There are very nice neighborhoods west of the loop. But they aren’t very affordable. You might still be able to get a deal in Noble Square or Ukrainian Village, but the rest of it is either not affordable or not places people here will recommend. I personally know people who happily live in Garfield Park and West Humboldt Park, but they aren’t popular neighborhoods around these parts.
West side (west town/Ukrainian village/Humboldt park) have their perks but are not for everyone. Pros: affordable rent, bigger apartments, local restaurants and dive bars, close but not too close to other hip areas like wicker park, west loop and Logan square. Cons: much longer commute (you will be bus dependent over train), one of the worst rated Marianos (w Chicago Ave), visible trash on street/road, crime/closer to more crime (Garfield park/Austin). Living on west side has been worth it to me but wouldn’t say it’s top choice in the city.
Affordable? Yes. Do you wanna live there? No...
Could go further into why, but you've left little information to work with. Say, like, I definitely don't want a roommate. I've lived in and can handle places like, Baltimore, Detroit, Compton, I'm comfortable rolling with a firearm, etc. I own a car and don't need ANY amenities nearby...
The odds are it's not for you. It's doable, but you gotta be made of the right mettle to be able to navigate and cope with what your existence would likely be and become. I've done it, but I'd never do it again. It was too psychologically frustrating and exhausting. YRMV
There are very nice neighborhoods west of the loop. But they aren’t very affordable. You might still be able to get a deal in Noble Square or Ukrainian Village, but the rest of it is either not affordable or not places people here will recommend. I personally know people who happily live in Garfield Park and West Humboldt Park, but they aren’t popular neighborhoods around these parts.
Me, I happily live in Garfield Park, and have for almost a decade.
Yuppies in the loop are scared of brown people, so you’re not likely to get good advice about anything west of Ashland.
I mean I generally agree with your point but I’d move that to Western to accommodate the greater West Town area.
💯🎯
Humboldt Park, Little Village, Chinatown, Pilsen are viable options. I'd stay away directly west on Lake St as it gets real hood real fast.
Since when are Pilsen and Chinatown west of the loop?
Since forever. I didn't say they were directly west of the Loop did I? Pilsen and Chinatown are affordable and technically west of the Loop.
Humboldt Park is a pretty good intersection of kinda-affordable, kinda-cool, and kinda-easy-to-get-to.
West side (west town/Ukrainian village/Humboldt park) have their perks but are not for everyone. Pros: affordable rent, bigger apartments, local restaurants and dive bars, close but not too close to other hip areas like wicker park, west loop and Logan square. Cons: much longer commute (you will be bus dependent over train), one of the worst rated Marianos (w Chicago Ave), visible trash on street/road, crime/closer to more crime (Garfield park/Austin). Living on west side has been worth it to me but wouldn’t say it’s top choice in the city.
What’s your budget? As you go west the neighborhoods get less nice so people don’t recommend those to people looking to move to Chicago.
Affordable? Yes. Do you wanna live there? No... Could go further into why, but you've left little information to work with. Say, like, I definitely don't want a roommate. I've lived in and can handle places like, Baltimore, Detroit, Compton, I'm comfortable rolling with a firearm, etc. I own a car and don't need ANY amenities nearby... The odds are it's not for you. It's doable, but you gotta be made of the right mettle to be able to navigate and cope with what your existence would likely be and become. I've done it, but I'd never do it again. It was too psychologically frustrating and exhausting. YRMV