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How Edgewater Chicago can change your mind about Chicago being a friendly city

August 24, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

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Weekend Trip Chicago Style
Not For Tourists Illustrated Guide to Chicago (Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago)Not For Tourists Illustrated Guide to Chicago (Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago)

Chicago has the reputation of being a dangerous town, a corrupt city, and a dirty city. Even though it is the third largest city in the United States you don’t hear people talking about taking a trip to Chicago like New York City or Los Angeles. But visiting Edgewater can change your mind about Chicago.

Chicago is ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, and even the most depressing city in America.Where Edgewater Chicago can change your perception about visiting Chicago

But after visiting this summer I do believe the people of the Windy City really want to change this reputation.

I know my impression of has changed, and I want to go back. Most of what I hear about Chicago is depressing, the crime, the corrupt politics, the unemployment, yet I knew there had to be more.

Downtown is very much like any city, tall buildings, lots of shopping, restaurants, museums, and like New York, Chicago has a very efficient metro train system.

For $15 we bought an unlimited three-day metro pass which included the train, bus, and subway system.

Where Edgewater and Chicago Meet

Where Edgewater Chicago meet and how they are different
View outside the Chicago apartment

After researching online for the best places to live in the Chicago metro area my son picked an apartment in Edgewater. I helped him move in January. He researched on Reddit and searched the various websites which have neighborhood statistics on crime. He learned Edgewater Chicago Crime is one of the lowest crime rates in Chicago. After spending time there I certainly believe it.

The neighborhood is clean, and the residents take pride in the area where they live. The flower beds were blooming with color, restaurants have inviting outdoor seating with flower boxes and umbrellas.

There is a relaxed atmosphere, almost park like and yes, my son says he feels as though he’s living in a twilight zone when he steps out of his apartment. Considering he lived in a Marine Corps barracks in Yuma Arizona the previous three years seeing green and trees is probably a shock to his system.

Edgewater Chicago neighborhood
Midnight after getting off the Chicago CTA train

At night there is a police presence on the corners and they regularly patrol. We parked our car at the hotel and either walked or took the CTA trains everywhere.

Not once did I feel as though I was in danger, or threatened. Remember this is NOT the south side of Chicago, which from what I hear is a whole other world.

Chicago is Friendly

People were exceedingly friendly. We met a young black lady on the train who was taking her three young nieces and nephews to the fountains Saturday night to watch the fireworks.

She spoke with pride about her city and how “…so many people talk bad about Chicago, there is a lot the city offers, people just need to get out and experience it, there are a lot of family activities and events.” This is true, I had no idea Chicago had such wonderful beaches.

Our hotel and my son’s apartment was only blocks away from Lake Shore Drive and the softest, sandy beaches I’ve seen in the Midwest. It’s not the ocean, but Lake Michigan does have its own tide, and small waves.

Dog beach on Lake Michigan, Chicago
Dog beach on Lake Michigan, Chicago

It’s the perfect place to people watch and the dog beach is very fun. Dogs of all shapes and sizes playing in the water, playing fetch and enjoying the summer day.

The Chicago Park system is quite extensive and encourages people to get out and enjoy the trails with rental bikes, trikes (if you look closely in the photo below you can see the trike to the left of the bench) or bring your own roller blades.

I met the friendliest pit bull during our morning walk, his eyes just yelled: “Oh pet me, please pet me I’m so happy to see you”. The owner fit the pit bull breed stereotype, rough. But his eyes said the same thing. Don’t judge me by my looks. Where Edgewater Chicago meet is one of the best places in Chicago to visit. The Edgewater Chicago neighborhood has a lot to offerWe had a nice conversation about the pup, who was only 8 months old and already interested in a twig and a nearby bird, so off they went.

We also met a very wrinkled, larger old lady in a bikini walking her hairless Chihuahua. Yes, I said it a bikini.

The phrase of the day “You know when you get old and you don’t care what people think? I don’t think I can care that little”

Chicago Sightseeing Boat Tours

Part of the girls Chicago weekend trip to see my son included touristy things that he just doesn’t have time to do with his school and work. One of them was a lake and Seadog lake and river boat tour.

Chicago sightseeing boat tours and Chicago River cruises boat tours
Seadog boat tour in Chicago

It was a BLAST, seriously Chicago sightseeing boat tours can be boring and slow, but Seadog gives you speed on the lake beforehand.

It was here that we met the fourth very friendly Chicagoan, who was so excited to be sharing his city. Up until the week before he had never done a boat tour and he had lived there all his life. He recorded part of it on his iPhone and said we were in for an exciting trip.

His words were “Chicago has heart!”

Based on the people I met on this one weekend, Chicago is a friendly city and the people do have a heart.

The thing that topped off my respect and faith for the city of Chicago was when I misplaced my gift bag from Chinatown in the restroom of a restaurant. We were rushing to get on the Navy Pier bus at 4:00 pm and I wasn’t thinking.

More than four hours later my kids convinced me to go back, maybe it’s still there. You see I don’t get souvenirs that often and this one had special meaning.

So we made the trip back, I asked at the desk, I looked in the trash, I asked the bartender if anyone had turned anything in, no luck. Out of desperation I opened the door to the stall and in the corner sat my bag.

Yes, Chicago has a heart, Chicago is full of friendly people, Chicago has honest people.

Our girls weekend to visit my son was wonderful! We went to the Billy Joel Concert in Wrigley Field, ate Chicago pizza, went to Chinatown, did a boat tour, sat and watched a free concert at Millennial Park, watched fireworks, and visited Navy Pier (which I was very disappointed) But best of all got to spend time with my son who is going to school at Tribeca Film Academy and making quite the name for himself in a very short time.

Chicago sightseeing boat tours are fun and meet at Navy PierThere will be a next time, Shea Aquarium, a few museums, and maybe even a show or two. Someday I’ll actually sit on the beach for an afternoon, watch the dogs and the sailboats on the lake. Sounds like another great trip.

Yes, I know about the gang mob violence in Chicago. Like any big city, there are certain areas you avoid, there are precautions you take on the train, a certain way to behave, stay alert, not draw attention to yourself and stay safe.

I had a drunk guy fall over on me on the train, but I also witnessed people applaud when my son killed a flying bug and “saved” a little boy who was scared.

So how about you? Have you been to Chicago, do you live there? What do you like, what would you suggest for my next trip?

 

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Filed Under: Travel Adventures Tagged With: Chicago, city, family, illinois, midwest, tourism, travel, Travel and Tourism, Vacation

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thomas G says

    August 24, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Hi great story. I am from Chicago and live on the NW side of the city. It is a beautiful place and you described it well.

    • info@3QuartersToday.com says

      August 24, 2014 at 7:34 pm

      Why thank you for commenting so quickly. I did indeed love Chicago and could of easily stayed a month, or more. Maybe not during the winter, but now I see why my son lives it.

  2. Alejandro Mallado (@alemalladofoto) says

    August 25, 2014 at 5:23 am

    I´m happy reading your post man, I´m moving to Chicago next month and i´m really excited about it.

  3. info@3QuartersToday.com says

    August 27, 2014 at 8:19 am

    The lines were too long, going to do it next time. Thanks for the comment.

  4. lea says

    December 11, 2014 at 8:53 am

    It looks beautiful! My good friend is from Chicago and just from what he has been saying for years and what I’ve read from your blog it is a great place. I have never been there, but I hope to see it soon.

  5. Bullright says

    December 18, 2014 at 11:47 am

    Seems to me anytime a town(city) incorporates trees into it there is a big gain. Clean is all the better, but trees add what nothing else can.

  6. Jen says

    September 10, 2015 at 4:38 am

    I’m glad you had a good trip. I live about an hour west of Chicago and we visit often and usually enjoy our visits.

    • info@3QuartersToday.com says

      September 10, 2015 at 3:39 pm

      I’m heading there this weekend actually to deliver a pup to my cousin. A quick in and out. Wish I had more time. I will head downtown for the lights though. The fountain is so pretty lite up. Thanks for visiting and please come back again.

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