Woodlawn

Beautiful Neighborhood in the South Side of Chicago
In the South Side community, Woodlawn is a beautiful lakefront neighborhood surrounded by two parks and offers great transportation access - both public and transit. Residents of Woodlawn are excited about the area's future as it's seen as one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in Chicago and will eventually be home to the Obama Presidential Center in 2021. Its close proximity to the University of Chicago and popular eateries like Robust Coffee Lounge and Daley's Restaurant make it even more desirable.

To fully understand this neighborhood, it's important to know the history. It was seen as one of Chicago's best areas to live in the 50's but took a downturn with the rising crime rate ever since then. It's all coming full circle now however as the days of crime and poverty are over for Woodlawn as new, young residents are beginning to call it home.
What Woodlawn Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
8.0
value
8.8
amenities
6.5
social
5.5
management
6.7
safety
6.3
Median rents in Woodlawn
Studio
$
750
1 Bedroom
$
900
2 Bedroom
$
1,150

Living in
Woodlawn

University of Chicago
Safe
Near Hyde Park
Suburban-Like Feel
Whole Foods
Public Transit
Obama Presidential Center
Up-and-Coming
Woodlawn — 7.1/10 Rating (based on 29 neighborhood reviews)
I thought the neighborhood would be a problem, but I live so close to campus that I can see a blue light from my living room window. If anything, I feel safer here than downtown.

Everywhere I walk there's a police officer or security guard, so it feels fine. The guards are also very friendly.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Private
I think Woodlawn is fantastic. It's a lot less expensive than Hyde Park and Robust Coffee Shop is just down the street from me. Also it is a lot closer to the L than the rest of Hyde Park, which makes getting downtown super easy. There are fewer students, which I guess represents some downside for those trying to get out and meet people, but the neighborhood is quiet. I know people have safety concerns about living south of 61st but I think those are overblown provided you're taking appropriate precautions (for example, not walking home at night with headphones in and a backpack full of electronics).
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University Condominiums
I feel very safe in this neighborhood. As a white, young, female, I am always cautious when I am out - in any neighborhood. In Woodlawn, I also practice awareness, but I feel comfortable walking alone, running alone, using public transit, etc.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6142 S Ellis Ave
Woodlawn is fine as long as you are far north in Woodlawn, close to the start of Hyde Park. I've never had any issues.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
N/A
The neighborhood has less to do than Hyde Park, but I find that it is well enough connected to both Hyde Park and downtown so I never feel like I miss out. It also has the benefit of being much quieter in terms of street traffic and general noise. The blocks will have fewer apartment blocks and more SFH, the streets are less crowded, and parking is much much easier. Plus the farmers' market is fantastic for 9 months of the year.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Dorchester Green Condo Assc.
Hyde Park is a pretty boring neighborhood, but it is close to campus and I'm too lazy to live somewhere else and commute. There are limited grocery store options, though Whole Foods should open soon. PeaPod delivers groceries, Binny's delivers alcohol, and Amazon brings me everything else I need, so the lack of easy shopping isn't too much of an issue. There are a few decent food options, but nothing spectacular. The neighborhood is generally pretty safe, though as a UofC student you'll get an email every time anyone is mugged, which makes it feel more dangerous than it actually is. The neighborhood has a suburban feel more than a city feel, with lots of large houses with lawns and many streets that are super quiet and empty at night.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6054 S Ingleside
They're building a supermarket down the street, so it won't be a food desert anymore. But I had my external spare tire stolen from my car, so it's not the safest.
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Reviewed by
4
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1125 E 61st St
Quiet and residential. My street has two senior homes. Close to robust coffee and law school.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6225 S Kenwood
Because the apartment is right across the street from the law school the immediate vicinity is pretty safe. I wouldn’t venture too far into Woodlawn at night, though.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
N/A
Very convenient for access to the law school. There are reasonable amenities around. Not a bad place to stay, but perhaps not the best either.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6120 S Ellis Ave
Woodlawn is the new Hyde Park!
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1113 E 61st St
Close to the Law School, Jewel Osco, etc.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1155 E 61st St
Not a lot to do around here but it's an okay neighborhood.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1133 E 61st St
Not much in Woodlawn, but you're near Hyde Park
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Plaisance Apartments
Close to campus, no nearby grocery stores
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6103 S Kimbark Ave #3W
Super cheap! Ample parking. Easy to negotiate or bargain with landlord. Campus and cafeteria is walking distance. The area is transitioning, so there's a lot of construction on my block. Living in the area does require you to exercise common sense. Grocery store is far away, but whole foods delivers for free, so it doesn't really matter.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6132 S Ingleside
Obviously Hyde Park is close to campus, which is the biggest plus. It is campus. Security staff stands on corners at night keeping an eye on everything, and compared to my hometown, I feel safer here. It is frustrating that the grocery stores are not cheap (I use Instacart to have things delivered from Costco or Jewel), and I find that a lot of law students want to hang out downtown or in the Loop, which can be costly and burdensome to navigate if that's not already where you were headed.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6022 S Drexel Ave
I haven't gone exploring the neighborhood too much. If I do venture out, I head north toward main campus and Hyde Park proper.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6054 S Ingleside
Coming from Brooklyn, I wanted to find a neighborhood with character. I feel I've found a great comp here.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6142 S. Ellis
Very close to law school (approx. 200m). Located just south of 61st St, in what was traditionally a less safe area. There seems to be a lot of investment coming in now and it's rapidly improving, and UChicago Police regularly patrol around or nearby. More shops are also coming into the area, e.g. the Jewel-Osco at the corner of 61st St and S Cottage Grove Ave. Churches are also getting renovated in the area.

It might not be the most social area, but it's not a bad place to live.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6120 S Ellis Ave, Apt 2N
Technically in Woodlawn, but the very most north part. Not a lot going on in area, but Jewel Osco is driving distance, and you can reach restaurants within 20 minute walk. Getting a bike might help. 2 amazing <10 min walk coffee shops - Build and Robust.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
N/A
A few blocks further south, the neighborhood feels less safe. But this apartment feels very safe because it is across the street from the university (and there is a police officer stationed most evenings). There aren't many nearby bars or restaurants, but the green line is only 10 minutes away.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6106 S University Ave
Not much to do if you are a social person, but excellent in almost everything else.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6022 S Drexel Ave
It is very convenient (5 min walk to school), and pleasant. Safety is a bit of a concern, but we've had no incidents in the 14 months we've lived there.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Woodlawn Commons
Hyde Park is Hyde Park. Not super exciting, but it's where the school is. And there is some sort of cool stuff here these days.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6051-57 S Drexel Ave
great so far
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
University CoWork
It's been really quiet on my street, but I don't go south of 61st.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1155 E 61st St
Right in front of undergrad dorm, so security is tight.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Plaisance Apartments
It's ok - but not tons of food/grocery options.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
6106 South University Avenue


Getting to Know
Woodlawn

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: S Stony Island Ave to S Martin Luther King Dr
North to South Boundaries: E 60th St to E 67th St
dining
Harold’s Chicken Shack
Robust Coffee Lounge
See Thru Chinese Kitchen
Shark’s Fish & Chicken
grocery
Aldi
fitness
Jackson Park Golf Course
Midway Plaisance Ice Rink
South Side YMCA
parks
Garden of the Phoenix
Jackson Park
Midway Plaisance
coffee
Build Coffee
Café Logan
Greenline Coffee
bus
59 (bus)
rail
Green Line (metro)
ME (rail)
About your Neighbors
Data from the 2013 American Community Survey
Zip Codes
Woodlawn includes zip code 60637
Rent vs Own
55
% of Woodlawn residents are renters
Driving to Work
47
% of Woodlawn residents drive to work
New Construction
5
% of housing units in Woodlawn have been built in the last 15 years
Building Types
75
%
<20 units
8
%
20-49 units
18
%
50+ units
Demographics
Children (under 18)
26
%
18 - 34
28
%
35 - 54
24
%
55+
22
%
Unit Mix
6
%
Studio
19
%
1 Bed
33
%
2 Bed
42
%
3+ Bed
Occupation or Education
Working Professional
44
%
Undergrad Student
16
%
Grad Student
5
%
Unemployed
13
%
Retired
20
%

Best Apartments
in Woodlawn

825 E 61st St

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Hyde Lofts
Studio $1,345

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6057 S Drexel

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The Parkways
2 Beds $1,065

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1528 E 59th Street

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6647 S Drexel Ave
2 Beds $1,000

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