Nestled 9 miles north of the Loop on the city’s far north side, Rogers Park and Edgewater are quietly taking the title as two of Chicago’s most diverse, affordable, and eccentric neighborhoods. Some attribute the charm of both neighborhoods to their distance from the hustle and bustle of the city center, while others say it's their proximity to the calm of the lake and their wide, almost suburban, streets; dotted with charming single-family homes. My opinion? A little bit of both. Whether you’re checking out one of its many parks or beaches, eating on Devon Ave, or just taking a stroll through the beautiful campus of Loyola University Chicago, you’ll be sure to find a sense of calm you didn’t know existed in Chicago.
Chicago is lucky to be home to a large and beautiful lakefront. With green space for miles, most of us pack onto the beach in those short summer months to enjoy some rays and a quick dip in the lake. But what if you could have all that without the crowds? Look no further. Hartigan Beach is hidden at the end of Albion Ave. just north of Loyola's campus. With the students gone for the summer, this beach is a great hide away for an afternoon with a good book, a cold drink, and a lot of time to kill.(Just make sure to get there before the frost hits. I wasn't so lucky...)
