Pictured
A few weeks ago, I blogged about the idea of a neighborhood and what it means to me. Overlapping that same time, Mandy and I were discussing our different neighborhoods. We’ve been following one another’s blogs for a couple years now and have become bloggy friends. And yet? The worlds in which we live are so drastically different.
It’s easy for us to describe where we live. I live in a big city, she lives in a more rural locale. I lock my doors, including the deadbolt, at night. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have to. Etc. But, do you really know what that means? I’ve always been a very visual person, so I figured a photo essay would help. And guess what? Mandy signed up for one, too!
Neighborhood. The first photo is a profile shot of our building. I took it from this angle, so you could see how residential our street is. Lots of tall, mature trees and buildings similar to ours.
Green Space / Outdoor Space. About a block from our house sits a huge, 40-acre park situated between a high school and an elementary school. The park boasts a soccer field, 5 softball/baseball fields, a football stadium, 2 tennis courts, a playground and areas devoted to prairie land (where they let native plants grow the way they would have before we settled and developed the land). Not photoed here? The Chicago lakefront, which is only a couple miles from our front door!
Transportation. Living in the city, we have ample ways to get from point A to B. The photo below depicts a few options (driving and taking the train). But, there are others. Not seen in that photo? Pedestrians – it’s often easy to walk places. Bicyclists – many of our main roads have designated bike lanes to make commuting easier. Buses – where Chicago lacks in a subway system, they try to make up for in their bus system. Taxis – for those without cars or those not capable of driving (had a few too many?), there are cabs almost everywhere you turn. The beauty of living in the city is there is always an option.
Shopping. One of the things that defines Chicago neighborhoods is the shopping centers. And by shopping center, I don’t mean mall or strip mall. It’s often a street or a junction of streets where boutique shops, sometimes big-name stores, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues all converge. My neighborhood has all of the above, though it’s definitely a slightly more mature neighborhood than some of the others in this fine city. And by mature, I mean, you see more families than college students, more groups going out to dinner than stumbling out of bars and more trees than pavement. And all of it is ok, because one of the reasons I love this city is all the options it provides to those of us who call it home.
And there you have a short tour of my neighborhood. It’s nothing fancy or ritzy or anything most tourists consider a destination. But, it’s what I consider some of the best city living around. Tell me, were there any surprises about my neighborhood? Things you weren’t expecting to see?
And don’t forget to go visit Mandy’s post about her neighborhood once you leave me some comment love. =)
July 7th, 2010 at 5:47 am
Your hood looks pretty sweet. I do things like this for my family sometimes…so they can get a better feel for what my life is like. Of course, I always say it’s not the same without the smells! NYC stinks. Especially in the summer.
July 7th, 2010 at 7:47 am
It looks so small townish! A 40 acre park? tree lined streets? I never would have guessed. Maybe I should give Chicago more of a chance, it looks like a neighborhood I would really enjoy. And you’re absolutely right, sometimes there are days I go without locking the doors.
July 7th, 2010 at 7:55 am
That is one thing that I adore about Chicago, the small niches in a big town. I love the fact that there is the beach two blocks away an neighborhoods with neighbors.
July 7th, 2010 at 8:24 am
So pretty! It’s so great to be close to most things and have access to your choice of public transportation. At the same time (after looking at Mandy’s neighborhood) I couldn’t get over how lovely it is where Mandy lives. Looks so serene and gorgeous! So I guess it pretty much comes down to each individual’s preference when choosing a place. But you both definitely live in really great places it seems.
July 7th, 2010 at 8:31 am
I think one of my favorite parts about your area of town is that it’s dog friendly! I just love how they have water bowls outside and allow dogs in the store. Coolest thing ever.
I can’t wait until I can come visit again which I’m hoping (assuming) will be this fall!!!
July 7th, 2010 at 8:45 am
I just love how walkable Chicago is. That’s one of my favorite things about this city!
July 7th, 2010 at 8:58 am
We’re wide open spaces around here. And there’s no public transportation. Well -- the buses run from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. (not very late) and hardly anyone takes them. We drive. And think nothing of driving three hours on a school night to watch the kids play their rival team across the state.
July 7th, 2010 at 9:26 am
I loved your neighborhood when I visited. It’s so picturesque! But I fell in love with Chicago as a whole too- what an awesome city you live in.
July 7th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Oh goodness, this looks absolutely lovely! What a wonderful place to live!
xox
July 7th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Thanks for sharing photos. Looks like a great neighborhood! Sounds like an area I would want to call home. I love the older, more established neighborhoods with mature trees.
And I really love the string of shops v. a strip mall/shopping center.
It sort of reminds me of the Oak Park area. I toured the FLW studio last fall when I was visiting my brother and just loved that neighborhood. My brother lives SO far out of Chicago, it’s not even a suburb, so it was fun to check out one of the neighborhoods and get a feel for what it would be like to live there.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Your neighborhood is beautiful! Thanks for the pics!
July 7th, 2010 at 10:36 am
I can’t WAIT to visit your beautiful city!
July 7th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I love this! I might steal this idea :)
July 7th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
How cool! I love seeing where people live. You neighborhood looks lovely.
July 7th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Looks absolutely wonderful! I’ve always enjoyed hearing about your neighborhood, and now I have images to go along with your stories! It looks like the perfect blend of vibrant and quiet, city and suburb, exciting and relaxing…and a great place to have a baby :-) Thanks so much for sharing!
July 7th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Aw! My old stomping grounds! I loved that neighborhood, but I also like exploring the new one. This is a good city for exploring, no doubt.
July 7th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I really love this post -- I might poach your idea (if I ever manage to get my shit together)
July 7th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
This is such a cool post. I love how it’s an urban space but still has lots of green elements.
July 7th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I really enjoyed this, particularly when juxtaposed with Mandy’s photo essay. It’s city and country and both are lovely.
July 7th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
i love this! if i ever manage to be home during daylight in the next week, maybe i’ll do one of these too..
July 7th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
What an excellent idea for a post. I remember growing up in England, in our village no one really needed to lock their doors at night. Fast forward to today and it’s a very different story both here and back in England. Shame really.
July 7th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Your neighbourhood looks like a WONDERFUL place to live! I love how green it is!!
July 8th, 2010 at 7:30 am
This is such a cool peek into your life! I want to do this, but I’m a little paranoid of taking neighbourhood photos lol I’ll have to find a way :)
July 8th, 2010 at 8:24 am
I love your neighborhood! I checked out Mandy’s as well, but I think I’ll always be a city gal at heart. There are definitely pros and cons to both!
July 8th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Love it! So many trees! I guess I didn’t think it would be as green as it is. And that sky is dreamy blue. Not like our sky here has been lately…very gloomy and foggy.
I may have to do the same sort of post before I move. My little town looks like it should be in the middle of Pennsylvania or something.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
LOOOVE it — very Chicago and so beautiful with the green and blue sky contrast! xoxo!
July 9th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
beautiful shots for a beautiful neighborhood!
i love this idea!
July 12th, 2010 at 10:22 am
I love that you two did this. I’m even more convinced that Chicago would rock my socks, especially when the weather is warm-ish. :)
July 15th, 2010 at 8:47 am
I love our neighborhood :) So glad we get to share it!
July 19th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I loved reading both yours and Mandy’s posts with neighborhood snapshots. It’s so fun to get a better visual on where my favorite bloggers do their thang. :-P
July 21st, 2010 at 9:37 am
I’m very visual too, so to have photos always makes it easier for me to have a more precise image of what people are talking/writing about. Your neighborhood has a very nice feel to it, it seems like a very easy going, pleasant place to live. I’m so glad you guys found your nitch, hopefully I’ll find mine soon too.