Quote:
Originally Posted by peersteve
FYI: As with most American cities, the NORTH of downtown/center city is the more affluent and caucasian area.

What's the significance of this, particularly to a tourist?, asks BigMo.....
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Fair question, since it's not meant to be discriminatory......and seems out of context....... but was meant as a hint as to why in most guidebooks so many of the suggested sights and neighborhoods are to the north of the Loop.

One explanation of why the Northern area of a city tends to be where affluent people live goes back to the years when affluent people moved out from the city core ---those with money would move to higher ground, and in many midwestern cities, that's to the north.....such as in Indianapolis, Detroit, etc.

I apologize for any over-generalizations or insensitive comments in my hasty replies......I'm sensitive to Chicago socioeconomics as I gew up in Gary, Indiana and southern suburbs.....but went to school north of city.....when school sports team played at schools on south side, I was the only one on the team bus who could help the bus driver navigate the Dan Ryan expressway or Lake Shore Drive south of McCormick Place!