Beverly

Beverly is a visually interesting area of Chicago, in part, because it has a few hills, which is definitely a rarity in the city. If you are familiar with Chicago, then you know that Chicago, while rich in many ways, is one seriously flat area. Located on the South Side of Chicago, Beverly is predominantly white with a smaller but sizable African-American community. Overall, the area is largely Irish, and it is one of the more affluent areas of the city.

One major area highlight is the Beverly Arts Center which is a major hub in the area for all things art, including cinema and dance. The Beverly Arts Center has an impressive art gallery and holds a variety of different and diverse events ranging from wine tastings to live music performances. All of this helps to make the Beverly Arts Center consistently draw people from all across Chicago to see a variety of performances. Those looking for cutting edge independent cinema in Chicago will love a trip to the BAC as there is always something interesting playing. In fact, film classes are even offered on site, and film festivals such as the Polish Film Festival in America and the Chicago Irish FIlm Festival have relationships with the BAC.

Beverly is a real breath of fresh air. Located on the southwestern tip of the South Side, Beverly is a true residential area that as much to offer. Largely an Irish settlement originally, today its community includes a balance of African Americans, Irish Catholics, and a few other ethnicities. One of the biggest draws in the area is the Beverly Arts Center, which gives the community a creative spin you won’t find elsewhere. I really love this neighborhood.

One drawback of Beverly is the fact that it’s a little out of the way—or a lot out of the way if you prefer public transportation. If you don’t mind a bit of a trip, I think it’s worth it. The overall feeling of the neighborhood is friendly, energetic, and safe. It’s a great place for families, but is also well suited for young professionals, singles, and visitors.

There are a few pubs and eateries in the mix, making it a fun place to hang out and giving residents plenty to do. The prices here are pretty affordable, both in homes and apartments, and it’s a unique setting. Even though it’s a little out of reach, I’d list Beverly as one of my favorites in the city.

Beverly is a traditionally Irish neighborhood on the far south side. Most people who live there have been there forever, and it has a real family feel. Neighbors all know each other, and most residential buildings are houses instead of apartments and condos. It has a slightly suburban feel too for this reason and that it’s closer to the south suburbs than the rest of the city. The El doesn’t even go this far – you have to take the Metra train if you want to get there.

Given the history of the neighborhood, most of the bars there are of the Irish pub variety. But they’re actual neighborhood Irish pubs, unlike the “McIrish” bars that are all over neighborhoods like Lakeview. These ones are local and low-key. Most of them are along Western Avenue.

The neighborhood used to host the annual south side St. Patrick’s Day parade, but the area voted to discontinue it because too many idiots were coming down for one day, trashing the streets and peeing in people’s lawn (yes, literally). Eve

This neighborhood is definitely made for families. Being one of the safest communities in Chicago as well as having some of the best schools in the city make it a perfect place to raise a family. The cost of living continues to rise, here and elsewhere, but you can still get a place without breaking the bank. You might stress the bank a bit, but it should still be intact.

Beverly has one of the stronger Irish populations in the city, and the hard working, good people tend to stay in their community. Many families stay here for more than a generation, and that's because they love it, not because they can't escape.

The biggest downside to Beverly would have to be the nightlife. It isn't a place to visit unless you're looking to go for a walk. It's not bad for walking, but it wouldn't exactly be a tourist destination.

Again, the safety lends itself to certain activities, and many of them are outdoor-based, but if you're looking to go club hopping, you might want to try elsewhere. You can have a beer at a local Irish bar, and that has its charm, but it isn't for everyone.

Overall, I'd give Beverly a solid recommendation for anyone looking to raise a family. You'll get some great neighbors, and a good community to feel your kids are safe.

Pretty far from the action, I’d say, but residents love this neighborhood because it’s not only one of the safest places in the entirety of Chicago, but it has great access to just about everything you need for city life. If you like to bike up and down hills, you may be interested to know that this is just about the only place around where you can find such things. A long-time stronghold for Irish families, Beverly is about as residential as it gets. Families enjoy easy access to groceries and banks, but no one in their right mind would be out here to party – or even sightsee. I can understand, however, why a resident of a busier neighborhood might enjoy rollerblading in the area. Not only are there great hills perfect for activities on wheels, but Beverly offers a kind of respite from city life – if you need a bit of a break from it. You’d have to be pretty established financially to invest in real estate down here these days – the area tends to be home to people who have lived here for quite some time.

When you enter the Beverly section of Chicago you feel like you've stepped out of a major city and into a quiet suburban homestead. Those who live in Beverly have usually been there for awhile and the community feel is strong. It's a great place for a family just starting out who wants to feel like they are a part of a community rather than just simply people living in close proximity to others.

Those living in the area are friendly, the schools are good and the overall feel of the neighborhood is safe. While it is quiet there are plenty of chances to become social. The area is rich in Irish pubs and has a fairly strong night scene for those looking for it, but unlike the hopping nightclub atmosphere of other areas the Beverly night scene feels a bit more personal and close-knit. The bars and pubs maintain a solid "neighborhood bar" persona that seems welcoming and warm rather than outrageous and ostentatious.

Overall the area is quiet and a great place for a young couple or a new family.

It's hard to believe that Beverly is really part of Chicago, and not just because it is so far south and west or because it has hills. It is also breathtakingly beautiful, diverse but well-integrated, boasts a castle and has wonderful architecture. Yet it really is a Chicago neighborhood and is only 15 minutes by car from the Loop and a half-hour by train.

It is a quaint Irish village within the City. Singles may not care for its nightlife, since its east side is dry, and the remainder is scattered with Irish pubs. It is primarily a residential neighborhood. You won't find many retail outlets or Starbucks on multiple strip malls.

The neighborhoods haven't changed much with time. They are full of modest bungalows and brick Tudors lying between over-sized Spanish-style and sweeping Prairie Style houses. Beverly is a study in residential architecture from the 1860s to the 1940s. Few new houses have been built since then. Home Tours are very popular.

Beverly's grandest houses line "the ridge," as it is known, along Longwood Drive. This section was left behind by a glacier for wealthy Chicagoans to build their post- Great Chicago Fire houses in a rural area. The median price for a single-family home in Beverly is $269,000.


Century-old churches anchor the neighborhood and add to its architectural diversity. They include the Givens Castle (now a Unitarian church), built in 1886 to mimic an Irish castle.

Now, Beverly boasts three locally designated landmark districts: Longwood Drive District, Walter Burley Griffin Place District and the Beverly/Morgan Railroad District. The Ridge Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. And five houses are Chicago landmarks, including two of Frank Lloyd Wright's American System-Built houses.

Beverly's public school scores reflect the high level of education of its families. Morgan Park High School ranks 102 in ACT scores among Chicago-area high schools , which is higher than most Chicago public high schools. Beverly has three Catholic schools and is near several other private schools including Morgan Park Academy (preschool-12) and P.L.A.I.D. Academy (K-8).

Beverly's lifeline is the Metra Rock Island, which has five stations here. Thousands of residents head into the Loop by train daily, including many city workers.

Beverly doesn't have the housing turnover that some other Chicago neighborhoods have. Crime is also much lower.

Until just this past year, it was for over 30 years the home of the South Side Irish Parade held every St. Patrick's Day. Many are disappointed about this cancellation, but the parade grew to be too popular with too many people in attendance.

Beverly and Irish Chicago are pretty much synonymous. It is where "South Side Irish" takes its roots. Until recently it was the home to Chicago's South Side Irish Parade.

There is so much to say about Beverly it is hard to contain myself to a few excepts.

The neighborhood spirit is is contagious. Families quite often look out for one another. Many of the cities police officers and firefighters make their homes in this area so it is considered very safe.

Western Avenue has many (many being a broad understatement) Irish pubs that transform into night spots on Friday/Saturday nights where many of the younger crowd socialize.

It is a thriving community that is rich in history one of my favorite areas in the city by far.

I have lived in the Beverly/Morgan Park area since 1989. When we bought our house we paid $84,000. Today it is worth at least $350,000. We could not afford to move into Beverly today, but that's a good thing. The economy has been bad, but the cost of living here continues to go up. We are on par with Lincoln Park. The schools are excellent here. It's one of the few places in Chicago where you can send your child to a public school and he or she will still get a good education. There is low crime. It's a great place to raise a family. My children were born and raised here and although they will leave to attend college, my hunch is that they will return to the neighborhood to raise their own families.