Wicker Park

Wicker Park is Chicago's command center for the hipster/art-kid/emo/skate scene. In the 1990's, the neighborhood was a beacon of indie culture. Smashing Pumpkins' guitarist James Iha lived here, as did Liz Phair. But a wave of gentrification swept through Wicker Park in the 90's, stirring up class tensions, but urban renewal emerged as the winner, displacing many of the artists and lower-income residents. As a result, this once gritty, fringe barrio is far more mainstream today, although Forbes recently ranked it as the fourth best hipster neighborhood in the country.

Wicker Park's urban edge is still sharp. You won't find another Chicago community with a higher concentration of progressive fashion and music. Neo-Bohemians will meet their every need on Division Street or Milwaukee Avenue, with their independent boutiques and unconventional chain retailers. Plus, there's only a billion restaurants to choose from, ranging from authentic tacquerias to Vietnamese to vegetarian to sushi to pizza and all points in between.

Wicker Park apartments can be found in subdivided 19th-century mansions, new construction condominiums loaded with upscale amenities, and courtyard apartment buildings.

The blue el line stops at the six-corner intersections of Milwaukee, Division, and Ashland and Milwaukee, Damen, and North. It's a short ride to downtown and a straight shot to O'Hare. The expressway is also nearby.