South Loomis St, University Village

Loomis Street is in the heart of the Near West Side, betwen the East and West Campuses of UIC. It is a tree-lined street, with victoria two-flats, three-flats, many of which have been remodeled and converted into single family residences. Small attractive gardens and hanging flower pots give the area a European flavor. Loomis is a relatively quiet street with a stop sign in the middle, and is one of the cleanest in the city, thanks to the University Village Association who picks up the trash off the streets. Residents span students of all nationalities, to urban young professionals, to families with children, to the older Italian residents who's families have been here for generations. Inspite of this broad diversity, everyone manages to get along together peacefully.

Starting at Harrison Street, you'll see that there is the Blue Line El' Station just north of you which takes you downtown to State Street in 10 minutes. The Eisenhower Expressway is just a block away and feeds into the Dan Ryan and the Kennedy Expressway, making traversing the city a breeze. The strange thing is that you can not hear the noise of the el' or the traffic south of Harrison! There is also bus service from the corner of Harrison and Loomis. At this corner, you will notice the Andrew Jackson Language Academy, a Chicago Public School Magnet School which recently scored in the top 8 in the city and the top 20 in the state. Close by is another Magnet School, Galileo Scholastic Academy. Moving south, there is the beautiful Arrigo Park, a city park which has a wide array of trees and is beautifully peaceful. People picnic there, walk their dogs, and take their children to play. Nearby is the Garibaldi Playlot (Polk Street, a block and a half West) where there are swings and slides for the kids to play on. Near the Arrigo Park is the gorgeous shrine of the Lady of Pompeii, and the Notre Dame de Chicago Church.

A block further south is Taylor Street, with its Italian restaurants and groceries, its Irish Pub and a multitude of Asian (Thai and Sushi), Mexican, Middle Eastern, French Bistro and American Bars and Restaurants. One thing is for sure - the food is excellent and well priced for lunch and dinner. If you are looking for coffee, stop by the Starbucks (with the students) or the Conte Di Savoia, with the older Italian Families. One of my family's favorites is the Pompeii Bakery near Ashland, which is reasonably priced good food. If you are looking for a little wine and ambience, then the wine bar is at Taylor and Loomis, and Francesca's on Taylor is on the other side. In the summer, Marios provides a cooling Italian Ice. Other amenities including Banks, Cleaners, Hardware Store, UPS Postal Store, Card Store and Flower Store are either on Loomis Street or within a couple of blocks. West of Loomis, 2 blocks away, is the entire Medical Campus, comprising Rush University Medical Center, and University of Illinois Medical Center.

Nearby there are lots of activities with the Chicago Park District Parks, between Sheridan Park (at Arthington/Carpenter Streets) for Swimming, Baseball, Floor Hockey and many other kid and family friendly activities, Whitney Young (for Swiming and gymnastics), and the new Fosco Park with a gorgeous swimming pool. The University of Illinois also puts on various kids activities including swimming lessons and hosts a soccer league, SAY of Chicago, in the area. There is also the Chicago Public Library, Roosevelt Branch (on Taylor Street!) which has some good childrens programs.

This is truly a great street to live on - it's quiet, friendly and neighborly, yet its in the heart of the city and close by to sophisticated culture and nightlife. You can be downtown shopping, eating a gourmet meal or sitting on the beach in 10 minutes. The residents can always find a parking space, thanks to the Residential Parking Permits.