When moving to a large city like Chicago, you want to find a place where you feel safe and secure. Maybe you want a walkable neighborhood with good access to public transit, a variety of retailers and restaurants nearby, and quiet streets with friendly neighbors. However, finding such a neighborhood, especially closer to the busy downtown area, isn’t easy. And when you do find just the right place, it might come at a high cost. While finding a great neighborhood that checks all (or most) of your boxes can be done, you might need to compare rent trends for certain neighborhoods, read reviews, and do plenty of research.
When it comes to the Windy City, areas on the north side of Downtown and near the Loop are some of the most walkable and secure. However, there are a variety of great neighborhoods in Chicago just waiting to be discovered. We compared Chicago’s safest neighborhoods, according to Niche.com, with current rent trends and walk scores to find Chicago neighborhoods that deliver both safety and affordability.
Lakeview
Known as the home of the MLB’s Chicago Cubs, Lakeview (also known as Lake View) is one of Chicago’s most popular areas with bustling streets and great attractions. Bordering the north side of Lake Michigan, Lakeview offers not only incredible lake views (hence the neighborhood’s name), but shops, restaurants, and family-friendly locales as well – the most notable being Wrigley Field (Go, Cubs, Go)!
As a renter and resident of Lakeview, you’ll appreciate the wooded, pedestrian-friendly streets that make this neighborhood well-known for its safety and walkability – and it helps that its well-taken-care-of streets are easy on the eyes. You’ll find theaters, grocers, and public transit in this waterfront town, not to mention famous attractions such as Lincoln Park (with the southern portion being in the Lincoln Park neighborhood).
Best of all, Lakeview is affordable, with a one-bedroom apartment renting for about $1,488 (as of June 2023), which is about $1,000 less than Downtown Chicago’s average rent of $2,601.
Logan Square
If you’re looking not only for a safe neighborhood, but a trendy, upbeat one as well, then Logan Square is perfect for you! This neighborhood’s divine arts scene and bike-friendly streets keep an influx of residents pleased with living here. In fact, Logan Square is one of Chicago’s fan-favorite neighborhoods and is known for the grassy Logan Square Park situated in the heart of town – a hot commodity in a major metropolis.
Logan Square and its residents thrive off of living local, beaming with incredible community support for small businesses and local goods and services. If being part of a supportive community that gives you a sense of calm and a feeling of safety is what you want, then Logan Square is a great possibility. With its proximity to Downtown Chicago, large sidewalks, and mass transit options, you’re sure to feel like a winner in Logan Square.
Currently, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Logan Square is $1,452, which is about $1,149 less than the average Downtown Chicago rent.
Lincoln Park
If you live in Chicago or are familiar with the city, then you’ve likely heard of Lincoln Park. With unbeatable destinations like the Chicago History Museum, North Avenue Beach, and the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory, you’re bound to find local entertainment in this thriving neighborhood. If you’re looking for quiet retreat but still hoping for proximity to Downtown Chicago, then Lincoln Park should be at the top of your list. This iconic neighborhood is just one mile north of Downtown while overlooking Lake Michigan.
Anticipate enjoying community events and festivals while admiring beautiful, historic architecture and exploring an enticing variety of trendy restaurants and bars in Lincoln Park. The tree-lined streets of this neighborhood will make you feel right at home, and the student population that lives in the area and attends the prestigious DePaul University gives this neighborhood a safe, welcoming feel. Though this area may be a little more pricey than others, it’s still below the Chicago average, costing around $2,230 for a one-bedroom apartment.
River North
River North is one of Chicago’s trendiest neighborhoods. With restaurants galore and a plethora of public transit, your taste buds will be pleasantly surprised and your commute times will be swift. But even if public transit isn’t your thing, River North is appreciated for its safe, walkable streets. With its wide sidewalks, incredible variety of businesses, and blend of apartment buildings and high-rise architecture, River North offers a truly diverse environment for its residents.
You’ll discover beautiful views of the Chicago River that are accompanied by alluring art galleries and highly sought-after entertainment venues such as the House of Blues Chicago! Rents in River North average $1,833 for a one-bedroom apartment, making this popular location a great choice.
West Loop
Directly southwest from River North (on the other side of the Chicago River), you’ll find the West Loop. Known for its modern high-rise apartments and spectacular views of the Chicago River and the city’s towering skyline, the West Loop is one of the city’s top neighborhoods. You’ll appreciate the quick walking distance to thriving areas like Downtown and Little Italy, along with proximity to major attractions like Grant Park.
The public transit is great in the West Loop, and the pedestrian- and bike-friendly streets are even better! At $2,574, the average rent in West Loop is a bit higher than the other neighborhoods on this list, it’s still slightly less than the average rent for downtown.
This article was originally published on May 15, 2019 and was updated on June 20, 2023.
Published May 15, 2019
