hyde park - kenwood

hyde park is one of chicago's oldest and most illustrious neighborhoods.  the university of chicago is the most prominent resident, followed by america's 44th president.

hyde park locals enjoy the many advantages that come with living around one of the nation's most prestigious universities, such as the libraries, the public lectures, the concerts, and the greenery, including the famed "midway plaisance," which served as a staging ground for exotic entertainment during the world's fair in 1893.  there's also a variety of cafés, bars, bookstores, student hangouts, and ethnic eateries in or around the neighborhood.

residents are never far from the lakefront path, the wide expanse of jackson park (with its public golf course, tennis courts, and japanese sanctuary), and The Museum of Science and Industry.

Housing options are plentiful for students, professors, young professionals, and families.  Many of the vintage high-rise apartment buildings closer to the lake offer larger units at affordable prices and come with outstanding views of the water.  The residential streets are lined with stately single-family homes, three-flats, and low-rise condominium and apartment buildings.  Many of the older homes have been converted into apartments for the student population, which swells every September, and the streets are charming, shady and secluded.

the green line of the el runs along the west side of washington park, which is something of a hike for hyde park residents, so commuting to the loop is not necessarily easy.  if you are affiliated with the university though, there's a network of CTA buses that circle around the campus, and, of course, a few of them will take you all the way north to the central business district.