O'Hare
Ranked 54th best neighborhood in Chicago
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Great for
- Public Transport
- Safe & Sound
- Neighborly Spirit
- Parking
- Gym & Fitness
Not great for
- Lack of Traffic
- Nightlife
- Peace & Quiet
- Pest Free
- Cost of Living
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Singles
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Reviews
O'Hare
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
"Dominated by the large O'Hare airport"
The O'Hare area of Chicago at the furthest most edge of the city. If you look at a map of Chicago, it is the perplexing and mysterious looking area that is seemingly attached via a thin land bridge. This is, of course, due in part to the fact that the massive O'Hare area is also home to the impressively large O'Hare airport which for decades has remained one of the world's largest and busiest airports. While this area may have a relatively small population at around 10,000, there is no denying O'Hare's impact on Chicago, surrounding suburbs and, in fact, the entire Midwest. Honestly, I wouldn't want to live in the O'Hare area as not only is it far from downtown, but also the constant planes would drive me crazy!
It would be foolish to pretend that the O'Hare airport does not dominate the entire area, for it does. However, there are other notable points to the area as well. The O'Hare area is also home to the headquarters of a variety of large businesses, including US Cellular and Bally Total Fitness, to name two. Yet, it is the presence of the airport that provides much of the vitality and the economic activity for the reason. Numerous businesses, restaurants and hotels are encircle the airport serving travelers from around the world.
It would be foolish to pretend that the O'Hare airport does not dominate the entire area, for it does. However, there are other notable points to the area as well. The O'Hare area is also home to the headquarters of a variety of large businesses, including US Cellular and Bally Total Fitness, to name two. Yet, it is the presence of the airport that provides much of the vitality and the economic activity for the reason. Numerous businesses, restaurants and hotels are encircle the airport serving travelers from around the world.
Pros
- Easy commutes to suburbs or downtown
Cons
- Far removed from the center of the city
Recommended for
- Families with kids
- Retirees
O'Hare
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Shopping Options
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Public Transport
"O'Hare - All Business"
O’Hare is so busy, I usually avoid it and fly out of Midway whenever I can.
The surrounding neighborhood definitely has a more suburban feel to it, being on the outskirts of the city. There are residential areas here, and I can tell you from experience that it is REALLY noisy. Sitting in a backyard with planes flying LOW overhead all day isn’t really relaxing. BUT, people who live over there are used to it and it’s not a big deal to them. If you drive (I do not) the traffic near O’Hare can get absolutely terrible because of the airport, especially on the highway.
There are a lot of businesses in the area, so you’ll see a lot of mid-height corporate looking buildings all over the place. There’s also a lot of generic hotels surrounding the airport.
The restaurants around the area are mostly chain restaurants that you find out in the suburbs and a lot of fast food. I know there’s also a few outposts of popular steakhouses that cater to the business crowd.
To the east are the small towns of Norridge and Harwood Heights, and then more of Chicago. The land that O’Hare sits on was incorporated into the city when the airport was built, but these two communities were in the way and remain their own towns. They are much more family-friendly and residential.
The surrounding neighborhood definitely has a more suburban feel to it, being on the outskirts of the city. There are residential areas here, and I can tell you from experience that it is REALLY noisy. Sitting in a backyard with planes flying LOW overhead all day isn’t really relaxing. BUT, people who live over there are used to it and it’s not a big deal to them. If you drive (I do not) the traffic near O’Hare can get absolutely terrible because of the airport, especially on the highway.
There are a lot of businesses in the area, so you’ll see a lot of mid-height corporate looking buildings all over the place. There’s also a lot of generic hotels surrounding the airport.
The restaurants around the area are mostly chain restaurants that you find out in the suburbs and a lot of fast food. I know there’s also a few outposts of popular steakhouses that cater to the business crowd.
To the east are the small towns of Norridge and Harwood Heights, and then more of Chicago. The land that O’Hare sits on was incorporated into the city when the airport was built, but these two communities were in the way and remain their own towns. They are much more family-friendly and residential.
Pros
- Easy commutes to suburbs or downtown
Cons
- not much going on
Recommended for
- Professionals
O'Hare
"O'Hare Airport & a Thriving Community"
If you’ve flown to Chicago, chances are you’ve at least been to the O’Hare neighborhood. Even though most people think the only thing you’ll find in this neighborhood is the O’Hare International Airport, it certainly has a lot more to offer. Found on the far northwest side of the city, this neighborhood is ethnically diverse and is home to many of the city’s most prominent businesses.
O’Hare is one of the 77 official communities in Chicago. In addition to being a major residential area, it is also where you’ll find headquarters of many large corporations. For commuters to or from O’Hare, you can’t beat the easy access to major roadways and public transportation. Even though it’s a bit of a distance from downtown, many locals prefer the seclusion of the neighborhood as compared to some of the areas closer to downtown.
The O’Hare neighborhood does have a lot to offer, but it isn’t for everyone. The major drawbacks of the area would be its distance from the popular Chicago att
O’Hare is one of the 77 official communities in Chicago. In addition to being a major residential area, it is also where you’ll find headquarters of many large corporations. For commuters to or from O’Hare, you can’t beat the easy access to major roadways and public transportation. Even though it’s a bit of a distance from downtown, many locals prefer the seclusion of the neighborhood as compared to some of the areas closer to downtown.
The O’Hare neighborhood does have a lot to offer, but it isn’t for everyone. The major drawbacks of the area would be its distance from the popular Chicago att
Pros
- Quiet
- Easy commutes to suburbs or downtown
Cons
- Far removed from the center of the city
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
O'Hare
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
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"More than the airport"
Obviously, the first thing to mention when discussing the neighborhood of O'hare is the airport, which is of course the largest airport in the city, and one of the bigger airports in the US. The neighborhood is about 14 miles northwest of the loop, so it is a bit far away from the main action of the city, but the airport really helps make the area prosper.
Of course, public transportation in the area is great, and if you're a frequent business or pleasure traveler, having close access to the airport is a huge plus. I do feel it could get a bit noisy though, so be wary of that.
It's also close to a lot of businesses, which have located their headquarters so close to the airport. So for business reasons, there's a lot to come by for.
Residences in the area are, in my experience, pretty nice and the area seems safe. Again, the noise may be a problem, and the traffic can get really congested, so it's worth mentioning, and certainly detracts from the neighborhood's appeal.
Nearby is the Rosemont horizon, or Allstate arena, where a lot of concerts and sporting events are held. Though I don't think it's actually in the neighborhood (it may be) it's still close enough that those living here wouldn't have to travel far to get there.
Of course, public transportation in the area is great, and if you're a frequent business or pleasure traveler, having close access to the airport is a huge plus. I do feel it could get a bit noisy though, so be wary of that.
It's also close to a lot of businesses, which have located their headquarters so close to the airport. So for business reasons, there's a lot to come by for.
Residences in the area are, in my experience, pretty nice and the area seems safe. Again, the noise may be a problem, and the traffic can get really congested, so it's worth mentioning, and certainly detracts from the neighborhood's appeal.
Nearby is the Rosemont horizon, or Allstate arena, where a lot of concerts and sporting events are held. Though I don't think it's actually in the neighborhood (it may be) it's still close enough that those living here wouldn't have to travel far to get there.
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
O'Hare
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
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"A Flourishing Neighborhood"
It may be on the outskirts of Chicago, but because the O’Hare International Airport is here, businesses abound and flourish. It’s the site where many major businesses have set corporate headquarters, and just like in any American city, hotels have sprung up in great numbers close to the airport (and anyone who has ever missed a connecting flight understands why).
If all of this is turning you off from visiting the neighborhood (outside of landing in an airplane and catching the first cab you can get), I don’t blame you one bit. O’Hare is known for its congested runways, and personally I wouldn’t want to live too close to a place constantly filled with the sounds of Boeing jets landing and leaving.
There ARE nearby residential areas, and there is a high concentration of shopping and entertainment outlets in the area – which are something I look for in a neighborhood, but they aren’t the trendy kind – more like the American chain kind. There are a few restaurants of note, like the Italian Da Luciano or the French Chez Colette, but I still say that this neighborhood really owes its popularity to the airport – which is the kind of place one visits merely out of necessity.
If all of this is turning you off from visiting the neighborhood (outside of landing in an airplane and catching the first cab you can get), I don’t blame you one bit. O’Hare is known for its congested runways, and personally I wouldn’t want to live too close to a place constantly filled with the sounds of Boeing jets landing and leaving.
There ARE nearby residential areas, and there is a high concentration of shopping and entertainment outlets in the area – which are something I look for in a neighborhood, but they aren’t the trendy kind – more like the American chain kind. There are a few restaurants of note, like the Italian Da Luciano or the French Chez Colette, but I still say that this neighborhood really owes its popularity to the airport – which is the kind of place one visits merely out of necessity.
