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Chicago, Illinois

Population: 2,896,016
Located in DuPage County

Chicago, Illinois - 2008 Top 100 Winner

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is made up of many different parts. There is the Gold Coast, River North, the Magnificent Mile, Streeterville, and Old Town. The best of Chicago is within easy reach including the Sears Tower and all of downtown.

Transportation:
Travel is easy with the elaborate system of expressways and public transportation that includes taxis, buses, the subway, and elevated trains that make transportation convenient within the city and to and from surrounding suburbs.

Recreation:
The Lakefront provides the setting for an endless array of activities, from swimming and boating to bike trails and jogging paths. Entertainment is just a short ride away. The Lincoln Park Zoo, the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium are all facilities that promote fun and learning for all ages.

Education:
In addition to the Chicago public schools, renowned private and parochial schools in the area offer an alternative to area residents. Private elementary schools include Montessori School Near-North. Exclusive private high schools include the Latin School of Chicago, Francis Parker School, Quigley Seminary North, and St. Ignatius College Prep. Institutions of higher learning in the Near North Side include Rush University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and DePaul University.

Shopping:
Michigan Avenue's 'Magnificent Mile' is among the most elite retail districts in the nation. The 'Mile' features such exclusive shops as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus, Marshall Field's, and Bloomingdale's. Water Tower Place is an elaborate eight floor indoor Mall featuring more than 120 specialty shops, several restaurants, and seven cinemas.

The Gold Coast is Chicago's wealthiest neighborhood. But unlike the most affluent suburbs, the Gold Coast is diverse and exciting as well as exclusive with several historic landmark mansions on Lake Shore Drive. The area is rich in vintage walkups, which afford a diversity of architecture. Neighborhood assets include the lakefront, restaurants and an elegant shopping district. Gold Coast residents can walk to stores such as Barney's New York and Henri Bendel, and dozens of charming boutiques.

Arts:
River North boats the largest concentration of art galleries outside of Manhattan. Unique shops, world-famous restaurants and thriving entertainment make up River North. It is just a short walk from Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue, and the Loop. Once an old manufacturing and warehouse district, today the area booms with large employers such as Quaker Oats and various businesses including classy clothing and furniture stores in the recently converted Merchandise Mart. The neighborhood has 40 quality restaurants including famous names such as Planet Hollywood, Michael Jordan's, the Hard Rock Cafe, and now, Spago, as well as another 20 popular fast-food establishments.

Historically identified as that part of downtown where the famous elevated trains circle the city, Chicago's Loop is known as a bustling commercial center with a skyline full of complex and varied architectural styles. It is also home to many fans of urban living who enjoy being in the heart of everything the city has to offer.

Trendy neighborhoods like Printers Row, South Loop, West Loop and the new Millennium Park area attract residents who enjoy the close proximity to fine dining, theaters, nightclubs, sporting venues, galleries, museums, and shopping along The Magnificent Mile as well as numerous activities and events in the city parks along Lake Michigan.

Chicago's multicultural heritage is reflected in its neighborhoods, which now attracts thousands of visitors each year. Chicago is home to nearly three million people from all over the world. As each new group has come to Chicago, their unique community spirit, typified by Chicago's motto "I will," has enabled them to build a new community, new life, and new future. This spirit is responsible for a city that has never stopped dreaming, building, rebuilding, growing, and making major contributions to the world.

Photo Source for all Chicago Pages: neighborhoods.chicago.il.us

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