Rogers Park

Rogers Park is a cool neighborhood by the lake, but it’s FAR. Far from downtown and very far to travel if you don’t live on the north side. But it’s definitely worth a visit and would be a great place to live. The area is really diverse – one of the most diverse places in the city, with a ton of different immigrant populations. It didn’t used to have a great reputation, but it’s getting much safer there. The atmosphere is friendly and great for families and singles alike. Loyola University attracts students to the area too.

There’s so much going on in the area it’s hard to pick a few things!

The lakefront in Rogers Park is really nice. The beaches are cleaner and less crowded than anywhere else (maybe I shouldn’t have given that away!).

The food in Rogers Park is a smorgasbord from across the world. There’s Indian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Caribbean, sushi, coffee shops…the list goes on and on. The Heartland Café is an awesome place to eat that has a lot of vegetarian options, a hippie vibe and a little shop attached.

There’s plenty of interesting shops, and a little arts district with galleries and theaters.

Found on the far North Side of the city just south of Evanston, Rogers Park is a little off the beaten path. Rich with history and diversity, the neighborhood is nestled along Lake Michigan and offers many areas of secluded access to the lake. Residents of Rogers Park include families, couples, singles, and retirees that are in search of a calm area of the city to call home.

In recent years, Rogers Park has made a comeback from its early roots and is slowly becoming one of Chicago’s trendier areas. Within the boundaries of this community, you’ll find a growing number of boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, and quaint cafés. The popular Loyola University is also found here and prominent Northwestern University is just north in the city of Evanston.

As the area grows, many expect it to rise to the top of the chain of hot spots in Chicago. Once an area that was avoided by some, today Rogers Park has evolved into a quiet and charming area that attracts everyone from retirees

Rogers Park is a nice area where I see a lot of growth coming over the next few years, which could push if from a nice neighborhood to a great neighborhood. It may take some time before it ranks with the best of the city such as Wicker Park, Bucktown, or the Loop, but it has some nice attractions for those looking to live or just visit.

First, Rogers Park is right on Lake Michigan. There are good beaches, such as the North Shore Avenue Park and Beach, which has a lot going for it besides the lake and the view of the city. North Shore has some volleyball courts and fitness areas for the more active. A really nice day can be spent there with family and friends.

Another thing that can be a big attraction is Loyola University. Of course, students will be around Rogers Park, which I feel is great for more than just the students themselves. I like to be in an area with other young people. I’ve lived in areas where I’d swear I’m the youngest guy by 20 years, and it can get lonely. You don’t have this problem in Rogers Park. It isn’t quite Wicker Park in this respect, but it definitely helps.

The area can be a little expensive, but it’s not that much pricier than other neighborhoods, and I like a well-off area. They tend to be safer, and you can still get a decent place without selling your soul. I wouldn’t say Rogers Park is the safest place, but I’d feel safe enough walking at night. I wouldn’t suggest any of my female friends do it though.

There is some good dining in the area, specifically Speakeasy. It’s a nice restaurant where you can get some of the best scallops I’ve ever had. I can’t recall the name of the dish, but it was really good. Without question, it’s a reason to visit.

There are some good bars and clubs in the area, which I attribute to the University. You can hear some good live music at the Red Line Tap, which, as its name suggests, is right next to the Red Line of the El.

Overall, Rogers Park is a good place to visit, and I suspect a good place to live. I might end up living there for a while, if I can’t find a place in Wicker Park or Bucktown.

EDITED: I wanted to update my review of Rogers Park, but that's not to say I totally disagree with what I wrote before, just that I want to be sure I give some new thoughts as I've been visiting a lot lately. I have two buddies who share an apartment on Sheridan Rd, and after hanging out with them and at a few local bars and restaurants, I'm a bigger fan of Rogers Park than before. I always liked it well enough, but it's evolved for me. The beaches are gorgeous, at least on the nicer late-summer Saturdays, and some streets are actually quite pretty. That said, I think the neighborhood is a bit hit or miss when it comes to crime, with it being darn near block by block in terms of safety. I'd say it's overall quite safe, but there are parts where I wouldn't want to live or even visit alone, but then there are streets where I'd be totally comfortable having my girlfriend walk to her car alone at night (though I'm never allowed to let her walk alone, and generally don't complain since I know the one time I don't walk her is the time something will happen).

The CTA Red Line is right there as well, with a few stops in the neighborhood, and it's not hard to get to from most parts of the area, so that's nice. The Red Line goes all the way downtown, though I don't like taking it since it makes a ton of stops and can be so busy it's like a sardine can on occasion. If you're on the Northern edge of Rogers Park you can take the Purple Line at the Howard stop, and that's way faster downtown and is generally less busy. Plus, the Red Line gets a lot of Wrigley fans (I'm a Cubs fan, but the drunk fans are a pain), so something crazy always seems to happen. Still, Rogers Park in general has some quality public transportation options, and I've never struggled to much to find parking, though I suspect that's due to where my friends live (they're right near the beach where there's a good parking lot).

Regardless, Rogers Park is one of my favorite Chicago neighborhoods now, and I think if you hunt for a nice place you'll be happy with what you find!

One of Rogers' Park greatest appeals is that it's very close to Lake Michigan. You don't have to go far to enjoy a breezy, sunny day at one of it's many beachfront parks. Occasionally you can find a cart vendor selling food nearby. I can think of at least four theater companies in the area putting up live productions year-round. The neighborhood also has a diverse population. You'll find restaurants ranging from Jamacian, Mexican, Ethiopian, Peruvian, Chinese, Mediterranean bistros, American diners, Italian pizza places, and even some Organic and Vegetarian cafes. I've been to a few of these and they generally have live music playing on certain nights. There are a few chain grocery stores but most are family owned where you can get great deals on meats and vegetables. The area hosts a farmer's market during the summer as well. The daytime is fine, but at night crime still lingers (I've had my bike stolen). Overall though, with the Red Line and express busses to downtown Chicago, your never far from transportation. I've lived in other neighborhoods and I had to move back to the area for the quiet, laid-back feel you get living so far, and yet so close to the city.