Like any metro area,
Chicago is a patchwork of neighborhoods with incredibly diverse personalities and styles. If tall buildings, city traffic, and hustle and bustle fit your style, the Loop Chicago neighborhood might be perfect for you. Bordered by the El lines on all sides and hemmed in by the Chicago River to the west and Lake Michigan to the East, the Loop encompasses much of the business district of downtown Chicago. Residents are limited to high rise apartments or condos, but the ease of public transportation and proximity to everything downtown Chi-town has to offer is a big draw for many Loop residents.
Reputation
Locals know the Loop as the heart of Chicago. Because it's one of the city's main commercial districts, the Loop is busy, crowded, and loud during the weekdays but quieter during evenings and weekends than many downtown Chicago neighborhoods. Because of that, it's a great place to live in relative peace and quiet while staying within easy walking distance of State Street's restaurants and attractions.
Hot Spots
Thanks to its prime location, the Loop is full of places to see and things to do, whether you're an art junkie, a foodie, or just looking for a quiet park to get away from it all. Millennium Park is one of Chicago's top attractions, featuring outdoor pavilions for shows, ice skating during the winter, whimsical, modern architecture, and ample green space to explore. The Chicago Theatre is quintessential Chicago with regular shows that appeal to a wide variety of musical and theatrical preferences. You'll also find some of the best deep-dish pizza and a huge variety of other restaurants within the Loop's confines.
Safety
As with all metro areas, crime rates average much higher in downtown Chicago than elsewhere in the state. Twelve violent crimes and 163 property crimes are reported per 1,000 residents annually, compared to 9 violent crimes per 1,000 residents in Chicago as a whole and just 3.8 per 1,000 residents in the state of Illinois. Despite those numbers, the Loops reputation is that it's a typically safe place to live, assuming that you take reasonable precautions with the realization that you're living in a downtown metro area.
Convenience
Because it's at the heart of Chicago, the Loop offers easy transportation via bus, El, or cab to pretty much anywhere you could want to go. The area is also very walkable, with a huge variety of stores and dining easily accessible as long as you catch them open (this is not the area for the very late-night crowd). Some Loop residents do own a car, but traffic and parking costs can be prohibitive, and it's not difficult to get by without one.
Types of Homes
If you're looking for a cozy single-family home, take your search elsewhere. The Loop offers
high-rise condominiums and rentals, and that's about it. Studios and
small condos make up the majority of housing options and space is at a premium even in
upscale condos, making a scaled-down lifestyle all but essential to live comfortably in this area.
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