South Shore
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Great for
- Parks & Recreation
- Neighborly Spirit
- Parking
- Peace & Quiet
- Public Transport
Not great for
- Shopping Options
- Pest Free
- Lack of Traffic
- Medical Facilities
- Nightlife
Who lives here?
- Families with kids
- Professionals
- Singles
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Reviews
South Shore
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Parking
- Public Transport
"South Shore - Pretty & Plenty of Culture"
South Shore is just south of the Hyde Park neighborhood. Jackson Park is just to the north – one of the nicest in the city! Like a lot of the lakefront on the south side, South Shore has some beautiful buildings. A walk around the neighborhood will pass by mansions, bungalows and the South Shore Cultural Center, which used to be a country club for rich Chicagoans trying to ‘get away.’ The streets are tree-lined and quiet. South Shore is a middle-class, mostly African American area, and is a great place to live or visit.
There are neighborhood corner bars with lives blues and jazz. There’s a lot of good food in the area too. A lot of the places are soul food and Caribbean fare. Army & Lou’s is a really well-known soul food spot. Soul Vegetarian East is also really delicious. I think both might technically be in Grand Crossing, which is the neighborhood right to the west of South Shore.
There is a nice lakefront park with a beach that’s popular but not overly crowded like those on the north side or downtown.
There are neighborhood corner bars with lives blues and jazz. There’s a lot of good food in the area too. A lot of the places are soul food and Caribbean fare. Army & Lou’s is a really well-known soul food spot. Soul Vegetarian East is also really delicious. I think both might technically be in Grand Crossing, which is the neighborhood right to the west of South Shore.
There is a nice lakefront park with a beach that’s popular but not overly crowded like those on the north side or downtown.
Pros
- great for families
Recommended for
- Families with kids
South Shore
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Home to the impressive South Shore Cultural Center"
South Shore is mostly African-American area that is near the lake in the Southern part of Chicago. In fact, it is farther South even than Hyde Park. As a result, South Shore isn't particularly close to downtown. However, it is right on Lakeshore Drive, so that is a definite plus when it comes to convenience. Apparently, Michelle Obama is from South Shore Chicago, so that is one claim to fame for this neighborhood.
As far as safety goes, South Shore seems to be a little sketchy. While there are some wealthy residents, there is also a good amount of crime. This neighborhood contends with some gang violence too. If you move to this part of Chicago, you probably won't feel too safe overall.
South Shore does have some interesting landmarks that are definitely worth checking out. For example, there is the South Shore Cultural Center. This is an impressive looking building on the lake and has some historic significance as it was built in the early 1900's. The South Shore Cultural Center is situated on a huge piece of land. There are a variety of different things to do at the center including golf, horse back riding, tennis and different classes. Plus, this is where Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were married!
As far as safety goes, South Shore seems to be a little sketchy. While there are some wealthy residents, there is also a good amount of crime. This neighborhood contends with some gang violence too. If you move to this part of Chicago, you probably won't feel too safe overall.
South Shore does have some interesting landmarks that are definitely worth checking out. For example, there is the South Shore Cultural Center. This is an impressive looking building on the lake and has some historic significance as it was built in the early 1900's. The South Shore Cultural Center is situated on a huge piece of land. There are a variety of different things to do at the center including golf, horse back riding, tennis and different classes. Plus, this is where Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were married!
Recommended for
- Families with kids
South Shore
"Average in every way."
South Shore is simply an average neighborhood in an incredibly amazing city. Chicago has so much to offer, but South Shore just seems to fall short especially considering it's proximity to the lake.
The areas claim to fame is the access to the Lake which draws a huge amount of visitors during the warmer months, but unlike other neighborhoods along the Lake South Shore has failed to utilize that fame to really improve the neighborhood. The shopping is pretty sparse and the eateries in the area are nothing to write home about. There are some small historical points of interest, but again nothing that will draw a large crowd. The crime is not a rampant issue, but I would hardly consider the area one of the safer neighborhoods in the city. Simply put South Shore is nothing special and could likely be glossed over by most visitors. Those looking for a fairly affordable housing option in a reasonably safe area could be drawn to South Shore if they were willing to sacrifice a great nightlife, or wonderful food, but overall the area is simply okay.
The areas claim to fame is the access to the Lake which draws a huge amount of visitors during the warmer months, but unlike other neighborhoods along the Lake South Shore has failed to utilize that fame to really improve the neighborhood. The shopping is pretty sparse and the eateries in the area are nothing to write home about. There are some small historical points of interest, but again nothing that will draw a large crowd. The crime is not a rampant issue, but I would hardly consider the area one of the safer neighborhoods in the city. Simply put South Shore is nothing special and could likely be glossed over by most visitors. Those looking for a fairly affordable housing option in a reasonably safe area could be drawn to South Shore if they were willing to sacrifice a great nightlife, or wonderful food, but overall the area is simply okay.
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
South Shore
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"It sure seems nice…"
South Shore is a bit of a two faced neighborhood. In some ways, it seems very nice, but at the same time, crime can be a bit of a problem and there isn’t all that much to speak of in the area.
When you walk down some of the streets, you start to think that South Shore is pretty nice. There can be a lot of trees along the sidewalks, and you would be tempted to take a nice stroll. I’ve never personally had a problem there, but I have heard a number of reports that crime is high in the area. It also doesn’t seem to be going through any big improvements either. I don’t see gentrification sweeping through the area and fixing some of the problems.
That said, it is the home (or former home) of First Lady Michelle Obama and rapper Kanye West. It is certainly possible that Mrs. Obama could make the neighborhood a pet project and help generate interest, making for some improvements. I wouldn’t rule it out, but I haven’t really heard or seen anything as of yet that would indicate it happening any time soon.
Food and shopping is relatively sparse in South Shore. I can’t say there are any special restaurants in the area, and while there’s a Starbucks and a few halfway decent places, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone looking for a night on the town.
One bright spot in South Shore is the South Shore Community Center. There is a ton to do there, and I would definitely recommend it to a visitor of the city. As the neighborhood name implies, you can get right onto the beach, and while Lake Michigan is a really cold lake, on a warm day (as I right this it’s over 90 degrees outside) you might end up very happy jumping in the lake to cool off. There’s a golf course, lots of trails to walk on, and a lot of activities for the community to enjoy. Without question, if you were looking to live in South Shore, the Community Center is the reason to do so.
When you walk down some of the streets, you start to think that South Shore is pretty nice. There can be a lot of trees along the sidewalks, and you would be tempted to take a nice stroll. I’ve never personally had a problem there, but I have heard a number of reports that crime is high in the area. It also doesn’t seem to be going through any big improvements either. I don’t see gentrification sweeping through the area and fixing some of the problems.
That said, it is the home (or former home) of First Lady Michelle Obama and rapper Kanye West. It is certainly possible that Mrs. Obama could make the neighborhood a pet project and help generate interest, making for some improvements. I wouldn’t rule it out, but I haven’t really heard or seen anything as of yet that would indicate it happening any time soon.
Food and shopping is relatively sparse in South Shore. I can’t say there are any special restaurants in the area, and while there’s a Starbucks and a few halfway decent places, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone looking for a night on the town.
One bright spot in South Shore is the South Shore Community Center. There is a ton to do there, and I would definitely recommend it to a visitor of the city. As the neighborhood name implies, you can get right onto the beach, and while Lake Michigan is a really cold lake, on a warm day (as I right this it’s over 90 degrees outside) you might end up very happy jumping in the lake to cool off. There’s a golf course, lots of trails to walk on, and a lot of activities for the community to enjoy. Without question, if you were looking to live in South Shore, the Community Center is the reason to do so.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Great park
- Nice for a walk, pretty area, for the most part
Cons
- Abysmal nightlife
- Not terribly safe
- I don't see a lot of improvements on the horizon
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
