9 Top-Rated, Safest Neighborhoods in Chicago

Finding the top Chicago neighborhoods for families involves balancing safety, affordability, and access to high-quality fun. We’ve done the research for you, because there are so many choices in the windy city.

We looked at schools, dangerous crime and home prices to zoom in on these family-friendly Chicago neighborhoods.  The following offer a harmonious blend of these essential factors, making them safe places to live in Chicago with kids.

We also show you how to findsafe Chicago family-friendly neighborhoods, in case you want to dig deeper.  Let’s explore some of the best Chicago neighborhoods for safe, affordable living plus excellent schools, great restaurants, and plenty of fun activities.

You’ve no doubt seen our Chicago City Guide, which includes a short section on a few of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods (oh, and by way of introduction, we’re for  Bellhop Movers — Chicago movers and movers throughout the country). We can handle long-distance moves in Chicago, as well as last-minute Chicago moves as well.

Chicago Overview

Yes it is windy. Yes it’s known for great like beer, deep-dish style pizza, and early 20^th century architecture. These entertainment opportunities, plus large green parks, spread through the city, can keep any family busy. Glorious beaches and sunsets are available along the Lake Michigan edge to those who bring blankets, and sand pales and buckets.

I have friends who race sailboats on the lake who live and vacation hard and who will not leave. Ever. You don’t often hear that said about other major cities.

Crime

Some folks like to talk about crime in big cities, and Chicago is often named. Despite what the pundits say, homicides are down in the U.S. and in Chicago. and it’s still much less than NYC, ranked per capita.

Rule of Thumb for Finding Safe Neighborhoods in Chicago

If you want a rule of thumb, neighborhoods:

• North of the east-west running West Chicago Avenue and
• Lake-front zones

appear safer with fewer violent crimes shown on the crime map we used. (See our How-To).

Safe Neighborhoods in Chicago for Families

Here are nine great neighborhoods to consider if you’re looking for best places to live in Chicago with kids.

Beverly

(zip code 60643) is known for its historic charm, tree-lined streets, and strong community ties. It offers a suburban feel within the city, making it an attractive option for families.

Schools: The neighborhood is home to top-rated schools like Kellogg Elementary School, Whistler Elementary School, Sutherland Elementary School.

Restaurants: Local favorites like Franconello for Italian and the Open Outcry Brewing Company brewpub rank highly.

Fun Things to Do: Families can enjoy the Ridge Park, which features a pool, fitness center, and an art gallery. The Beverly Arts Center is another highlight, offering art classes and hosting family-friendly events year-round.

Homes: Redfin shows the median selling price of single-familyhomes as $254,000, with newer townhomes at $260,000, condos $190,000.

Edison Park

Located on the far northwest side of Chicago, Edison Park is one of the city’s safest neighborhoods. Niche.com gives it an A rating for families.

Schools: Schools in Edison Park, such as Whitney M. Young Magnet High School and Northside College Preparatory High School are highly regarded.

Restaurants: The dining scene is vibrant, with popular spots like Tavern on the Point, and Cafe Touche French Bistro & Wine Bar serving French and Creole.

Fun Things to Do: Pioneer Park is a local favorite, offering playgrounds and sports facilities. The neighborhood also hosts Edison Park Fest in August, a fun-filled event with entertainment and activities for all ages.

Homes: Redfin shows the median selling price of single-familyhomes as $535,000, with condos $215,600.

Norwood Park

(Zip code 60631). Adjacent to Edison Park, Norwood Park offers a quiet, family-friendly environment with affordable homes. It’s another good choice for Chicago safe neighborhood for families.

Schools: Norwood Park Elementary School, Beard Elementary School and Garvy J Elementary School are standout public schools. (B+ ratings).

Restaurants: Dining in Norwood Park includes local gems like the Harp and Fiddle Irish pub with lots of outdoor seating, Blufish Sushi Bistro, Mo Dailey’s Pub & Grille and the iconic Superdawg Drive-In, known for its legendary hot dogs you can spill all over your lap in your car.

Fun Things to Do: The neighborhood offers plenty of green spaces, with Norwood Park being a standout for its swimming pool, playground, and baseball fields. The Norwood Park Historical Society Museum offers a cultural touch, showcasing the area’s rich history.

Homes: There’s a broad mix of home styles and sizes available. Single family home median price has increased in 2024 to $518,000. Condos are priced at $179,000 on Redfin.

Irving Woods & North Dunning

(Zip code 60634) Just south of Norridge Park is Irving Woods and North Dunning an older community bordering the large greenbelt.

Schools: Ridgewood Community High School and St Patrick High School are top rated, plus Northside College Preparatory High School.

Restaurants: Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana, Blue Fire Restaurant with modern European, Italian and cocktail bar, Real Thai Food and Viet Taste cluster on popular Irving Park Boulevard.

Homes: Redfin shows home median sale price of$380,000 and townhouses of $307,000.

Northwest Side

This is a larger area with multiple zip codes for the Northwest Side of Chicago: 60618, 60625, 60630, 60641, and 60647. It includes neighborhoods such as Logan Square, Avondale, and Albany Park.

Schools: Good schools include Northside College Preparatory High School, and Amundsen High School.

Restaurants:  Try the Warbler in Lincoln Park for pasta and outdoor seating. Honey Butter Fried Chicken in Avondale is very popular fast food.

Fun Things to Do: Big Mini Putt Club for cocktails and fun. Chicago Magic Lounge offers cocktails and wandering magicians doing tricks. For an active night WhirlyBall offers bumper cars and bowling.

Homes: Range in price from $170,000 to well over $1M. (60641). In 60618 median selling price of homes is valued at $400,000, townhouses slightly more.

Mount Greenwood

(Zip code 60655) The township is predominantly White and historically Irish, located in the far Southwest Side of Chicago. The Black population is low (6%), driven in part by historical discrimination. It is part of the Beverly, Morgan Park, and Mount Greenwood neighborhoods.

Schools: The neighborhood is home to top-notch schools like Mount Greenwood Elementary School and Brother Rice High School,

Restaurants: Dining options include the popular Palermo’s 95th for authentic Italian cuisine, Horse Thief Hollow, and Barraco’s Pizza, perfect for a family pizza night.

Fun Things to Do: Mount Greenwood Park is a central hub for families, offering sports facilities, a playground, and a pool. The area also hosts the Mount Greenwood Fest, featuring rides, games, and entertainment for all ages.

Homes: Typically, smaller size bungalows and brick in the 1,000 square foot size. Redfin shows a median home sales price of $335,000 and condos of $179,000.

Garfield Ridge

(Zip codes 60638 and 60632) Located on the southwest side, Garfield Ridge offers affordable housing with a mix of bungalows, ranch-style homes, and apartments. It’s a safe, close-knit community that’s good for families.

Schools: Schools like Kinzie Elementary School and St. Daniel the Prophet School are well-regarded, providing a supportive learning environment.

Restaurants: Lindy’s/Gertie’s is a neighborhood favorite, offering hearty American meals and delicious desserts. Bonefish Grill is another go-to spot fine dining.

Fun Things to Do: Families can enjoy Wentworth Park, which has sports courts, a playground, and a spray pool. The annual Southwest Chicago Irish Parade is a community highlight, bringing everyone together for a fun celebration.

Jefferson Park

Jefferson Park is a diverse, vibrant neighborhood that is both safe and affordable. It offers a variety of housing options, from charming bungalows to modern apartments.

Schools: The area is served by excellent schools like Beaubien Elementary School, Our Lady of Victory, known for their strong academic programs, and Belding Elementary School,

Restaurants: Gale Street Inn, famous for its ribs, and Smak-Tak, in Jefferson Park offering authentic Polish cuisine, are just a couple of the neighborhood’s dining highlights.

Fun Things to Do: Jefferson Park is rich in recreational spaces, including the namesake Jefferson Park, which features a playground, sports fields, and a swimming pool. The Copernicus Center, a cultural hub, hosts concerts, films, and community events, making it a great spot for family outings.

Homes: Redfin shows a median home value of $455,000 and condos at $215,000, noting that values are up strongly from the previous year.

Edgewater

(Zip code 60660) The focus of Edgewater is the lake with the views, fun and recreation all summed up in the word ‘waterfront.’ It’s popular beaches have a definite vibe in the summer as many escape the heat and humidity.

Schools: Augustus H. Burley Elementary School, Saint Andrew School, Evanston Township High School. Check out Lake Shore Schools, Chicago Friends School, and Lycee Francais de Chicago

Restaurants: For more than 20 years, Ethiopian Diamond has been cooking authentic Ethiopian food. Try Sicilan Sfera Sicilian Street Food, or sample Jamaica by way of Aunty Joy’s Jerk & Pizza.

Fun Things to Do: Nearly all involve the water and beaches. Take a day trip to Osterman Beach to enjoy the sandy beachfront and watersport rentals. The Chicago Architecture Center showcases Chicago’s contrbution to 20^th century design.

Homes: Home prices reflect the popularity of the neighborhood with its proximity to the lake. Single family homes are fewer given the high-rise condo development with a median selling price of $1.1M, condos at $260,000 and townhouses at $600,000.

How to Find the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago for Families

5 Steps to Find Great Chicago Family Neighborhoods

1. Heyjackass.com is a non-secure website that compiles violent crime data (assault with a firearm) by neighborhoods in Chicago and shows a map. (If you want to research other crime statistics, view the city searchable webpage.) We then cross-referenced low crime areas (light blue) with
2. the Chicago Neighborhood Map, published by the Chicago Journal to find a more precise neighborhood name. You will have to zoom in and out to find borders and street name for these safe places to live in Chicago. 
3. Look up zip codes for each neighborhood name to dig deep in schools, home prices, and activities.
4. Then use niche.com, yelp.com and general search app lookups for the subjects that interest you.
5. If you are concerned about other forms of crime (larceny/theft, auto), use the city map, or Chicago police publishes an interactive map that records particular crimes by precise street address. Be mindful that neighborhoods with awesome tourist attractions or downtown areas with workers typically record higher assault stats simply because of the greater street activity.

Summing Up

If you are a fan of big-city urban living, you know that everything is bigger, better and some cases worse, no matter if it is New York, LA or Chicago. Chicago offers a solid and comfortable lifestyle devoid of the ego-drive felt in the coastal competitors. People with ‘mid-west’ values are still prized even though the coastal types don’t always understand them. Chicago may be just right for you.

We’ve written this for folks thinking about family-friendly Chicago neighborhoods. We hope it helps. If you are thinking about moving to Chicago or simply a move to any of these affordable safe neighborhoods in Chicago, please consider — Bellhop Movers for your move.

Other Chicago Guides

Moving to Chicago, IL: A Bellhop City Guide

The Best Suburbs in Chicago

The Best Places to Live in Illinois

Is Moving to Illinois Right for You?

The Best Neighborhoods for Families in Chicago

Chicago Schools: What You Should Know