Overview: A Neighborhood With Plenty Of Pride
Nestled in the greater Lake View area of
Chicago and known for being home to one of the most vibrant LGBT-friendly districts in the world, Boystown is very noteworthy for its strong sense of local community.
While a lot of the population here is made up of young and single adults, this area is also very appealing to families as well, thanks to its safe and highly walkable streets. One part of Chicago that always seems to be in a good mood, if you’re part of a new family moving to the area, Boystown is definitely worth checking out.
Crime Rate: You’ll Be A-OK In Boystown
While Chicago has recently been getting a reputation for being one of America’s most violent big cities, you’ll quickly discover that this varies greatly by neighborhood. For example, while the average crime rate in Chicago hangs around 4,000 reported criminal acts per 100,00 residents, Boystown is much safer, with a crime rate of roughly 1,048 criminal acts per 100,000 people that call this area home.
Not only is that less than the Chicago average, it’s even 3 times better than the national average. As an added bonus, the crime rate in this neighborhood has been dropping at a rapid rate of 23 percent. If you’re looking for a place that you can feel comfortable walking around with the kids after dark, Boystown has what you’re looking for, though you may want to avoid the many bars and clubs on the main strip.
Schools: Boystown Has Plenty To Brag About
Served by Chicago’s public school system, the closest school to Boystown is Nettelhorst Elementary School, only a couple blocks away from this neighborhood’s central area. This school is known around town for hosting several annual events that target families in the area for a day of fun, including an egg hunt on Easter and a kid-friendly event on Halloween. It’s also important to mention that as a whole the greater Lake View area is highly educated, with a very impressive graduation rate of 96 percent.
Vibe: These Streets Are Always Full Of Color
Throughout the summer months, the major streets in this area can constantly seem like they’re in festival mode, with events like Chicago’s annual Pride Fest taking place for weeks at a time. You’ll quickly discover that the atmosphere here is simply just a little more fun than what you’ll find in most urban places around the country.
Types of Homes: You Can’t Go Wrong With A Condo Here
Due to its close proximity to the downtown area of Chicago, Boystown is very densely populated and the housing reflects that. Finding a standalone property might be a little difficult and it will definitely be expensive, as freestanding homes in the area tend to average nearly $700,000.
However, purchasing an apartment or condo is much more affordable, typically priced around $200,000 and relatively easy to find. It’s also important to mention that this area is on the up and up, meaning purchasing real estate here might turn out to be a very lucrative investment if you do it wisely.
Affordability: Aside From Housing, This Place Won’t Blow Your Bank
One major downside to living in Boystown is the bump in cost of living you should expect to see. The Lake View area that Boystown is part of is one of the more expensive places to live in the city, with a cost of living score of 136 on the same scale the puts average America at 100 and Chicago at a score of 113.
However, upon delving deeper into the reason behind this inflated number, it’s easy to see that this is solely due to the expensive housing market. Things like groceries, transportation, utilities, and health care still place right around the Chicago average in Boystown, meaning that while your mortgage payments might be a little pricier here, other aspects of your life will cost closer to what you’re used to paying.
Family-Friendliness: Parents Love Boystown
While the percentage of married couples is a little lower here than the Chicago average, roughly 50 percent of all married couples in the area have children. Compared to the Chicago-wide average of 22 percent, it’s easy to see how prominent this demographic is. In fact, roughly 9 percent of all residents here are still in primary school. While there are tons of young adults in Boystown, there are still a good number of families, meaning plenty of opportunities for playdates and a good chance that local family-friendly events will continue to take place for years to come.
Parks: There’s No Airfare Involved In A Trip To This Beach
While the smaller enclave of Boystown isn’t really home to any notable parks, it is within walking distance from some of Chicago’s most popular greenspace. Stretching along Lake Shore Drive, it’s easy for residents here to take advantage of the shoreline trail system and the many parks and playgrounds spread along it on a regular basis.
Plus, Boystown is very close to one of Chicago’s most popular dog-friendly beaches, Belmont Harbor. There’s no doubt about it, a short walk to the lake is sure to be something the whole family will enjoy.
Walkability: Leave The Car Keys At Home
One of the huge perks of calling Boystown home is how easy it is to get around this neighborhood without a car. The greater Lake View neighborhood that Boystown is a part of earns a Walk Score of a very high 90 on a scale that considers 100 to be perfect.
The Bike Score is also great here, scoring an 81 on a similarly weighted scale. Not only does this mean it’s convenient to travel within the neighborhood, the high level of walkability also encourages the locals to get outside and be active as they’re going about their daily tasks, something that has been shown to lead to safer streets and a more involved community.
Accessibility: Getting Anywhere In Chicago From Here Is A Cinch
Thanks to Chicago’s great public transportation system, getting from Boystown to any other part of Chicago is super easy. There are a couple options when it comes to Chicago’s CTA trains, with two nearby stops at both Belmont and Adison giving direct access to multiple lines including the brown line, the purple line, and the red line, all making the commute downtown very quick and efficient. This opens the door to enjoying the amenities that this entire city has to offer without even reminding your kids to buckle their seatbelts.
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