Galewood

I used to work in the Galewood neighborhood, which is on the far west side of Chicago. It is very quiet and residential, although there is a little bit of crime going on in the area. It’s also not the most well-taken-care-of area.

The people who live in the area are mostly families and elderly people. There are mainly homes lining the street rather than apartments or condos, so the neighborhood definitely lends itself to these kinds of residents.

The restaurants, bars and other businesses are kind of non-descript, but there are some good Mexican places, especially along Grand Avenue. Ody’s is good for hot dogs and Alpine Deli on North Avenue makes really delicious sandwiches.

Riis Park is pretty big and has a nice path for walking, as well as a public pool. The Brickyard mall is also in Galewood. There used to be an indoor mall here, but now it’s really just a very large strip mall. There’s a Jewel, Target, Starbucks, and a bunch of other chain stores.

Like some other neighborhoods along the edges of the city Galewood has a slightly more suburban feel to it. There’s definitely not a lot going on, but it’s a nice, quiet place for families and older people.

Although technically a part of the massive Austin neighborhood, Galewood is an entity all its own. Found in the city’s northwestern section, Galewood is a residential area and is home to several schools. The rich family feeling of the area is balanced by the presence of students attending Concordia University, Dominican University, Triton College, and Wright Junior College. Not necessarily the place for hipsters or the younger crowd, Galewood is a quiet locale well suited for families or retirees.

I rarely have occasion to visit Galewood, but when I do I enjoy the overall feeling of tranquility throughout the neighborhood. It has many impressive homes, many of which are representative of some of my favorite architectural styles. There really isn’t much for visitors here, which is how Galewood has maintained such a quiet family feeling throughout its history.

If you’re looking for a place to settle down, you can find stunning houses at reasonable rates. If you’re looking for something exciting to do, don’t bother coming here. Its overall look represents Chicago well, so it does appeal to natives that are ready to enjoy a quieter way of life. I’d say Galewood is certainly a Chicago staple, but there isn’t much going on for visitors.