What I enjoy most about Hyde Park is the uniqe element of quiet solitude one can experience there at any time.
During my assignment to that neighborhood for beat reporting, I have come to a few realizations:
1) As for the South Side, this neighborhood gets a bit of a weird rap. Awkwardly inhabited both by families who have been living there for many years, and students attending the University of Chicago, it strikes a precarious demographic balance. Locals feel as though the neighborhood has progressed in terms of gentrification and safety, by leaps and bounds. Quite contrastly, many students (mainly female) feel unsafe and threatened by their surroundings, and therefore feel negatively about their college experience. Frequent instances of robberies and attacks keep them on edge. Though not surprisingly, these students hail from mainly suburban towns in the southern US.
For the record, this has not been the Hyde Park I’ve seen. Walking down the streets, it’s hard not to be overcome by the quaint neighborhood charm. Nestle in to the Third World Cafe for a sip on their delicious mild brew coffee and mull over the quiet solitude and separation you feel from the bustle of city life. Slip into Hyde Park Records and chat with Larry, store manager, about his favorite bands and how the store obtained its vinyls (it will surely amaze you).
2) The amount of neighborhood pride locals feel for their home is staggering. Defined predominantly by its former resident, the Obamas, tourism in the community has skyrocketed and local business owners will be the first to tell you that change has already come to Hyde Park. Bookstores are awash with books, magazines, posters emblazoned with Obama’s profile. Pedestrians wander the streets with winter hats and gloves with Obama’s name. CVS’ selling Jones Soda called “Orange You Glad For Change Cola.” Every trip to Hyde Park is an experience, as well as an undoubtable sign of the times.
3) As for local hotspots, a trip to Hyde Park isn’t complete without a visit to Jimmy’s. This bar is frequented mainly by U of C students but is still the best place to grab a cheap beer, and some good conversation with the bartenders. Jimmy himself serves up the cold brews and will chat nostalgically about Hyde Park’s proud history and its fraternity of local business owners. Definitely worth a trip, if only for the nuts.
A short distance off the red line el stop at Garfield, and a quick bus ride on the 55, Hyde Park will certainly fulfill all your expectations for charm, history, and comraderie.
-Ileana
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