Lawndale
Ranked 62nd best neighborhood in Chicago
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Great for
- Neighborly Spirit
- Public Transport
- Cost of Living
- Eating Out
- Internet Access
Not great for
- Clean & Green
- Parking
- Gym & Fitness
- Safe & Sound
- Medical Facilities
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
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Reviews
Lawndale
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Parking
- Public Transport
"Lawndale - Lots of History and Looking for a Better Future"
I volunteered at an elementary school in Lawndale several years ago. The neighborhood has its problems, but the people living there are friendly and looking for change. There is definitely a crime issue in the area, especially in the infamous K-town area, known for gang & drug activity. In the past 10 years or so it’s been getting gradually better, and some new housing and community developments have helped it along. There are a lot of community groups in Lawndale working for the betterment of their neighborhood.
Although I wouldn’t recommend hanging out in Lawndale really, there are some gorgeous greystone buildings in the area and Douglas Park is a big, green place to enjoy. A lot of buildings and businesses are boarded up though.
The area does have an interesting history. It used to be a Jewish neighborhood. African Americans moved in around the ‘50s. Lawndale was the site of the original Sears headquarters, which is still there but filled with other businesses. Cobra Records, the famous blues label, had its studio there. Martin Luther King, Jr. also lived in an apartment in Lawndale while he worked in Chicago. The building was torn down after his assassination and following race riots that ripped through the neighborhood.
Although I wouldn’t recommend hanging out in Lawndale really, there are some gorgeous greystone buildings in the area and Douglas Park is a big, green place to enjoy. A lot of buildings and businesses are boarded up though.
The area does have an interesting history. It used to be a Jewish neighborhood. African Americans moved in around the ‘50s. Lawndale was the site of the original Sears headquarters, which is still there but filled with other businesses. Cobra Records, the famous blues label, had its studio there. Martin Luther King, Jr. also lived in an apartment in Lawndale while he worked in Chicago. The building was torn down after his assassination and following race riots that ripped through the neighborhood.
Pros
- Residential
Cons
- still some crime
Recommended for
- Families with kids
Lawndale
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Eating Out
- Lack of Traffic
- Cost of Living
- Public Transport
"Old Industry Meets New Growth"
The former home of Sears headquarters, the Lawndale neighborhood saw a lot of growth in the early 1900s. In the years since many of the industries departed, the area has struggled to recover economically. The growth throughout the 1990s and in recent years has breathed new life into this once-desolate area. Its West Side location makes Lawndale a popular family area, but there are a few other things of note here.
Locals flock to the neighborhood in the summer for what is arguably the best farmer’s market in the city. The Lawndale Chicago Farmers Market is found on South Homan and runs from June to October. Within the Lawndale neighborhood are the smaller communities of Homan Square and K-Town, so named for the many north-south streets that begin with “K”. The area has seen its share of ups and downs in the past, but today it is the midst of revitalization and has much potential for the future.
Aside from the Farmers Market, Lawndale has a few eateries, theaters, and some shopping. Nothing to write home about, this is a pretty quiet neighborhood with a diverse culture. Lawndale is set to keep growing into the future, so I’m curious to see what its future holds.
Locals flock to the neighborhood in the summer for what is arguably the best farmer’s market in the city. The Lawndale Chicago Farmers Market is found on South Homan and runs from June to October. Within the Lawndale neighborhood are the smaller communities of Homan Square and K-Town, so named for the many north-south streets that begin with “K”. The area has seen its share of ups and downs in the past, but today it is the midst of revitalization and has much potential for the future.
Aside from the Farmers Market, Lawndale has a few eateries, theaters, and some shopping. Nothing to write home about, this is a pretty quiet neighborhood with a diverse culture. Lawndale is set to keep growing into the future, so I’m curious to see what its future holds.
Pros
- Residential
Cons
- Hasn't yet realized its potential
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Families with kids
Lawndale
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 has potential, but most of that potential is currently unrealized"
Lawndale has some potential as an up and coming neighborhood in Chicago. Unfortunately, it still has a ways to go before I'd call it a great neighborhood.
First thing to note in Lawndale is all the history. The area was a base of operations in Chicago for the civil rights movement in the 60's, and after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed the neighborhood was all but destroyed in the ensuing race riots. Many businesses left the area, and this is still affecting the neighborhood all these many years later. There have been some attempts to revitalize in the last 10 to 20 years, but so far it hasn't had a dramatic enough effect to make Lawndale terribly attractive to prospective buyers.
Home prices are relatively low, but there are some empty lots and a bit more crime than your average Chicago neighborhood. I wouldn't feel all that comfortable walking down the street at night.
Dining is relatively sparse as well. Most dining locales are low key. Mostly pizza and burger joints. Nightlife is also next to nothing, but I'm sure there are a few bars if you are desperate for a drink.
Travel isn't too bad, much like most of Chicago, it has good public transportation, and there's plenty of parking. The negative to the parking is that there are a number of meters. Just bring some change and you'll be fine.
Overall, the main thing I think of when I look at Lawndale is potential. If some of the attempts to revitalize take hold, the neighborhood could become a great place to live. It isn't that far from the Loop, and if you got rid of some of the empty lots and put in high quality homes, it could be nice. For them moment though, it isn't a place I visit much and wouldn't consider living there for the time being.
First thing to note in Lawndale is all the history. The area was a base of operations in Chicago for the civil rights movement in the 60's, and after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed the neighborhood was all but destroyed in the ensuing race riots. Many businesses left the area, and this is still affecting the neighborhood all these many years later. There have been some attempts to revitalize in the last 10 to 20 years, but so far it hasn't had a dramatic enough effect to make Lawndale terribly attractive to prospective buyers.
Home prices are relatively low, but there are some empty lots and a bit more crime than your average Chicago neighborhood. I wouldn't feel all that comfortable walking down the street at night.
Dining is relatively sparse as well. Most dining locales are low key. Mostly pizza and burger joints. Nightlife is also next to nothing, but I'm sure there are a few bars if you are desperate for a drink.
Travel isn't too bad, much like most of Chicago, it has good public transportation, and there's plenty of parking. The negative to the parking is that there are a number of meters. Just bring some change and you'll be fine.
Overall, the main thing I think of when I look at Lawndale is potential. If some of the attempts to revitalize take hold, the neighborhood could become a great place to live. It isn't that far from the Loop, and if you got rid of some of the empty lots and put in high quality homes, it could be nice. For them moment though, it isn't a place I visit much and wouldn't consider living there for the time being.
Pros
- Affordable
- Some neighborhood rebuilding has occurred
- Residential
Cons
- Hasn't yet realized its potential
- Little for shopping
- Not terribly safe
Recommended for
- Singles
