Burnside

Burnside went from a middle class neighborhood to a declining area fairly rapidly some 50 years ago and has yet to rebound back to it's middle class roots. Those who originally resided in the area headed for greener pastures and the crime rate rose steadily into the new millennium.

Burnside fell victim to the declining steel business. When steel mills closed shop and companies that built the area up began to slowly remove themselves from Chicago Burnside fell into decline. Those who had the means left the area and those left had to find a way to fend for themselves.

There have been some revitalization efforts in recent years but little has been done to stave off the gang and drug violence that is a regular part of life in Burnside. There are few businesses and little to do in the area. Besides a few historical points of interest there isn't much going on in the area that should or would attract new residents or visitors.

This South Side neighborhood is nothing to brag about – what you’ll find here are a lot of bare-looking brick duplexes, single family homes and the occasional tree (some are pretty impressive evergreens).

In the north area of the neighborhood, parking on the streets in this residential area is relatively easy, and the streets stay pretty quiet in this relatively middle class area. The southern area of Burnside is more of a working class area, and some would say that it is a sketchier part of town.
The neighborhood hasn’t seen much changes in recent years, but the low real estate values are beginning to attract a few developers – especially to renovate old homes in the area. If you want to move into the area, it’s best to do so pretty soon, as rumor has it that prices won’t stay low for long.

On the plus side, the area is affordable, but on the down side, it is extremely residential and it’s the kind of Chicago neighborhood that makes you glad to own a car. There’s no reason to visit Burnside if you are only in Chicago for a few days – and if you do find yourself here, take precautions to stay safe.

This is the area where I spent my first years of life and attended kindergarten. That was over 60 years ago. We left because the neighborhood was changing rapidly, crime was rising and my parents thought our growing family would do better in a Chicago Suburb.

I have fond memories of tall, leafy trees; large parks, a school, still there, Burnside Elementary, that smelled totally like delicious chocolate milk; our apartment building's large sunken front lawn that once flooded, causing my Dad to run out and buy a group of baby ducklings to swim in it. My mother, naturally, didn't approve.

I'm afraid that Burnside today would shock me with the harsh realities of the changes it has weathered since then. I saw no rave reviews or glowing accounts from residents about their home community. But if you can't say something nice, you're not half trying.

Here are some good things I learned from investigating my childhood home:

*At least one parent defends Burnside Elementary as a good school where her child is getting a decent education.

*Kids like to go to the local skating rink which one reviewer termed "very ghetto" because it's inexpensive, with the warning to go only "if you can endure". She goes on to say, "Kids come here to show off and hook up."

Another skating rink reviewer wrote, "This place is off the chain! What if it is ghetto! You won't find Tonya Harding here, only the real skaters go here. You gotta know some tricks on wheels or else you'll look stupid. Don't bring a lot of cash with you--a twenty will do just fine. Don't ever go alone."

*Artis Lounge - for Jazz & Blues in Burnside is the only hint of nightlife I saw in all the resources I looked at. Apparently it is popular. One reviewer wrote, "I have stopped by here a couple of times, and both times were pleasurable experiences. Free blues music on Monday nights can't be beat. While it's not the best stuff I've heard, it certainly sounds a lot better with the generous pours and prices on their libations."

Another wrote, "Place was pretty packed on both Monday nights I went there. Also, this place isn't for the faint of heart. John Barleycorn or Delilah's this is not. So don't expect that out of this lounge. What you will find are real, decent people enjoying some liquid refreshments with some decent live blues music."

*This is definitely the an excellent place to live if you have children. You're not too far from Children's Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park, and right in Burnside stands the renowned University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital at 1111 E. 87th Street.

*Another fine institution found right there is Chicago State University.

*Homes are fairly affordable. Real estate statistics for 2000 show 1,066 homes, of which 723 were classified as single family homes. The median home sale price in this area for 2005 was $146,250.

*One reviewer loved Burnside's Porter Grill and called the food "great." This reviewer wrote that the Teriyaki Chicken was the best they'd ever had.

So there's a few nice things about Burnside, Chicago. You'll notice I didn't mention crime. There's a few other categories missing as well.

The triangle is the strongest geometric shape; this neighborhood shaped as a triangle is showing its strength and reliance. Once a middle class area the area experienced urban decay and white flight in the past but is rapidly trending toward growth and development. It is an area to watch. I am excited to see what comes of it.

As of now it is a middle class area with some less than nice areas. However the entire area shows lots of potential.