3.9 out of 10

Burnside

Ranked 60th best neighborhood in Chicago
41.7277314622943 -87.5960129505605
Great for
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Cost of Living
  • Internet Access
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Medical Facilities
Not great for
  • Parking
  • Nightlife
  • Shopping Options
  • Safe & Sound
  • Childcare
Who lives here?
  • Singles
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Reviews

2/5 rating details
  • Safe & Sound 1/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
2yrs+

"It's Trying, but I Still Wouldn't Live There"

Burnside is a South Side neighborhood that has undergone many problems in recent years. Although there are attempts at new construction, which gives me hope for the future of the neighborhood, it still is a less than safe area. Affordable home prices attract many new residents, but the slightly high crime rate is enough to keep me away. The future of Burnside could be bright, but it will take quite a bit of effort for it to make a complete turnaround.

I really don’t have much to say about the area—I don’t hate it, but I also wouldn’t put it high on my list of places to visit. I am impressed with the attempts at improvements in the area and I think it will pay off eventually. The ultra-low house prices you’ll find here now might be a good investment if the improvements do take effect. It’s just not enough to encourage me to call it home.

Burnside, like many areas nearby, has seen better days in the past. The question is—are there better days ahead? I think so, but there’s no telling how long it will take to make the changes necessary to turn this neighborhood around.
Pros
  • Low house prices
  • Lots of potential
Cons
  • Not safe
2/5
2yrs+

"Nothing worth seeing."

Burnside went from a middle class neighborhood to a declining area fairly rapidly some 50 years ago and has yet to rebound back to it's middle class roots. Those who originally resided in the area headed for greener pastures and the crime rate rose steadily into the new millennium.

Burnside fell victim to the declining steel business. When steel mills closed shop and companies that built the area up began to slowly remove themselves from Chicago Burnside fell into decline. Those who had the means left the area and those left had to find a way to fend for themselves.

There have been some revitalization efforts in recent years but little has been done to stave off the gang and drug violence that is a regular part of life in Burnside. There are few businesses and little to do in the area. Besides a few historical points of interest there isn't much going on in the area that should or would attract new residents or visitors.
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Not much besides the higher than average crimerate"

Burnside is a residential area with above average crime and few landmarks to draw attention. I'm not that familiar with the area because it isn't the type of place I would want to spend a lot of time in. I've been through there a few times, and wouldn't suggest spending much time there alone. Always have someone with you. Maybe a Green Beret, or a superhero.

The home prices are low, which is a big plus, but don't forget that it's because the neighborhood isn't exactly desirable. I think there is potential in Burnside, or at least there will be once the housing situation gets straightened out. I can see a lot of developers moving in to attempt to gentrify the area and that could make Burnside more attractive. At present, I don't recommend it. Very little in terms of nightlife or dining, and the crime is higher than you would want. Only for the most street savvy would I recommend it, and only then if you have dire financial reasons.
Pros
  • Affordable
  • It can only get better
  • Not a lot of traffic
Cons
  • Unwelcoming
  • No dining or nightlife options for the most part
  • Not safe
Recommended for
  • Singles
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Nothing to Brag About"

This South Side neighborhood is nothing to brag about – what you’ll find here are a lot of bare-looking brick duplexes, single family homes and the occasional tree (some are pretty impressive evergreens).

In the north area of the neighborhood, parking on the streets in this residential area is relatively easy, and the streets stay pretty quiet in this relatively middle class area. The southern area of Burnside is more of a working class area, and some would say that it is a sketchier part of town.
The neighborhood hasn’t seen much changes in recent years, but the low real estate values are beginning to attract a few developers – especially to renovate old homes in the area. If you want to move into the area, it’s best to do so pretty soon, as rumor has it that prices won’t stay low for long.

On the plus side, the area is affordable, but on the down side, it is extremely residential and it’s the kind of Chicago neighborhood that makes you glad to own a car. There’s no reason to visit Burnside if you are only in Chicago for a few days – and if you do find yourself here, take precautions to stay safe.
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"If You Can't Say Something Nice, Do The Best You Can"

This is the area where I spent my first years of life and attended kindergarten. That was over 60 years ago. We left because the neighborhood was changing rapidly, crime was rising and my parents thought our growing family would do better in a Chicago Suburb.

I have fond memories of tall, leafy trees; large parks, a school, still there, Burnside Elementary, that smelled totally like delicious chocolate milk; our apartment building's large sunken front lawn that once flooded, causing my Dad to run out and buy a group of baby ducklings to swim in it. My mother, naturally, didn't approve.

I'm afraid that Burnside today would shock me with the harsh realities of the changes it has weathered since then. I saw no rave reviews or glowing accounts from residents about their home community. But if you can't say something nice, you're not half trying.

Here are some good things I learned from investigating my childhood home:

*At least one parent defends Burnside Elementary as a good school where her child is getting a decent education.

*Kids like to go to the local skating rink which one reviewer termed "very ghetto" because it's inexpensive, with the warning to go only "if you can endure". She goes on to say, "Kids come here to show off and hook up."

Another skating rink reviewer wrote, "This place is off the chain! What if it is ghetto! You won't find Tonya Harding here, only the real skaters go here. You gotta know some tricks on wheels or else you'll look stupid. Don't bring a lot of cash with you--a twenty will do just fine. Don't ever go alone."

*Artis Lounge - for Jazz & Blues in Burnside is the only hint of nightlife I saw in all the resources I looked at. Apparently it is popular. One reviewer wrote, "I have stopped by here a couple of times, and both times were pleasurable experiences. Free blues music on Monday nights can't be beat. While it's not the best stuff I've heard, it certainly sounds a lot better with the generous pours and prices on their libations."

Another wrote, "Place was pretty packed on both Monday nights I went there. Also, this place isn't for the faint of heart. John Barleycorn or Delilah's this is not. So don't expect that out of this lounge. What you will find are real, decent people enjoying some liquid refreshments with some decent live blues music."

*This is definitely the an excellent place to live if you have children. You're not too far from Children's Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park, and right in Burnside stands the renowned University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital at 1111 E. 87th Street.

*Another fine institution found right there is Chicago State University.

*Homes are fairly affordable. Real estate statistics for 2000 show 1,066 homes, of which 723 were classified as single family homes. The median home sale price in this area for 2005 was $146,250.

*One reviewer loved Burnside's Porter Grill and called the food "great." This reviewer wrote that the Teriyaki Chicken was the best they'd ever had.

So there's a few nice things about Burnside, Chicago. You'll notice I didn't mention crime. There's a few other categories missing as well.
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 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+

"Strongest Geometric Shape"

The triangle is the strongest geometric shape; this neighborhood shaped as a triangle is showing its strength and reliance. Once a middle class area the area experienced urban decay and white flight in the past but is rapidly trending toward growth and development. It is an area to watch. I am excited to see what comes of it.

As of now it is a middle class area with some less than nice areas. However the entire area shows lots of potential.
Recommended for
  • Singles

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