Overview: Everyone Is Welcome Here
Nestled in the Lake View neighborhood of
Chicago, Boystown has become known around the Windy City for being the cultural center of one of the largest LGBT communities in America. After the city proposed renovating measures during the 1990s, Boystown exploded into one of the coolest, most unique neighborhoods in Chitown. Hosting a wide range of jubilant events throughout the year and with a great location near downtown, this safe and walkable area of Chicago is a great place to call home, regardless of your age.
Crime & Safety: It’s A Safe Place To Call Home
While crime statistics for just the Boystown area are a little difficult to pin down, the neighborhood it’s in, Lake View, is one of the safest places to be in Chicago. Boasting a crime rate of only 1,048 reported acts per 100,000 residents, crime is 73 percent lower here than in the rest of the city. It’s even three times better than the national average of 3,099 reported acts per 100,000 residents, meaning this neighborhood extremely safe. Plus, crime in the local area is dropping at a 23 percent rate, making life in Boystown more attractive by the day.
Nearby Senior Amenities: North Halsted Is Your Best Bet
The Boystown area, specifically North Halsted, is a great place to live as a senior citizen. There are several buildings and complexes in the area, including Town Hall Apartments, specially designed to cater to the needs of the elderly, with an emphasis on keeping prices low for those in their golden years. With close access to food and shopping and less of a need to drive with highly walkable streets, the North Halsted part of Boystown is the first place seniors should look.
Nearby Medical Amenities: A Doctor Is Never Far
There’s no better place in Chicago to be when it comes to getting convenient medical service than the greater Lake view area that Boystown is a part of. Home to several hospitals that are geared towards providing affordable care to the local residents, these facilities make it easy to stay up-to-date with check-ups without having to worry quite so much about the bills. Plus, with close proximity to the Boystown area, these facilities are a short and easy trip, whether it’s an emergency or not.
Types Of Homes: Buying an Apartment Is Your Best Bet
In the middle of one of the most densely populated areas of Chicago, Boystown is made up of mostly multi-unit buildings, including many condos and apartments. Due to its prime location and the high demand for the growing area, things tend to be quite a bit more expensive here than in the rest of Chicago when it comes to real estate. If you’re looking to purchase one of the few detached houses in Boystown, expect to pay around $677,000, more than 2.5 times the Chicago average.
Condos aren’t quite as expensive, but there’s a good chance you’ll still be paying more than the Chicago average. The one way to save money in this area is by going with an apartment in a larger building made up of 5 or more units, a type of housing that makes up 43 percent of the living space in the local area. These spaces are actually a little cheaper than the Chicago average, with an average price of only $201,500. If you’re looking to live on a budget, purchasing an apartment here might be the way to go.
Accessibility: It’s A Big City, But It’s Not That Bad
Thanks to its location a little further away from the central downtown area, the Boystown area isn’t quite as crowded as a lot of places in Chicago. With less all-around traffic, the sidewalks here easy to navigate and with so many different amenities so nearby, it’s never a long trip to where you’re headed. There are also several convenient rail stops that also make it really easy to get around town without having to drive. Plus, many of the newer restaurants in the area have emphasized making their dining accessible to all.
Local Demographics: Not Your Typical Chicago Neighborhood
The demographics that make up the streets of Boystown are quite a bit different than what you’d find throughout the rest of Chitown. For starters, the men outnumber the women here by roughly 25 percent, something unheard of in the Windy City. This area is also very educated, with 37 percent of the locals having earned a bachelor’s degree, compared to Chicago’s typical 20 percent. As you might expect in a place that’s so educated, incomes are also much higher, with the median household income hanging around $70,000, more than $20,000 above the Chicago average.
A large portion of the local population is also made up of transplants, many of whom have come to Boystown seeking a community more gay-friendly atmosphere than what was found where they’re originally from, with roughly 43 percent of the residents being transplants, compared to 17 percent found throughout the rest of the city.
When it comes to the elderly population here, it’s not huge, as the average age found in Boystown is actually a little lower than what you’d find city-wide. However, the elderly community in Boystown is very active, with various senior citizen groups involved in the local area, many of which cater to the LGBT community.
Shopping & Dining: Endless Options That Just Don’t Stop
Home to a wide range of new age restaurants, bars, thrift shops, and specialty clothing stores, Boystown has all the amenities you’ll need. A few of the more unique destinations include Beatnix, a vintage clothing store that specializes in Halloween costumes, Hollywood Mirror, a quirky store with a collection of clothing and accessories that have been popular throughout the decades, and Kozy’s Cyclery, a bike shop that has more two-wheeled options than you’ll be able to count.
The dining in Boystown is also top-notch, as a wide variety of new restaurants have moved to the area during its growth in recent years. It’s also important to mention that there are also a lot of gay bars in the area for those that might be interested.
Nearby Parks: There’s A Beach You Can Walk To
The closest and most spectacular parks in the Boystown area can be found along Lake Shore Drive, providing great views of the water, with a long paved trail perfect for running and biking. There’s also a nearby dog beach at Belmont Harbor, the perfect destination to bring your furry friend. While this area isn’t technically in Boystown, it’s totally within a short walking distance.
The Vibe: Chicago’s Most Colorful Streets
There’s always a lively atmosphere to be found in Boystown, with tons of local restaurants, bars, and celebrations that are always packed with fun people and good moods. Throughout the year, many festivals are held on major streets like Halsted, especially during the summer, meaning there’s always something unique to do. One of the biggest events is the annual Pride Weekend, an event that’s been going on for over 40 years. Complete with a gay pride parade, a festival, and music performances, this is one of the most impressive and largest Pride events in the country, if not the world.
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