Best Places To Raise A Family In Chicago

May 5, 2022

City living is generally considered to be for young up-and-comers. Once you have a family, it’s time to settle into the safety and sameness of the suburbs.

But should it be?

While Chicago has all the things young professionals want — cutting-edge clubs, world-class culture, trend-setting dining — it also can be an amazing place for families.

In general, Chicago is a very walkable city. Parks, thanks to a robust urban planning strategy born in the wake of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, abound. Health care services are plentiful. Single-family homes are widely available in neighborhoods with terrific schools. Costs, compared to many U.S. population centers, are reasonable.

Here’s our list of the best places to raise a family in Chicago:

  1. Beverly/Mount Greenwood
    Is Chicago a good place to raise a family? It has to be because municipal employees are required to live in the city. Most police officers live on the Southwest and Northwest sides. Beverly and Mount Greenwood — lush, established neighborhoods of tree-lined streets and single-family homes — are the Southwest side locations of choice. Low crime figures and good schools — Sutherland and Kellogg Elementary, Mother McAuley and Brother Rice High Schools — are big parts of the appeal.
  2. Edison Park
    The Northwest side’s answer to Beverly and Mount Greenwood. Even lower crime, plus its namesake park is a hub for entertainment and activities year-round. Tucked next to upper-middle-class suburb Park Ridge and closer to O’Hare International Airport than to the Loop, Edison Park can feel a bit like a town unto itself rather than a city neighborhood.
  3. Old Town
    Yes, it is best known as the place where The Second City improv comedy troupe makes its home. It’s also home to St. Michael Church, a magnificent structure rebuilt and expanded after the outer walls of the church survived the Great Chicago Fire. With quiet streets, Victorian charm and the great greenspace of Lincoln Park as much of its eastern border, Old Town has been a draw for families for decades. Nearby Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, the No. 1 Illinois public high school, adds to the allure.
  4. Andersonville
    Six parks, playlots and playgrounds sit within and at Andersonville’s borders. Swedish at its roots, Andersonville retains an Old World feel thanks to its low-lying, historic architecture and long tradition of favoring independent shops and eateries over chain stores and restaurants.

    Close enough to the lake for quick beach afternoons, yet far enough away from its traffic for relative peace, Andersonville is proudly friendly and diverse (with significant LGBT and Latinx populations). Its schools (including Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies, Senn High School and Chicago Waldorf School) offer high-achieving options, traditional and not.

Ready to Take the Plunge?

The best place to live in Chicago with a family is the place you pick with some expert guidance. Mo2 Properties can deliver carefully considered rental properties as well as home-buying opportunities. Reach out to us today to start your search for the perfect family home.

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