Chicago, like many large metropolitan areas, is a city of neighborhoods. Old Town. Lincoln Park. Uptown. Boys Town. The Loop. Lakeview. Wrigleyville.The area around Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs for more than 95 years, is called, yup, you guessed it, Wrigleyville. A combination of charming row houses, coffee shops, Lululemons & sports bars, this vibrant area comes alive on game day – just ask any resident who is trying to drive, let alone find a parking spot. Wrigleyville is full of young professionals, drawn to the area by a love of (relatively) cheap rent, easy access to the L, & the lure of being just around the corner when the Cubs finally break the curse.
On a recent trip to Chicago, my husband & I vowed to really get to know the soul of the Second City through its neighborhoods. We fell in love with Wrigleyville early one Saturday morning on Cubs opening weekend. The fans & residents smiles were genuine, their spirit contagious, & the “Chicago-nice” that we have come to know & love abounding. Wrigleyville blends so seamlessly into its neighboring ‘hoods – Lakeview & Southport – that while we wandered, we really weren’t sure what neighborhood we were officially in.
Smitten with the tree lined streets, historic architecture (the famous “Wrigley Roof Top“), numerous neighborhood cafes, & friendly folks out walking their dogs (including one young woman who we chatted with for a good 15 minutes), I declared: “Should I ever move to Chicago, I will call Wrigleyville home.”
No doubt I am not the first one to make such a statement.
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