Neil Maude

We moved to Oakland a year and a half ago and have quickly come to love this area.

Pros:
- Beautiful old homes & architecture
- Neighbors (people say hi to each other when they walk on the sidewalk - what a concept, right? - amazing block parties)
- Proximity to the lakefront (a particularly beautiful part of the lakefront may I add. Amazing for bike commuting)
- Proximity to 41st beach (on the hottest day of the summer this beach is 25% at capacity, maybe)
- Proximity to LSD (drive to anywhere in the city can be less than 30 min if you hit the traffic right)
- Promising future (recent additions in past 2 years include Mariano's, Binny's, but much more is needed. Clearly an increase in development in this area. New bridge @ 41st & 35th street)
- Proximity to Hyde Park (HP still has a ways to go, but nightlife there has gotten better in recent years)

Cons:
- Lack of commercial amenities & nightlife (Norman's Bistro is a great spot - especially on Tuesday if you are looking to turn up.)
- Glut of empty lots (Particularly in areas which are zoned commercial such as 39th, Cottage, & 43rd. It is sad to see, but the lots are starting to fill in)
- Public transit is limited to bus and bus 2 train (CTA & Metra stripped this area of its once great access to medium & heavy rail commuting in the 60s, 70s, & 80s)
- Schools (don't have kids, but everyone I know sends there kids to schools outta the hood it seems. I've heard Phillips is getting better tho)
- Theft (Cars and Garages must always be locked & secured, but this is really city life 101)
- Litter (there seems to be an inordinate amount of trash on the ground at any time - this really annoys me, but there also are like no trash cans so...idk)