Chicago Gold Coast VS Rogers Park-Accomodations
 

Will be vacationing this July in Chicago & need advice on which area to stay in-my husband & I will be visiting The Taste,downtown shopping & of course a Cubs game-have an opportunity to rent an apt in the Gold Coast area(on Astor) or stay in Rogers Park accross from Loyola University-any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

We visited Chicago for last year's 4th of July weekend. Gold Coast is a beautiful neighborhood. It is relatively close to the Magnificent Mile which is probably where you are going to do most of your shopping. It is also a very enjoyable 30 minute lakefront walk or a short cab ride from Grant Park where the Taste of Chicago takes place. Taste brings enormous crowds and Gold Coast was certaimly a lot less crowded and crazy than downtown was. I don't know much about Rogers Park though.

I'd rather stay downtown on Astor. It is a very chic tree line residential street in the most desirable neighborhood in the city. It has many beautiful brownstones, mansions and nice apartment buildings. It is second only to Manhattan's Upper East Side as far a concentrated wealth in a city neighborhood. Astor street is not only close to the city's best shopping, dining and entertainment but also is historically significant in Chicago. It's got at least 30 mansions that are on the National Historic Register. On Astor you are in walking proximity to Water Tower Place and the botiques of Oak Street and can walk to the trendy Oak Steet Beach (in the summer). Rogers Park is ok. You will most likely get a larger apartment and parking will be easier but there is not alot to do in that area. Only a few restaurants and cultural events on campus. However, transportation is very easy by train or bus to downtown - about 9 miles to the south. If your building is a highrise on Loyola's campus you will get not only a larger apartment but a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the nice campus of Loyola. <BR>Hope this helps.

As a former native, I would advise taking the Astor St. location -- you will be close to everything. Rogers Park is far north of the action, and no place to go strolling after dark. Astor St. is quiet, yet within walking distance of everything. Wrigley Field can be reached quickly by subway-and-El, only a few minutes away. Astor St. is only one block off Lake Shore Drive, and its north end exits onto Lincoln Park. It's easy to get a cab there at almost any hour. Yes, it may cost you more for an Astor St. rental, but it's worth the extra money.

Just in case you haven't already made up your mind: ASTORASTORASTOR!!!!!!!!!! <BR> <BR>DO NOT consider doing anything else, most esp....staying up in Rogers Park. You will not be near anything in Rogers Park and the difference in "ambience" is in immeasurable light-years. On Astor, as noted, you will be in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast... a walk from almost everything except the Cubs game (but a walk to the bus that can take you there). It's lovely. It's rich. And it's C-I-T-Y. So do pay attention to your surroundings at night -- and you'll have a wonderful time!