History: A Neighborhood With A Rich Past
With roots dating back to the late 1800s as many Asian immigrants started to travel across the country upon the competition of the First Transcontinental Railroad, Chicago’s Chinatown has been steeped in Chinese culture for many decades and it definitely shows around the neighborhood.
The Chinatown in
Chicago was actually one of the first American Chinatown’s to find economic success upon the construction of the On Leongs Merchants Association Building, which has since been used as a school, a shrine, office space, an immigrant assistance center, and even the city hall.
Today, Chinatown continues to grow with the addition of great features like the Ping Tom Memorial Park located on the banks of the Chicago River.
Vibe: Surrounded By Culture
Home to many Chinese restaurants, gift shops, and grocery stores, the Asian influence is very apparent in Chicago’s Chinatown. It’s completely normal to encounter Asian languages on the streets, specifically Cantonese, as this remains a popular business center for Chinese people in the Midwest today. This area is also noteworthy for its massive tourist appeal. With a great community feel and tons of awesome food, this Chicago neighborhood is one unique area that can’t be missed.
Crime Rate: No Need To Worry Here!
Compared to the rest of Chicago, the Chinatown area is actually pretty safe. With a crime rate of 2,655 reported criminal acts per 100,000 residents, the crime rate for this area is 30 percent lower than the Chicago average of 3,975 reported acts per 100,000 residents. This number is also rapidly on the decline, falling at roughly 23 percent each year according to the community analysis site Area Vibes.
Shopping: An Endless Stream Of Unique Shops
One of the most popular shopping destinations is the Chinatown square, a two-level mall that houses a number of businesses and shops. Another cool area to check out is the Hong Kong Market, a grocery store that specializes in Asian food.
Nearby Hotspots: Museums And More
There are tons of cool attractions around the Chinatown area worth visiting, many of which are built around displaying Asian culture to Midwest America. A couple of the most popular attractions here include the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute, offering services like language classes and historic tours of Chinatown, as well as the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago, which is home to a collection of exhibits highlighting Chinese history in America.
Types of Homes: This Place Has It All
Chinatown is inhabited by larger families on average, so as you might expect, a majority of the owner-occupied homes in this neighborhood have three bedrooms. However, with a wide mix of pretty much any type of housing you’d be looking for, the median value depends on what you’re looking at, with most real estate in Chinatown valued around $250,000 to $300,000, a little less expensive than the Chicago average. Whether you’re trying to find a stand-alone house or looking to purchase a single-room apartment, you’ll be able to find plenty of options here.
Neighborhood Organizations – A Community That Cares
Home to a great sense of community amongst its residents, one of the most active organizations in Chinatown is the neighborhood Chamber of Commerce. Constantly working to bring new business and special events to the local streets, they’re a huge influence when it comes to making sure these streets stay lively.
Whether they’re helping to host educational business workshops or bringing in events like the annual “Miss Friendship Ambassador Pageant,” the positive impact of the local chamber on this community is undeniable.
Nearby Parks – It’s Not All A Concrete Jungle
There are several parks in Chicago’s Chinatown area, but two of the most famous include the Ping Tom Memorial Park and the Sun Yat-Sen Park. The Ping Tom Memorial Park is known for its pagoda-style buildings and its beautiful location directly next to the Chicago River, making this a great place for watersports like kayaking. The Sun Yat-Sen Park is much more quaint, known for attracting groups of mahjong players on sunny days.
Accessibility – Getting Around Is A Breeze
Nestled on the edge of the South Loop area, Chicago’s Chinatown is an extremely walkable neighborhood. With world-class public transportation and roads that are easy to navigate for bikers, this area of the city scores a Walk Score of a high 91 and a Bike Score of 89.
The local public transportation is even better, as nearby access helps it score a 93 on a similar scale, each scale seeking a score of 100, meaning ultimate efficiency. One thing’s for sure, if you’re in Chinatown, you’ll really only need a car for when you’re making long trips or you simply don’t feel like walking.
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