Photo:Ednilson Kimura (Ed)Hampshire is part of the Chicago area. This page covers the whole metro.
Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
One resident weighing the city for kids cited Chicago Public Schools and childcare affordability as drawbacks alongside park programs and museums.
“Chicago Park District, museums Cons: Chicago Public Schools, finding good and affordable childcare, lack of family friendly events”
Old Town's bar row, including Benchmark, Woodies, and The Vig, draws a younger crowd on nights out.
“The row of bars you wanna hit will be all younger people.”
From 8 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident named Evanston Space, Thalia Hall, Empty Bottle and Salt Shed as favorite venues for programming, views and sound.
“Evanston Space, Thalia Hall, Empty Bottle and Salt Shed are my favorite Chicago venues! Great programming, solid views, solid sound, solid area...”
Read the full commentOne resident analyzed about 1300 Chicago concert listings to find top genres by venue.
“I analyzed ~1300 Chicago concert listings to find top genres by venue · Concord has a bit of a funky mix with with Dance and Metal accounting for...”
Read the full commentOne resident found it fairly easy to make friends in Chicago, noting many locals are from the area and tend to rely on existing networks
“I found it pretty easy to make friends in both cities. Chicago is a bit different since a lot of folks are both/raised here and seem to rely on...”
Read the full commentOne resident said that despite moving six months ago they have not made a single friend yet, admitting they have not really been trying
“I moved to Chicago about six months ago and, honestly, I haven’t made a single friend yet. To be fair, I haven’t really been trying, and I’m not even...”
Read the full commentOne resident said making friends in Chicago can be a bit more difficult compared to cities like Denver, Austin, or California
“So yes. Making friends in Chicago can be a little more difficult than say, denver, Austin, California, etc. My biggest advice to you is to find...”
Read the full commentNo resident has talked about dating here yet.
Old Town's bar row, including Benchmark, Woodies, and The Vig, draws a younger crowd on nights out.
“Go to Old Town. The row of bars you wanna hit will be all younger people. Benchmark, Woodies, Pour-house LGs, The Vig (gives out cookies at...”
Read the full commentClark Street in Wrigleyville offers a dense cluster of bars with dives and sports options within a couple blocks.
“You want Clark St in Wrigleyville (take the red line to Addison). Tons of bars all within a couple blocks with a decent variety - dives, sports...”
Read the full commentOne bar hopper found Bucktown and Wicker Park surprisingly dead on a Friday night despite occupied bars.
“I was bar hopping in bucktown and wicker park last night and it just seemed dead on a Friday night. There were people in the bars but no were close...”
Read the full commentA longtime resident recalled that nightlife spots like Exit, Neo, Danny's, and Berlin used to be consistently crowded a decade ago.
“Someone else posted about going out. I remember about a decade ago places like Exit, Neo, Danny's, and Berlin (to name a few) were always crowded, and...”
Read the full commentOne resident said going to bars or clubs still makes it really hard to form a friendship beyond a simple acquaintance
“I get going to bars/clubs and joining clubs but even then it is REALLY hard to make a friend beyond just an acquaintance. What about things specific for...”
Read the full commentOne resident said their direct communication style fit well with people in Chicago.
“I’ve always loved Chicago, mainly for the people. I’ve always felt my direct, to the point communication style fits in there and have felt people...”
Read the full commentOne resident said Chicago's job market is insanely competitive and that they applied to 340 jobs.
“Chicago right now is insanely competitive for jobs. Applied to 340 jobs. IL | $30-$40/hr + Benefits ・ pays $19.75/hr in Chicago DT area ・ $13 – $22/h Sales...”
Read the full commentOne resident found that salaries for jobs they are qualified for match the middle of private sector averages.
“Taking a look at the posts I'm qualified for, the salary is right in the middle of the averages I've seen in the private sector.”
Read the full commentPick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
No resident has talked about October yet.
Tap a part of the city to read the comments on this page that name it. A number means residents mention it.
The city's official community areas, grouped by side. Source: City of Chicago.
Public transportation and the food and culture scene are described as great, though winters are super cold.
“Amazing. People are generally friendly, public transportation is great, food and culture are great. Weather is obviously super cold in the...”
Read the full commentOld Town's bar row, including Benchmark, Woodies, and The Vig, draws a younger crowd on nights out.
“Go to Old Town. The row of bars you wanna hit will be all younger people. Benchmark, Woodies, Pour-house LGs, The Vig (gives out cookies at...”
Read the full commentClark Street in Wrigleyville offers a dense cluster of bars with dives and sports options within a couple blocks.
“You want Clark St in Wrigleyville (take the red line to Addison). Tons of bars all within a couple blocks with a decent variety - dives, sports...”
Read the full commentOne bar hopper found Bucktown and Wicker Park surprisingly dead on a Friday night despite occupied bars.
“I was bar hopping in bucktown and wicker park last night and it just seemed dead on a Friday night. There were people in the bars but no were close...”
Read the full comment“it just seemed dead on a Friday night”
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Chicago area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
What rent costs
Of about 1,210,359 rented homes in the Chicago area, 80% rent for under $2,000 a month and 95% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
Public schools
144 public school districts in this county, with about 682,233 students in all. Which one serves a home depends on its address.
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For test results and programs, see each district's site and your state's school report card.