburban town. Police Clear Map report mostly low-violence type crimes. No recent homicides or rapes reported, just mostly marijuana busts, vandalism and petty theft except for one stolen car I saw listed. I admit i didn't exactly study the list. It looked good enough to me considering where it's located.

Organizations that are very active in this urban wonder tell a tale. They include: Community Relations, The Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS), which is a partnership between police and community; Bucktown Public Square--a message board updated by Bucktown residents and Bucktown Community Org. members, ChicagoBucktownPublicSquare, The Week Behind, a weekly E-zine published in Bucktown; Bucktown Arts Fest; Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) and the West Bucktown Neighborhood Association among others.

I know I can't afford my other Chicago Community paradise, Beverly. I better get literally moving if I am going to get into Bucktown before home prices are astronomical, and prices for home have been steadily going up for a while now.

A search of Google Maps under Bucktown for pay TV, Satellite and high-speed Internet revealed 23 free Satellite channels and a total of 2,026 results for the three searched items.

Now here's a big reason why I'm moving to Bucktown. It's not just the five-star Peruvian Restaurant that everyone raves about and Cafe Society and the active organizations that keep the place running. It the fact that gentrification has not taken away its downhome charm. I can tell because they have free "Movie In the Park" nights for the whole family. It must be free because there's no mention of money or tickets in the invitation which simply says, "Get a blanket and bring the family..." Last week's movie was Harrison Ford in The Fugutive. Hey, what do you want for free under the stars?

Bucktown is one of THE places to be for the young, hip and creative set. This neighborhood, in my opinion, helps Chicago undermine its reputation as the “second city” with its diverse art galleries, bars, cafes and its far-out-there range of shops (okay, it used to be a neighborhood where you would be lucky to find any corporate shops but there are some in Bucktown these days – but that doesn’t mean the place is anywhere close to becoming a strip mall).

In the modern era creative types are sharing Bucktown with college kids and young families (and of course the immigrant community that was there even before they were), as well as Urban Outfitters and American Apparel. If you’re into people watching, be aware that this is one of the best places to do it in Chi-Town. It’s probably best to find a spot for this in the evenings, when people really begin to mill around the neighborhood bars. Bucktown is also a draw for brunch-goers, as there are plenty of locations to get such a meal.

Bucktown is a perfect Chicago neighborhood for those who want to be close enough to downtown to be able to get there quickly and easily, but far enough away to save some money on rent and have an actual neighborhood to enjoy in peace when they don't want to deal with the traffic and noise!

Residentially it runs the gamut from older multi-unit buildings where you can rent a studio for $600 to gorgeous brand new single family city mansions. The bread and butter are the duplex condos and three-unit rentals, but there is something for pretty much every price point. Regardless of where you live, when you walk your dog at night, pretty much everyone has a smile and nice greeting from their stoop as you go by, whether it's the young couple with two toddlers, the three dudes who moved in together after college, or the two 70-year old sisters who have lived in the same house their whole lives!

Restaurants also range pretty wide. You can get a great slice at My Pie or walk across the street for the best sushi in Chicago at Coast. Brunch at Toast, tapas at Bluebird, late night at Hot Chocolate - it's all there for you. A quiet beer with awesome live music at The Charleston or a more lively cocktail with the hipsters and their DJ's at Danny's - there are options for nightlife which may not be as raucous as River North or as fratty as Lincoln Park, but it's a real quick cab ride to either. And if you're into shopping, there are boutiques for all tastes all up Damen.

Ultimately, Bucktown is a great neighborhood for those who want to live in Chicago, but prefer a little backyard to a doorman building with a 5 by 8 foot balcony. We don't have the lake or Lincoln Park, but we have Holsein Park and its vastly underrated pool, we have Churchill Park and its kickball field and dog park, we have easy access to the (future) Bloomingdale trail, and we have any number of quiet streets with no traffic to enjoy year round.