Calumet Heights

Calumet Heights is a South Chicago middle-class neighborhood with a bit of a average feel. Drive through this neighborhood in the dead of winter in Chicago and you will know what I mean. There isn't anything really special about Calumet Heights, it is just a lot of sprawl with small houses that have fairly average architecture. You will see lot of bungalows and split-level dwellings. There is definitely a suburban feeling here... even though you are still in the city. On the bright side, residents have yards and big sidewalks.

While Calumet Heights is home mostly to African-Americans, you will see other ethnicities as well. In fact, overall, this neighborhood is pretty diverse. Fairly recently, a lot of Latinos have moved in.

As far as what there is to do, it isn't too earthshattering. There is the Marcus Western Heights Cinemas on Hilltop Avenue. Calumet Heights does also have a branch of the excellent Chicago chain restaurant Leona's.

Like many South Side neighborhoods, it can take awhile to get to other parts of the city. The Red line runs through South Chicago, but you will likely have to take a bus to get to the El. This can be a bit of a hassle if you don't feel like spending a lot of time on public transportation.

Calumet Heights is a lower class residential neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. Almost everything here is residential. I remember a handful of places to eat, mostly pizza joints (this is Chicago), but the houses were the main characteristic of the area.

I would say that Calumet Heights is reasonably safe, and it is a fairly diverse neighborhood, which I think helps the overall atmosphere. When any area of the city is dominated by a single group of people it detracts from the experience. I won't call it the best place, but you could certainly raise a family here, and have a lot of fun. The streets felt safe enough to me, and I think you could go for a nice walk without feeling unsafe.

It can be hard to find something to do here, and it certainly isn't a neighborhood for tourists, but I like Calumet Heights for the atmosphere it provides. Good for families, maybe a little boring for singles.