Harmoniously diverse and the northernmost nabe in all of Chicago, Rogers Park is known as place where it’s easy (or at least easier) to find city real estate that fits your needs. Highlights here include abundant parks, dreamy Lake Michigan beaches (about a 10 minute walk away from anywhere in the nabe), and regal Loyola University.
Commercial venues here consist mostly of mom and pop shops and restaurants and a few student dive bars. Ditch your car here (parking’s a problem) and ride downtown on the red line—you’re guaranteed a seat, as Rogers Park is one of its early stops.
Urging for suburbia? Take the red line the other way to Evanston just to the north.
Data : Neighborhoods & Travel – Score out of 100
TOP ATTRIBUTES
Pet friendly 80
Public Transportation 80
Dining 70
Students 65
Singles 63
LOWEST ATTRIBUTES
Seniors 45
Families 40
Shopping 38
Parking 27
Income 14
Rogers Park Reviews
Michael L.Tracey Z.Rogers Park: A Neighborhood of Variety
I live in an apartment in Rogers Park on the north side of Chicago. It is the northernmost neighborhood within city limits, and is also considered the most diverse neighborhood in the city of Chicago, and one of the most diverse in the United States.
It diversity extends not just to ethnicity, but to economic status, age, and style. In a city like Chicago, that has a bad reputation for unofficial segregation between its neighborhoods, Rogers Park is a breath of fresh air.
One can walk down Sheridan Road and experience people, restaurants, and stores from literally dozens of cultures and backgrounds, including Thai, Indian, Ethiopian, Polish, Italian, African-American, Mexican, Caucasian, and an untold number of influences from various African, Asian, European, Carribean, and Central and South American countries.
Diversity is measured in other ways, such as the fact that a good part of the neighborhood is dominated by Loyola University of Chicago, a private, Catholic University. Meanwhile, there is low income housing and senior citizen housing just blocks away, as well as many single family homes on quiet, tree-lined streets.
There are also small sections of gay communities, as well as distinct artist communities, such as the Glenwood Avenue Arts District. Some apartments are small and inexpensive, while many are brand new condominiums and luxury apartments, such as the Morgan at Loyola Station.
There are a handful of chain establishments, such as CVS, 7-11, and fast food restaurants like McDonald’s and Chipotle. However, the bulk of the businesses in the neighborhood are private establishments with a Mom and Pop vibe to them.
For each 7-11 there are 3 or 4 independent convenience stores run by families from many different countries, each of which will cater to its regulars’ needs. For each fast food chain, there are a pair of unique greasy spoon diners in the truest Chicago style or ethnic restaurants.
There are a several bars, which 3 or 4 of which cater mostly to students, and the rest to mostly locals. Affordable prices are the norm, considering the neighborhood is equally full of students, artists, and low-income families.
One especially interesting spot is the 400 Movie Theater, which just underwent renovations and remains one of the most inexpensive theaters in the city. There are a few small parks, as well as open beach access at every street north of Loyola University.
Non-profit groups are working to open the beachfront south of Loyola, stretching to Lakeshore Drive, to the public. The neighborhood can seem dicey at night, and gang-related activity is not completely uncommon.
However, there is a noticeable police presence, as well as Loyola’s own security vehicles. It is a very safe place to walk around during the day. Public transportation is very easy.
There are multiple Red Line stops in the neighborhood and several bus lines that will bring you south to downtown or north toEvanston. The commute is especially easy because buses and trains are not crowded yet when you board them that far north in the city.
Notable Hot Spots:
—The New 400 Theater6746 N. Sheridan Rd: Has new movies at affordable prices, and even sells alcohol at select times.
Grill Inn- 1422 W. Morse Ave: Local grilled/fried food joint with a huge menu is growing rapidly in popularity
Pratt Beach- One block east of Sheridan Road, has plenty of space for swimming, activities, and even a long lighthouse pier that provides a great view of downtown Chicago
Hamilton’s Bar and Grill-6341 N Broadway: Caters to students, professors, and locals.Good place to grab some wings, some beers, and a game on TV.
There are so many more independent restaurants that cannot be listed here. Enjoy walking around and sampling some unique and diverse grub.
I initially moved to Rogers Park in August of 2008 as a function of being a student at Loyola University Chicago. At first, I did not have any particular fondness for the neighborhood, other than the fact that it was convenient for school and close to the beach. However, since graduating from Loyola, I have stayed in Rogers Park and probably will continue to do so because the area has many decent apartments for affordable prices, which is great for recent college grads, and Rogers Park also boasts a lot of character. The diversity and affordability makes it an under-the-radar, hip place to live, but without the pretentious attitude.Marianne L.Rogers Park is becoming safer and cleaner due in part to Loyola’s efforts to improve the quality and safety of the neighborhood. New businesses and restaurants are starting to come to the area.
Due to the racial diversity of Rogers Park, there are many ethnic eateries, from Ethiopian to Thai cuisine. Though the nightlife leaves something to be desired because the majority of the bars are either a bit seedy or cater mainly to (occasionally underage) college students, being located along the Red Line makes it easy to head south to more exciting bars.
As the northernmost neighborhood of Chicago, it can be an inconvenient location if you work downtown, but it can also be nice to be away from the bustle and noise of busier neighborhoods. The proximity to the Red Line and the number of bus routes make it easy to get downtown or north to Evanston.
Kristyn A.Rogers Park
I’ll be honest, Rogers Park and I have had a love/hate relationship for a few years now. I mean, we’re still on pretty good terms but at times I just feel like my needs aren’t being completely taken into account, and it hurts.
All discrepancies aside, I do have to admit that riding up the lakefront path, which ends at the Loyola Campus, there is a certain charm to the nabe. On one side you have the university and all that comes along with it: students, jesuits, bookstores, bars and the like.
On the other hand, there is Devon in which you can gorge on the most delicious of Indian fare or check out the shops. Overall, the nabe is pretty chill during the day, at night however parts of it can feel a little sketchy.
But hey, the redline runs right through it and as long as you’re not too far gone to maneuver your way into the station, you’re good to go.
What's awesome
Devon, lakefront, Heartland Cafe
What's not so awesome
far from downtown, sketchy
Bill MortonMy All-Time Favorite Neighborhood
Rogers Park is a real gem, and while I agree with other reviewers that it has its moments of, shall we say, lagging nabe safety, its other eclectic, hard-to-come-by-in-Chicago features far outshine its grittiness. Did I walk alone at night there?
Heck no! But would I walk alone at night anywhere, in any neighborhood? That’s a big, resounding no!
Any city can be unpredictable and that’s always something I keep in mind. I don’t expect to be safe anywhere, so I take the necessary precautions. I’ve heard that Rogers Park is the most diverse nabe in the country, boasting large Mexican, Pakistani, Indian and East African populations.
I lived within walking distance of a Middle Eastern market, a Mexican/Eastern European grocery store (what a combination!) and a weekly farmer’s market with a plentiful selection of organic and artisan products. I can’t gush enough about the way this diverse community interacts: small business abound and locals support them!
Aging hippies, unpretentious creatives, engaged citizens, Chicago natives, young families and busy students live in Rogers Park. There are studio spaces for artists everywhere, grungy, lovable dive bars like the Red Line Tap and the Oasis, some of the most amazing Indian and Mexican food you’ll have the opportunity to taste and public beaches, parks and playgrounds within walking distance from anywhere in the neighborhood.
Commercial and residential space is mixed here, which gives every corner a unique flavor. There are the brick walk-ups you find everywhere in Chicago, but they’re tempered by colorful Victorian-style, single-family homes and even some more modern high rises.
Street parking is a nightmare; I saw a lot of busted windshields and bruised bumpers around town. But the benefit is that the buses on Chicago Avenue and Clark Devon Streets, the Red Line and the Metra all converge in Rogers Park.
You don’t need a car here. It’s a little far from downtown and inconvenient to get to southwestern neighborhoods like Logan Square and Pilsen, but you’re close enough to Boystown,Andersonville, Wrigleyville and any other nabes off the Red Line that you can satiate any need to dig your heels into Chicago’s more urban centers.
It seems that every weekend in the summer there’s another street fair in Rogers Park. It gives the neighborhood a big, block party feel when it’s warm out and local artists convene to sell their stuff.
There’s always a community project going on here, from murals to parades and community gardening. And did I mention the cost of living here is significantly lower than many other neighborhoods in Chicago?
You just can’t beat Rogers Park.
What's awesome
Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Public Beaches, Creativity, Local Flare, Dive Bars, Location off Red Line
What's not so awesome
Safety, Distance from Downtown
Rogers Park character
Rogers Park can be defined by it’s character. It is what we know and love about Rogers Park. It is the personality and spirit of where we live.
Examples could be the residents, the beaches or even the cobblestone street on Glenwood Avenue.
Take for instance, the local businesses. Quest Network Services is our local computer service shop and internet cafe. The owner, Kris Luck, has been in business for over 16 years.
Over the most recent of 11+ years, his shop has been located in Rogers Park on Sheridan Road between Chase and Sherwin Avenues. Our neighbors rely on Quest for everything from communications (internet, postage and fax services), technology (laptops and PCs for sale and computer networking services) and community (community events in Quest’s 1920’s Parlor, host of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, movie nights and meetup group location).
Tweedle Press is our local letterpress print and design shop. Owner, Nina Interlandi Bell creates eco-friendly wedding invitations, stationary, gift tags, coasters, posters, busines
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