Around our neighborhood

I love our Chicago neighborhood! It is old, diverse, historic, and charming. I just love going for walks in the neighborhood, and I never tire of looking at all the different buildings. There is always something fun to see or new to notice. I want to remember some of the details, so that's why I'm posting these pictures.

Hyde Park has lots of these three story walk up buildings. We used to live in one and I loved it. Many are nearly 100 years old, and they almost always have wood floors and crown molding. Many of them have been refurbished and made more comfortable. It's just no fun if you live on the 3rd floor.

These are some of my favorite houses in Hyde Park. They look like doll houses to me (they look even better in person). Whenever Josh and I walk by them we discuss which one(s) are our favorites. I wouldn't mind living in one of these at all! Too bad they probably cost a fortune.

I think these would be considered row houses, where each house touches the neighboring one. They have stairs leading up to the front door, and I think they're pretty cute.

There are several new buildings in the neighborhood, and they're really nice. If we were to live in Chicago longer term, I think it would be fun to live in a new condo.

I can't forget about all the alleys. Lots of alleys between all of the buildings.

I just thought these icicles were cool.

Kenwood is a neighborhood that borders Hyde Park, notable for all its huge mansions!! I love driving around this neighborhood. Notable people who have lived here: Muhammad Ali, Louis Farrakhan, Leopold and Loeb, and Barack Obama.

Hyde Park is quite diverse racially, ethnically, and religiously. This is a prominent Jewish synagogue in the neighborhood. It's also right across the street from Barack Obama's old house.

I don't think I've ever mentioned on my blog that I live in what is now President Obama's old neighborhood. His old house is just a few blocks from where we live now. We were in Ecuador during the election, but I heard it was pretty crazy around here during that time! Everyone knows he's taken up residence at a big White House in DC nearly a year ago, but you'd think he still lives here by the security still around! The street and sidewalks surrounding the house are all blocked off, and there is an unmarked security car parked out front 24 hours a day. I just feel bad for all the people who live on that street who have to deal with the security regularly.

This picture gives a clearer view of his house, it's the building on the left.

Another thing I love about Hyde Park is that we're close enough to downtown to get there quickly and pretty easily, yet far enough away that it's somewhat quiet and less crowded. It's also less busy than other popular neighborhoods north of downtown. Here's the view from the top floor of our apartment building. How I would have LOVED to have this view from our apartment! Oh well. I surely will miss seeing the Chicago skyline when we leave Chicago.