South Chicago

South Chicago is part of the very large Southeast Side neighborhood at the far south end of Chicago, right next to Indiana. The area has always been very industrial, and it was home to steel factories and refineries. Most of the people living in the neighborhood were workers at these places. When these industries collapsed, so did South Chicago. The area started to get a crime problem, but in recent years there has been some serious efforts to clean it up and attract new businesses.

The population is working-class and pretty racially and ethnically diverse. Everybody is friendly, and there are neighborhood restaurants and bars to hang out in – but nothing fancy. There are a lot of churches in the area and some of the scenes from the Blues Brothers were filmed in the neighborhood.

South Chicago is also right on the lake and close to some very large parks. There’s also a state wildlife & recreation area with a smaller lake for fishing.

It’s a family, community-oriented kind of neighborhood that hopefully has good things in store.

When I attended The University of Chicago in Hyde Park, South Chicago was one of those neighborhoods that was a bit depressing to drive through. It is a predominantly working class neighborhood without a lot of glitz or glamour. However, on the bright side, South Chicago is situated on the Lake.

This area is mostly black, but there are people of other ethnicities who live there as well. You will see Mexicans and Polish people in sizable numbers. There are a lot of little restaurants and stores owned by the locals. You can find many of these on Commercial Avenue. Also there are some interesting and very authentic blues clubs. If you go to hear blues downtown or on the North Side, you won't always get this kind of authenticity.

There is some interesting development going on in this neighborhood. For example, there are plans for a new airport and also to use sustainable principles to rebuild areas of this part of Chicago. Even though this doesn't appear initially to be the most uplifting area, the truth is that there are some interesting things going on behind the scenes!

Encompassed by the Southeast side, South Chicago has working-class roots and loads of potential. Filled with affordable housing that might need a little work, this neighborhood is nestled along the southern tip of Lake Michigan. Although not necessarily the most popular of neighborhoods, giving it a try might change your opinion on this underappreciated area.

The bulk of the South Chicago population is made up of African Americans, but recent years have seen an influx of other ethnicities. The rich ethnic vibe of the area is one of its best attributes and lends itself to some of the city’s most popular eateries. South Chicago is known as being a leader in the green energy movement, with several eco-friendly communities. The rapid growth in the area makes it a popular option for growing families in search of an affordable neighborhood with potential.

Although many people have a pre-judgment of any part of Chicago with South in the name, it’s unfair to assume South Chicago isn

South Chicago is a decent area of Chicago, with a lot of affordable homes that could be nice if some (at times extensive) repairs were done. I used to visit the area often with an ex-girlfriend, who loved the Mexican restaurant Pepe's. The food was really good, and, according to her (she was Hispanic, so she'd know), the food was fairly authentic. You could get some really good spicy food there. Outside of Pepe's, I didn't find much as far as dining is concerned. There was a fair number of Mexican restaurants, but nothing really upscale, and outside of the occasional craving for Mexican, I would visit for the food.
Retail was similarly sparse. A few chain stores, like Payless, but nothing that would separate South Chicago from other neighborhoods.
There is a nice Farmer's Market, which I do like to visit from time to time, although I usually frequent one closer to where I live.
Bessamer Park is nice, and if you lived in the area, would provide a great location for fun and exercise. There's a pool, and you can take lessons. I don't live nearby, so I've never taken a lesson there, but I suspect it would be pretty decent.
I've already mentioned that the homes are in need of repair, but they are affordable, and if you're so inclined, you could fix a place up and have a decent home for a good price.
All in all, not much for a tourist, but if you have a more limited budget, South Chicago could work out for you.