5.5 out of 10

Calumet Heights

Ranked 51st best neighborhood in Chicago
41.7296404571882 -87.573421694904
Great for
  • Cost of Living
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Childcare
  • Internet Access
Not great for
  • No ratings yet
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  •  

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Suburban Middle Class Neighborhood on the South Side"

Calumet Heights is a South Chicago middle-class neighborhood with a bit of a average feel. Drive through this neighborhood in the dead of winter in Chicago and you will know what I mean. There isn't anything really special about Calumet Heights, it is just a lot of sprawl with small houses that have fairly average architecture. You will see lot of bungalows and split-level dwellings. There is definitely a suburban feeling here... even though you are still in the city. On the bright side, residents have yards and big sidewalks.

While Calumet Heights is home mostly to African-Americans, you will see other ethnicities as well. In fact, overall, this neighborhood is pretty diverse. Fairly recently, a lot of Latinos have moved in.

As far as what there is to do, it isn't too earthshattering. There is the Marcus Western Heights Cinemas on Hilltop Avenue. Calumet Heights does also have a branch of the excellent Chicago chain restaurant Leona's.

Like many South Side neighborhoods, it can take awhile to get to other parts of the city. The Red line runs through South Chicago, but you will likely have to take a bus to get to the El. This can be a bit of a hassle if you don't feel like spending a lot of time on public transportation.
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Family friendly, but a little boring if you're looking for fun."

Calumet Heights is a lower class residential neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. Almost everything here is residential. I remember a handful of places to eat, mostly pizza joints (this is Chicago), but the houses were the main characteristic of the area.

I would say that Calumet Heights is reasonably safe, and it is a fairly diverse neighborhood, which I think helps the overall atmosphere. When any area of the city is dominated by a single group of people it detracts from the experience. I won't call it the best place, but you could certainly raise a family here, and have a lot of fun. The streets felt safe enough to me, and I think you could go for a nice walk without feeling unsafe.

It can be hard to find something to do here, and it certainly isn't a neighborhood for tourists, but I like Calumet Heights for the atmosphere it provides. Good for families, maybe a little boring for singles.
Pros
  • Family friendy
  • affordable
  • Pretty safe
Cons
  • Not a lot to do
  • Boring
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
Deena
Deena Calumet Heights includes a smaller section known as “Pill Hill” – so named in the 1970s because of the high concentration of affluent doctors who lived there and worked at the local hospital (South Chicago Community Hospital). Back in the 70s and into the 80s, I had many friends who lived in and around Pill Hill so I was in the area frequently. I always remembered it as an upper class neighborhood. I thought of it as the Beverly Hills of the East Side. I haven’t been to the area in many years but from what I’ve learned on the internet, this section is still a pretty nice residential neighborhood of middle class working folks and even some who are considered affluent. I’d consider it very unfortunate for the residents if their surrounding neighbors have become “the lower class”. It wouldn’t surprise me much. It’d make Pill Hill another one of those many “pockets” located all over the city that are very nice to be in once you get there, but you might have to pass through what looks like a battle zone on your way there.
2yrs+
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3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Another ethnically diverse residential area"

A particular area in Cal Heights was often referred to as 'Pill Hill' because of the large number of physicians from South Shore Hospital who resided there.

As such it is a quiet residential area almost entirely comprised of many middle class residents from ethnically diverse backrounds.

It is a nice place to call home that is still within easy access of all Chicago has to offer.
Recommended for
  • Families with kids

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41.7306387216364 -87.5827328644852
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