Quantifying the characteristics of Chicago’s urban neighborhoods

Answering the question: Where do young professionals live in Chicago?

Local Logic builds location intelligence solutions to help home seekers and investors find opportunities that are most suited to their preferences and requirements. We draw upon thousands of data points to develop 18 proprietary Location Scores to provide street- and neighborhood-level insights.

Location Scores measure amenities close by and mobility patterns around a neighborhood, so homebuyers can better understand and assess a location. Using our location insights, you can find properties based on specific characteristics, such as proximity to schools or quiet neighborhoods, and make more informed decisions on where to live.

Benchmarking neighborhood scores against Chicago’s average scores

Below you’ll find the Location Scores for the best Chicago urban neighborhoods for young professionals as well as the city’s average. We looked at the following scores:

• Transit-friendly: Represents the frequency and level of service of public transit
• Parks: Quantity and area of parks nearby
• Groceries: Distance to closest grocery store and quantity of grocery stores nearby
• Restaurants: Quantity and diversity of restaurants nearby
• Cafes: Quantity and diversity of cafés nearby
• Shopping:Quantity and diversity of shops nearby
• Nightlife: Quantity and diversity of bars nearby
• Vibrancy: Quantity and diversity of bars nearby

Then, we ranked each neighborhood by a composite score of all these factors.

Ranking urban Chicago’s best neighborhoods for young professionals

Here’s our data-informed list of urban Chicago’s top neighborhoods for young professionals:

1. Printer’s Row

Printer’s Row is a neighborhood in the South Chicago downtown area, also known as South Loop. It’s full of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Some of the most popular restaurants and bars in the neighborhood include First Draft Chicago, Kasey’s Tavern (the second oldest bar in the city), and Sociale (a tapas spot).

For the farmer’s market lovers, there is the seasonal Printer’s Row City Market that runs from July to August. When it comes to housing, Burnham Pointe is very popular among young professionals. It’s known for being a very pet-friendly environment that has an indoor dog park on the premises.

2. Chicago Loop

The Chicago Loop is the city’s central business district, and the second largest business district in the United States. Chicago’s City Hall and most of Grant Park are two landmarks in this area. Some others include The Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago River and Riverwalk, and it’s also the site for the annual Lollapalooza Music Festival.

The majority of residents in the Chicago Loop neighborhood work in finance, healthcare, and education respectively. The Financial District is home to United Airlines, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and the Chicago Board of Trade.

3. Streeterville

The Streeterville neighborhood is in the Near North Side community in Chicago. It boasts a combo of hotels, restaurants, upscale shopping, offices, high rise living, medical facilities, and cultural centers. Tourists come to visit the Navy Pier, the observatory at the John Hancock Center, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Some of the niche medical facilities include Preston Women’s Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. For young professionals who wish to pursue professional degrees, the area is home to the Kellogg School of Management and the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.

4. New Eastside

New Eastside is a small neighborhood full of luxury high-rise residences. It sits between the Chicago River to the North, and Millennium Park (a.k.a the home of the Bean) to the south. Despite being the middle of recreation and culture, it’s still a more peaceful neighborhood. If you’re a young professional working in the Loop, it’s just a short walk to work. You’ll find that most of your neighbors are also young professionals, families, and empty-nesters respectively.

5. River North

River North is the perfect place for the visual arts enthusiast. The neighborhood is full of old warehouses that have been converted into art galleries. It’s also home to the Richard E. Driehaus Museum, also known as the Marble Palace. If you like to be out on the town, the neighborhood offers one of the hottest nightlife vibes in Chicago; there is something for everyone.

Take in some live jazz at Tortoise Supper Club, grab soul food or Sunday Brunch before the show at House of Blues, or enjoy some Indian food and beach scenes at Bar Goa. If you want a mix between a restaurant and club, TAO is a must-visit. If you’re just looking for a nightcap, you’ll want to check out The Bassment for cocktails.

Finding the right neighborhood in Chicago for your career

If you’re a young professional considering a change of scenery or a big move, we hope that one of our best Chicago neighborhoods for young professionals checks all of your boxes. If you like a city that offers an urban feel with the option to be in nature, Chicago could be perfect for you.

Our Location Scores are available through Local Content on many of our partner sites and their real estate listings in Chicago. When searching for your next home, or a new neighborhood, you can look for specific characteristics on each individual listing to find the perfect place for you.