6.8 out of 10

Kenwood

Ranked 28th best neighborhood in Chicago
41.8059459371308 -87.5932352887053
Great for
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Eating Out
  • Clean & Green
  • Cost of Living
Not great for
  • Childcare
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Pest Free
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Internet Access
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • Retirees

Reviews

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

"Home to Obama and a Great Art Center"

On the South Side of Chicago is the area known as Kenwood. The Kenwood area also has access to a good deal of the lakefront and, as a result, a variety of housing and businesses that have good views of the lake. The area was once one on the more sought after addresses in the city and is still home to a a variety of high profile landmarks such as the Blackstone Library. The Blackstone Library is an impressive structure that is part of the Chicago Public Library System and stands out due to its impressive and noteworthy design. Kenwood is also very close to The University of Chicago school and hospital.

Another landmark located in the Kenwood area is the Hyde Park Art Center. Recently, the Hyde Park Art Center moved into a new space that is nothing short of impressive. The simple fact is that this impressive space has to rank right at the top of interesting places to go and things to do in Chicago. A wide variety of activities take place in the Center and there is always something of interesting on the horizon. If you like art and art exhibitions, then you will find some thought provoking ones here. No matter where you live in the city, this is worth the drive.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
2yrs+

"Kenwood - Beautiful & Green"

Kenwood is an absolutely gorgeous neighborhood on the south side (it’s directly north of Hyde Park, home to the University of Chicago). This is a middle to upper class area, mostly African-American but pretty diverse. Some of the surrounding neighborhoods to the north and west aren’t very safe, but Kenwood as a whole is a pretty safe area.

I guess I’ll start with the obvious – President Obama’s home is in Kenwood. Whoop-dee-do!

This is an amazing area to walk around – the architecture is stunning and the streets are lined with nice, big trees. A lot of old, historic mansions are in Kenwood. There’s Obama’s, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s home, Muhammad Ali’s former home…the list goes on and on. There are also a couple of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes in the area. It’s also right on the lake and there are several parks in the area. All of these homes have been really well preserved and are VERY pricey, but are great to look at – a perfect summer day!

The area is very family and community oriented, and that’s mostly who you’ll find living here - families. There are corner stores, bars and restaurants – no fine dining or trendy shops really, but that would only take away from the real neighborhood vibe.
Pros
  • a little far from downtown
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
2yrs+

"Obama's Neighborhood"

Contrary to what a lot of America thinks, he is NOT from Hyde Park, but Kenwood, a distinct area unto itself.

It went through a downturn which reached its nadir in the 1990s but has been steadily coming around. I bet with in the next few years it will be so far 'in' its out.

There are a large number of landmarks here, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters are here as well as the Blackstone Library. Kenwood is located in close proximity to Hyde Park with all of its advantages.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Get here while you still can!"

I'm going to have to say that Kenwood is one of those neighborhoods that I would really like to live in right now. It's not that it is the best area itself, but the prices are pretty good for the most part, and since I have relatively little means right now (no wife or kids) and I don't need a ton of space, I'm looking for something here that will work real well.

One of the reasons why I like Kenwood so much is that it's close to areas like Hyde Park, which is another of my favorite parts of the city. While I might rather live there, Kenwood is a good alternative if you're looking to be close.

Crime is, in my opinion, not too bad here. I've never felt seriously threatened or anything. Of course, caution should be taken, etc etc, but that doesn't mean you have to think about running for it every second you're out like in some areas.

I've seen a lot of families in Kenwood, and I would say it is pretty good for those looking to raise a family. As it is the neighborhood of President Obama, I think that bodes well for the neighborhood to continue to see improvement and gentrification in the coming years, meaning get in while you still can!
Pros
  • Clean and nice
  • Safe
  • Affordable
Cons
  • It may get a little stale in a few years
  • Becoming trendy, so housing prices might shoot up
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
2yrs+

"Soon to be Hip"

Kenwood is part of the inner city, but overall it has a nice feel. You won't find anything wild or crazy to do at night, and the food is only fairly good, but the housing prices and overall safety of the area makes it a bargain. This is no Mayberry and you do have to be careful and cautious when venturing out at night, but that goes for every neighborhood in a large city. I've personally never seen anything that caused me great alarm or distress in the area and the business areas offer a wide range of really cool services. Overall I think Kenwood has the ability to be a real up and comer, especially with the Obama connection. I would bet that Kenwood will see a serious revitalization in coming years and might become the next up and coming neighborhood in Chicago.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
2yrs+

"Obama's Home Base"

Many people mistakenly think that President Obama hails from Hyde Park. This is simply not the case. He is from Kenwood- a very distinct difference to people from the area.

Kenwood is undergoing gentrification. But that revival is still beginning which makes touring this area best by bus or car. However- if it is good enough for the Obama's it is certainly good enough for me.

To be frank- this is an area I know fairly little about. I will however take field trip and explore so I can review it more effectively.

One thing I can mention about it is the Ain't She Sweet Cafe. Fantastic. A must if you are in the area.
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • 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+

"Get a taste of Inner city chicago"

The neighborhood surrounding the big wide street called Drexel Ave. is growing and becoming a very exciting place to be. Located within walking distance of Jesse Jackson's Operation PUSH headquarters and Washington Park, this neighborhood is full of inner city Chicago flavor and mixed ethnicity. There are several schools within walking distance and a short distance from nationally known University of Chicago campus and hospital.
This area of the south side of Chicago has an abundance of hundreds of apartments within each block of different price ranges. There are townhomes springing up all around the area but they are pretty pricey depending on your budget, but the apartments can be pretty nice if you're not too picky and dong mind parking on the street. Parking can be a problem though but its not as difficult to find street parking as it is in neighborhoods further north.
There is a small town feeling along Drexel ave. with many residents using the median along Drexel ave for barbecuing and family get togethers during warm weather evenings and weekends. On many occasions men get together and play checkers and chess right in the middle of the street.
Public transportation is readily available with buses along 51st and Cottage Grove ave. Unfortunately there are no bus routes directly on Drexel ave and if you favor using Metra train services there are train stations located in Hyde Park.
You may need to travel over to Hyde Park for shopping as well which is only a few minutes away if you want a variety of different shops and grocery stores.
As for crime in the area this is inner city Chicago so caution should be taken when going out at night and take care to lock your apartment and car doors at all times. Theft is no uncommon, nor is occasional street violence.
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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