7.9 out of 10

Woodlawn

Ranked 8th best neighborhood in Chicago
41.7810792800051 -87.5880571906951
Great for
  • Cost of Living
  • Public Transport
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Parking
Not great for
  • Shopping Options
  • Nightlife
  • Schools
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Students
  • Hipsters
  • Beach Lovers

Reviews

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

"Northeast Woodlawn is Great"

Woodlawn is starting to become gentrified, but still maintains is essential Southside spirit. From the golf course to Daley's it has most if not all you are looking for. The area between the Metra and Greenline is ideal (east of Cottage Grove). The schools are concerning, but the Chicago Lab schools are walkable if you can get in and there is another UChicago charter school in the area. Recently a lot of $600K+ homes have been sold in the northeast area and things don't seem to be slowing down.
Pros
  • Major improvements recently
  • Cheap
  • Close to University of Chicago
Cons
  • No nightlife
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Hipsters
  • Students
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Convenient and Quiet"

UChicago is currently building a south campus and the area may get a lot more undergrads, but for the time being it is very quiet with virtually no traffic. The area is patrolled by both the Chicago and UChicago police, so its very safe. The Obama Library and Tiger Woods golf course are soon to be built, so the neighborhood is adding some amenities outside of Robust Coffee. The current golf course isn't that bad in its current state and the beach along Jackson Park is also surprisingly nice. Woodlawn is great especially if you live north of 63rd and east of Cottage Grove. This is essentially the good part of East Woodlawn, but West Woodlawn will need some work. There is virtually no nightlife or great restaurants, but Daley's is amazing if you like a neighborhood diner feel. Though the green line doesn't have a proper station the train is always parked there with its doors open so you don't have to stand in the cold and wait for the train to leave.
Pros
  • Major improvements recently
  • Lots of potential
  • Cheap
  • Close to University of Chicago
  • Affordable Living
Cons
  • No dining
  • No nightlife
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Hipsters
  • Students
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Great place for your first home"

Woodlawn is one of the best kept secrets of Chicago. If you look at the crime map, the access to the CTA, and housing prices its really a no brainer especially if you live north of 63rd or 65th street. There is a serious lack of restaurants and businesses here, but being on the green line pretty much solves that issue. There is a lot of new developments and modern condos going up right now in addition to a new grocery store and a bunch of hipster cafes. The public schools here are bad, but at least there are some exceptional private schools within walking distance. I currently live in a 6 unit condo where every unit is occupied by law or med students so its quite nice, business school students tend to live downtown. Crime isn't much of an issue, but it really helps that most of the neighborhood is within the UChicago police's extended patrol area, also explains all the grad students living in the area. I hope it stays affordable especially for the sake of the grad students.
Pros
  • Major improvements recently
  • Lots of potential
  • Cheap
  • Close to University of Chicago
  • Affordable Living
Cons
  • No dining
  • No nightlife
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Hipsters
  • Students
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
2yrs+

"Woodlawn: Rising like a Phoenix"

I am a resident and property owner in in the eastern part of Woodlawn. My wife and I specifically picked out the area as it's affordable, quiet, and a good location for both of us in terms of work.

I agree with abramb who reviewed back in May of 2018 - the neighborhood has come a long way, and continues to be on that path. There is a very active community that is very involved in making it a great neighborhood. I think it is important to take serious the perspectives of those who actually live in Woodlawn, because too many see it from the outside - see a couple news reports - and totally write off a place. I too have never felt unsafe in my neighborhood - day time and night time.

Honestly, when you look at the crime it is of par with Hyde Park. I think what additionally may turn some off is the limited restaurant and shopping opportunities. Though personally, I view some of this as a benefit. We don't have to deal with the extra traffic, parking issues, and noise that comes from having a bustling "downtown" - like in Hyde Park. Also, we don't have to deal with ( at least not yet) Hyde Park home prices/property taxes/rent prices - yet we have easy access to Hyde Park amenities. Though I would like more grocery store options (the new Jewel on Cottage Grove is taking a while to be built).

Things that people who don't live in Woodlawn sometimes don't see are:
1. Bunch of little play parks for kids,
2. Number of community gardens where you can grow your own produce,
3. Home to the ONLY southside dog park - Jackson Bark,
4. Easy access to Jackson and Washington Park, close to the Museum of Science and Industry ,
5. 63rd street beach,
6. Metrosquash,
7. Southside YMCA,
8. Saturday Farmer's Market on 61st,
9. Two great locally owned coffee shops - Robust Coffee and Greenline Coffee
10. Great public transit access - CTA and the Metra (63rd Street stop)
11. La Rabida Children's Hospital.
12. Close to the South Shore Cultural Center
13. Easy access to Lake Shore Drive, and Lakeshore Trail for bikers and runners.

Lastly, returning to crime. I think unfortunately for some there is a level of prejudice, given that Woodlawn is predominately a Black neighborhood. I invite you to look up the stats for other neighborhoods that don't have the bad rap. For example, last year Logan Square had more burglary and robbery incidents than Woodlawn. Also, according to Trulia, Old Town had 62 robberies while East Woodlawn (which is a larger area) had 90.
Pros
  • Affordable Living
  • Close to the Lake
  • Community Gardens
  • Major improvements recently
  • Lots of potential
  • Cheap
  • Close to University of Chicago
Cons
  • No dining
  • No nightlife
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Students
  • Beach Lovers
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"It is getting better"

I am giving Woodlawn five stars to help improve the average. Is it perfect? Definitely not. It is getting a lot better, though, ... and fast. I have lived here for 1 year owning a condo in the northeast quadrant. It's improving daily. You see it everywhere. A new Jewel Osco, a new Green Line station, a new U of Chicago Charter School, new coffee shops, a farmers market, new U of Chicago Dorms on 61st.

I have never felt unsafe here but you do need to be aware of your surroundings like a lot of neighborhoods of Chicago.

What I really like about Woodlawn is the strong community organizations and access to public transportation. Woodlawn has a lot of active community groups, nonprofits and corporate entities working to improve the neighborhood. There's 1Woodlawn, POAH, U of Chicago, The Obama Library, Blacks in Green, MetroSquash, etc. There is a lot of conversation happening about the future of the neighborhood. The conversation is helping from what I see.

Woodlawn has the Green Line, several convenient bus lines including the #2 Express Bus to downtown, and a Metra stop. On top of that, unlike a lot of Chicago neighborhoods, you can still buy an affordable home here with lots of space that comes with parking and does not come with a ridiculous HOA fee. The Logan Arts Center within Woodlawn with its cafe and free performances and events is also a very nice perk.
Pros
  • Major improvements recently
  • Lots of potential
  • Cheap
  • Close to University of Chicago
Cons
  • Still a long way to go
  • No dining
  • No nightlife
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 1/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 1/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Crime infested neighborhood near U of Chicago"

When I attended The University of Chicago, we were told not to go past 60th street, because if we did we would enter the dangerous neighborhood of Woodlawn. We were issued whistles to carry around with us and blow if we saw any criminal activity. The school had a huge police patrol to try to keep crime from the surrounding areas from entering onto the campus. This South Side Chicago neighborhood has a convenient location and one that is near a great school and hospital. However, still there is a lot of crime and gang activity in Woodlawn.

South Side Chicago tends to be quite segregated when it comes to race. For example, Woodlawn is about 98% African American. Back in the 1950's the neighborhood was actually mostly white and was home to a lot of University of Chicago professors. Some professors and students do indeed live in Woodlawn, but they have to be pretty careful about the crime.

On the bright side, there has been some progress in stabilizing Woodlawn. There are some new developments and the University is also lightening up on its formerly dramatic stance where students were told not to go there. Hopefully, things are turning around for the best.
Pros
  • Lots of potential
  • Major improvements recently
Cons
  • Still a long way to go
Recommended for
  • Singles
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
2yrs+

"Better Than Englewood, But Still Has a Ways to Go"

The South Side neighborhood of Woodlawn has made noticeable improvements in recent years, but it’s not quite there yet. Although it’s not as bad as Englewood (which is the worst of the worst in Chicago), it’s still not great. I don’t feel particularly safe in Woodlawn, but I also don’t feel as threatened as I would in Englewood. In spite of its checkered past, which includes being home to one of Chicago’s worst gangs, Woodlawn keeps trying to get better and is having some degree of success.

In that way, I have respect for the community leaders and residents of Woodlawn for refusing to give in to its past and continuing to strive for better. A focus on education is helping to improve schools slowly but surely, so I think the future of Woodlawn will certainly be better. Would I visit Woodlawn? Probably not because there really isn’t much going on for non-residents, but I do think there is a world of potential here.

I see Woodlawn as a neighborhood full of determination. Its spirit is undeniable, which is why I think it will eventually rise above its negative reputation and prove itself to be an important Chicago community. It just may take some time to get there.
Pros
  • Lots of potential
  • Major improvements recently
Cons
  • Still a long way to go
3/5 rating details
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
2yrs+

"Not there yet."

Woodlawn has the University, but other than that there isn't much going on. The area, because of it's University feel offers reasonable housing and has a pretty active social life, but overall there is nothing going on that would make the masses run to the area. Because of it's college credentials the residents tend to be transient and don't really worry much about how the neighborhood looks and feels. It is doubtful that a group will suddenly come into Woodlawn and turn it into the new hip neighborhood to be in, but it isn't the worst you can find.

The area is rough and crime is not particularly uncommon. I wouldn't sit outside at 2am and have a cigarette, but I wouldn't feel the need to clutch my bag close to me at high noon either. There is talk that some improvement are coming, but there has been talk for years from what I understand and little has been done to improve the area. The eats are cheap, because of the college crowd, but mediocre at best and the shopping is basically non-existent. It would not be my first, second or third choice.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 1/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Not the first neighborhood I’d pick to trick or treat in…"

Alright, first things first. I’m not a big fan of Woodlawn. I know what you’re thinking, and just because it’s the Southside of Chicago and the University of Chicago campus is there does not mean I’m going to like it. This isn’t a Southside Irish neighborhood. It’s a ‘Once home to one of the biggest gangs in Chicago’ neighborhood. That said, I know there have been some efforts to make improvements, but still, at this point, outside of the University there isn’t a whole lot for me here.
Food
Let’s start with food. If you live here, you’re going to go somewhere else to get something to eat. You can try out the Marina Café in the summer, and that’s only decent because it has a nice view of the lake, but otherwise, if you find yourself hungry in Woodlawn, go North to Hyde Park and find something better.
Travel
Actually, because this is part of Chicago, it’s not half bad. Public transportation is yet again a good option, and if you want to get downtown, take the Green line, you’ll be in the Loop and have a lot more opportunity soon. I know there’s busses but I’ve never taken one in Woodlawn, but I’ve generally been happy with the CTA, so it’s not a bad choice. I don’t park, or almost ever drive my car through the area, so I can’t speak for the parking, but I’m sure you’ll find a place to have your car stolen.
Residence
The price for a home in Woodlawn is pretty reasonable, but again, this is due to the fact that it is a rough neighborhood. Even with the improvements that have taken place in the last few years, I don’t plan on living there any time soon. No doubt there are some nice homes, and it is close to the University of Chicago, so if that holds some interest for you, by all means.

I know I’m pretty negative about Woodlawn. There has been some effort, especially in recent years, to make improvements to the community and I have no doubt that things will continue to improve. But of everything that has affected the community, the University is by far the best. There have been expansions, which so far has proved to clean up those parts of the neighborhood converted to use for the school. In a few more years time, Woodlawn may not be such a bad place to visit, but I’d still suggest finding another place to live if you’re looking.
Pros
  • Cheap
  • Close to University of Chicago
  • Major improvements recently
Cons
  • No dining
  • Unsafe
  • No nightlife
Recommended for
  • Singles

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