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Welcome To South Shore

Historic parks and extensive beaches meet down-to-earth, affordable living in this beautiful south side Chicago neighborhood. South Shore is a sprawling community that encompasses expansive public recreation space and ambitious civic organizations. The neighborhood cultural center acts as a hub for outdoor amusement with lengthy walking trails, a bird sanctuary, all-ages sports programs, and waterfront grounds that offer breathtaking views of downtown Chicago. When night falls in the summer, movies and live music take place at the center, bringing neighbors and families together. A healthy retail corridor along 71st Street gives the area a cosmopolitan touch and the selection of down-home cooking available at the restaurants in South Shore is enough to satisfy any comfort food craving.  

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South Shore Home Sales Statistics


South Shore Facts

Location: Approximately 10 miles south of the Loop
Boundaries: Lake Michigan to the east, 67th Street to the north, 79th Street to the south and Stoney Island Avenue to the west.
Bordering Neighborhoods: South Chicago, Woodlawn, Grand Crossing, Jackson Park Highlands, Avalon Park
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap for crime stats on specific Chicago neighborhood, intersection, address or police beat.
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Then and Now

The history of Chicago's South Shore neighborhood is a story of immigration, migration and urban change. The neighborhood is located in the heart of Chicago's south side, which was a central location to many African American artists, writers and musicians from gospel great Tommy Dorsey to poet Gwendolyn Brooks. In the 1850s, South Shore was far from the center of things in Chicago, and was really just a mass of swampland. Despite its swampy disposition, steel mill workers began to move into the area, which actually became a collection of settlements with very British names, like Essex and Windsor Park (a Metra station in South Shore neighborhood still bears the name Windsor Park).

The population started to pick up when the railroad came through in the 1870s, and even more so after becoming an official part of Chicago in 1889. Another boost to development occurred after 1893, when the World Columbian Exposition took place in neighboring Jackson Park. All the excitement surrounding Chicago's south side led to the construction of the swank South Shore Country Club, which was built in 1905. However, the posh, upper-crust club excluded African American and Jewish residents.

Irish, German, Swedish and Jewish immigrants from Europe flooded to the area in the 1920s and the population surged to almost 80,000. At that time South Shore was a diverse place with a variety of churches and synagogues. Then, in the 1950s, a new migration -- this time from the south -- took place. Trying to escape the oppression of life in the southern states, large numbers of African Americans started coming to the northern city of Chicago in search of a better life.

The South Shore Country Club went out of business in the 1970s, but the change was cause for celebration because the Chicago Park District bought the stunning 65-acre property in 1974 and converted it into the South Shore Cultural Center, making the beautiful space available to all.

Today, the South Shore neighborhood offers residents wonderful lakefront facilities and extensive community programming, though commercial areas leave much to be desired as there are a limited number of shops or restaurants. Still, it's an affordable south side Chicago neighborhood that is home to many of the city's inhabitants.
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Parks

It may be tough to choose between the two beautiful beaches in South Shore neighborhood -- one flanked by a historic Mediterranean Revival former country club, the other boasting a new indoor gym and breathtaking views of Chicago's skyline, but that's the kind of problem we don't mind!

The South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. South Shore Dr., 773-256-0149) is located in a 65-acre lakefront park, which offers an expansive beach, lengthy walking trails, a magnificent bird sanctuary, and fitness classes to suit both children and adults. This lovely outdoor retreat is often referred to as the "gem of the South Side." Perhaps it's poetic justice that the South Shore Cultural Center -- which opened its doors in 1905 as an elite country club -- is now a public park that welcomes all to enjoy the fantastic lake views and shoreline activities. And enjoy it we do! With a gorgeous front colonnade and ornate entry gate, we feel like we're stepping into a regal past; only better and more egalitarian.

Golf enthusiasts will love the fabulous nine-hole golf course on the park grounds, sporting incredible vistas of Lake Michigan and a serene setting to really concentrate on perfecting that swing. And, though not technically in the South Shore neighborhood, nearby Jackson Park offers a well manicured 18-hole golf course -- in case you feel like playing a more extensive game, while still enjoying the scenic waterfront locale.

Speaking of water, Rainbow Beach (3111 E. 77th St., 312-745-1479) is the neighborhood's answer to some major fun in the sun and surf. A wide sand beach allows residents and other local Chicagoans to roll out the towels and soak up some rays. While laying and playing on the beach is an entertaining and time-honored summer pastime, Rainbow Beach has a few other activities to satisfy the more active types. Lace up your sneakers and take your pick of two walking/jogging paths (one is three-fourths of a mile and the other is 1.5 miles). Rainbow Beach also has a gym, fitness center, softball field, basketball, and tennis courts, offering South Shore residents excellent exercise facilities and the best in outside recreation.

For those not willing to splash into the cold waters of Lake Michigan, you can enjoy the heated indoor swimming pool at the Don Nash Community Center (1833 E. 71st St., 773-256-0904), a former YMCA facility remodeled by the Park District.
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Real Estate

South Shore neighborhood offers Chicagoans an attractive and affordable mix of housing options. Recent years have seen a mini-boom in residential development down here with many new constructions going up as we speak. The most expensive housing (but still reasonable, compared with similar property to the north) is for lake lovers, who can opt for a new condo minutes from the beach and South Shore Drive. Many of these come with luxury trimmings like granite countertops, hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances.

Families may favor the single-family homes, which have front lawns and small backyards. The majority of detached houses in the South Shore are found on tree-lined streets, intermingled with solid three- and four-story redbrick buildings with rental and condo units. Some residential high-rises vintage condominiums with ornate exterior stonework dot the neighborhood along South Shore Drive, affording breath-taking views of the water and the city skyline. The atmosphere here is laid back and neighborly. Residents enjoy front patios where they can sit and chat with neighbors, while children ride bikes on the sidewalks, though not all streets are well tended.

The average price for a three-bedroom single-family detached home in South Shore is around $178,000, and a four- or five-bedroom place costs about $250,000, on average. There are also homes that are valued at over a million dollars, but detached single-family homes can still be found for less than $100,000.

In terms of attached housing, one-bedroom condo units or apartments sell for an average price of $93,000, but there are places available for as low as $60,000. The average sales price for a two-bedroom unit in the South Shore neighborhood is about $139,000.

What's on the Menu?

Though there is not an abundance of high-end fine dining restaurants in South Shore, there is a wide variety of restaurants in the area that will satisfy most of your needs.

On our way to work, we like to get our espresso at Exchange Cafe (7201 S Exchange Ave, 773-336-8592), though it is hard to resist the pull of mega-coffee mogul Starbucks (7101 S Stoney Island Ave, 773-643-6520), especially after you get a taste for one of their mocha frappuccinos. When we need a more substantial morning boost, we head over to 5 Loaves Eatery (2343 E 71st St, 773-363-0393), a lovely little cafe that is perfect for breakfast. This is also the South Shore staple for Po'boy sandwiches which, for the uninitiated, means subs made on "real" French bread -- crusty exterior and soft airy interior, though we don't promise it's as authentic as Louisiana French bread -- you'll have to go a little further south for that! There is another place you could try for breakfast, if "Legs n Eggs" takes your fancy. What on earth do we mean by this? The cooks at Helen's Restaurant (1732 E 79th St, 773-933-9871) can clarify. This simple southern diner offers scrambled eggs with a turkey leg (get it ... Legs n Eggs!) on their morning menu, though we confess this is a little more protein than some of us can handle at the crack of dawn.

Like any Chicago neighborhood, residents of South Shore love their pizza. While there aren't too many pizzerias in the area, South Shore supplies the goods with local favorite Italian Fiesta Pizza (1919 E 71st St, 773-684-2222), a south side tradition since 1951. This is a carryout kind of place, so call in your order on the way home from work or pop out and pick up a pie to accompany your rental movie. Just keep the motor running and zip home with the pizza while it's still hot. Other fast and fattening options include Honey's Fish & Chicken (7114 S Yates Ave, 773-667-6800), which offers fried seafood and chicken. To alleviate any guilt feelings you can order fried okra -- hey it's a vegetable, at least. There are a few chairs on the corner, but we prefer to take out and eat in the car or at home.

If you feel like splurging a bit and want to dine in upscale elegance, try The Parrot Cage (7059 S Shore Dr, 773-602-5333), a restaurant located in the South Shore Cultural Center offering guests magnificent panoramic vistas of Lake Michigan while sampling food with an international flavor and foreign names. Try the falafel crusted sea bass, where the Middle East meets seafood, or the saffron pollo al mattone, for a taste of Tuscany. Deserts are a delight, too, with standards like peach cobbler or, for the more adventurous, watermelon sorbet with kaffir lime float. The restaurant used to be a dance studio and there is a light airy ambiance to complement the gourmet food and extensive wine list. The Parrot Cage chef is the provost of a culinary school, so expect some unusual and refined dishes, which should please your palate and pocketbook (similar fare is pricier in other places).

The South Shore neighborhood has its share of Asian cuisine, too. The one we visit most frequently is House of Bing (6930 S South Shore Dr., 773-363-5400), an unadorned restaurant just across the street from the lake. Unfortunately, the restaurant has no views of the water, but we're here for the eats, right?
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Mark your Calendar

Summer really gets sizzling in South Shore with outdoor events, movies, music and Dad's home cooking.

On Father's Day, get the Dad in your life over to the South Shore Cultural Center for Real Men Cook (7059 S South Shore Dr, 773-256-0149) and let him strut his stuff. Thousands of great home cooks parlay their skills into a raucous family celebration that feeds the soul. Kids get to sample yummy foods, made by Dads, and also enjoy face painting and clowns.

Throughout the summer, we are big fans of Monday Movie Nights at the South Shore Cultural Center and Rainbow Beach -- and judging by the turn out, a lot of fellow neighbors are into the outdoor movie thing too. Bring a blanket, some microwave popcorn (make sure to pop it before you leave the house), and your favorite band of film critics to enjoy family-friendly flicks like Grease and Dreamgirls under the stars with Lake Michigan's breeze cooling the steamy summer air. In July the movies run every Monday, and once a month in August and September.

Keep a lookout for Concerts in the Park; usually some fabulous blues band will descend on either Rainbow Beach or South Shore Cultural Center during the summer. Stay tuned at the Chicago Park District's website for updates on who'll play in the South Shore this year.

From mid-June through late October, fruit and vegetable lovers try to keep Wednesday mornings free to scour the goods at the South Shore Farmers Market (7054 S. Jeffrey Blvd, South Shore Bank parking lot 312-744-3315). After you visit once, you won't be able to resist this fragrant and delectable display of summer's finest produce.
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Getting Around

South Shore is a fairly large neighborhood, but Chicago's outstanding public transit system (the CTA) makes it a cinch to travel around the neighborhood and to other destinations within the city.

Many buses run through the South Shore neighborhood, making it easy to get to the lake for recreation or to the Loop for work. Just hop on the # 71 bus, which runs down 71st Street to the intersection with Exchange. From there it's just a quick walk to the waterfront. The Jeffrey Express #14 and the South Shore Express #26 get us back and forth from the Loop to South Shore, though we prefer to take the Metra Electric Line (Chicago's other commuter train that services the city and suburbs). The Metra transports travelers to the Millennium Park Station in less than a half hour, and the ride is comfortable and pleasant -- especially when you think about the rush hour congestion you're avoiding by taking the train.

Those who cannot part with their cars can take Lakeshore Drive downtown or use the Chicago Skyway (I-90), which is just a few miles west on 75th Street. But we warn you that traffic running north and south is unbearably bad at rush hour -- both in the morning and afternoon (and sometimes most of the day, too). There is a $2.50 fee to use the Skyway, so try to remember to throw your extra change in the car so that you'll be able to breeze through those tolls with exact coinage.

We're not opposed to using our legs once in a while, and hey, we even think it's not too far to walk to the lake. Keep in mind, parking is hard to come by at the South Shore Cultural Center, so if you want to enjoy the beach, start with a brisk walk over.
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School's in Session

Public schools dot the South Shore neighborhood, and families can also find Catholic schools that offer a more religious environment. In addition to the following list, you can find more information on Chicago area schools at our Chicago Guide Schools page

Black Branch Elementary School 7133 S Coles Ave - (773) 535-6394
Bouchet Elementary School 7355 S Jeffery Blvd - (773) 535-0501
Bouchet Middle School 2001 E 73rd St - (773) 535-0501
Bradwell Comm Arts & Science School 7736 S Burnham Ave - (773) 535-6600
Bryn Mawr School 7355 S Jeffery Blvd - (773) 535-0501
O'Keefe Elementary School 6940 S Merrill Ave - (773) 535-0600
Parkside Community Academy 6938 S East End Ave - (773) 535-0940
Powell Elementary School 7530 S South Shore Dr - (773) 535-6650
School of the Arts High School 7529 S Constance Ave - (773) 535-6180
South Shore High School 7529 S Constance Ave - (773) 535-6180
St Philip Neri School 2110 E 72nd St - (773) 288-1138
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Basic Needs

Life isn't all about movies in the park; we know that you need the skinny on where to get everything from baby powder to broccoli, and stamps to sneakers.

Emergency Rooms

Jackson Park Hospital Emergency Room 7531 S Stoney Island Ave - (773) 947-7500

Post Offices

US Post Office 2148 E 71st St - (773) 375-2180; 7436 S Exchange Ave - (773) 375-2180

Libraries

South Shore Public Library 2505 E 73rd St - (312) 747-5281

Transit

Chicago Transit Authority (888) 968 7282

Pharmacies

Meeni Pharmacy 7531 S Stoney Island Ave - (773) 752-7859
Roseblum Drugs 2133 E 71st St - (773) 493-7733
Walgreens 7109 S Jeffery Blvd - (773) 324-1880

Grocery Stores

Crandon Super Market 2238 E 71st St - (773) 288-7631
Dominick's Finer Foods 2101 E 71st St - (773) 955-4775
Moo & Oink 7158 S Stoney Island Ave 773-493-7100
A Natural Harvest 7122 S Jeffery Ave - (773) 363-3939

ENTERTAINMENT

Rainbow Beach 7600 South Shore Dr - (312) 747-0832
South Shore Cultural Center 7059 S South Shore Dr - (773) 256-0149
Don Nash Community Center 1833 E. 71st St. - (773) 256-0904
For more info on all three locations see - http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
South Shore Farmers Market 7054 S Jeffery Blvd - (312) 744-3315

SHOPPING

Ashley Stewart 2101 E 71st St - (773) 643-0715
Athlete's Foot 2044 E 71st St - (773) 684-3300
City Sports 2024 E 71st St - (773) 241-5771
Dubose Clothing Store 2223 E 71st St - (773) 493-2935
Elston Ave Hardware 2101 E 71st St - (773) 955-9600
Foot Locker 2101 E 71st St - (773) 955-5104
Payless Shoe Source 2000 E 71st St - (773) 684-0826
Rainbow 7131 S Jeffery Blvd - (773) 288-3936
Shoetime 2030 E 71st St - (773) 667-9680
Sullivan's Fashions 2524 E 75th St - (773) 731-2122
Women's Choice 2101 E 71st St - (773) 955-1258

DINING

American Cuisine
5 Loaves Eatery 2343 E 71st St - (773) 363-0393
BK's BBQ 2152 E 71st St - (773) 643-4024
Bubba's Famous Steak 2101 E 71st St - (773) 288-7101
Cajun Joe's 2101 E 71st St - (773) 324-4426
Curt's Bar-B-Q 2347 E 75th St - (773) 721-3300
Helen's Restaurant 1732 E 79th St - (773) 933-9871
Honey's Fish & Chicken 7114 S Yates Ave - (773) 667-6800
Leon's Bar B Que, the Original 1640 E 79th St - (773) 731-1454
The Parrot Cage 7059 S Shore Dr - (773) 602-5333

Asian Cuisine
House of Bing, 6930 S South Shore Dr. - (773) 363-5400
New China Beach Grill 2553 E 75th St - (773) 374-9898
Panda Chinese Restaurant 1914 E 79th St - (773) 375-7077

Cafes/Delis
AP Deli Chicago's #1 Corned Beef 2025 E 75th St - (773) 288-4931
Exchange Cafe 7201 S Exchange Ave - (773) 336-8592
Starbucks 7101 S Stoney Island Ave - (773) 643-6520
Super A Submarine 2247 E 71st St - (773) 643-2400

Fast Food
Nina's Fast Food 2406 E 75th St - (773) 734-6810
That's a Burger 2134 E 71st St - (773) 493-2080

Ice Cream
Charlie's Blade & Spade 1952 E 79th St - (773) 768-2307
J & P's Cups & Cones 1246 E 79th St - (773) 374-0265
J Talmak Deli & Ice Cream 7207 S Exchange Ave - (773) 734-1902

Jamaican Cuisine
Three J's Restaurant 1713 E 75th St - (773) 667-1360
Tropical Island Jerk 1922 E 75th St - (773) 978-5375

Pizza
Pizzas by Marchelloni (carryout only) 2110 E 79th St - (773) 731-9553

Nightlife/Bars
Bullock Will 2704 E 75th St - (773) 221-8933
Jeffrey Pub 7041 S Jeffery Blvd - (773) 363-8555
Marie's Tropical Den 7209 S Exchange Ave - (773) 978-2341
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Sometimes it makes more sense to view the city of Chicago as a bunch of separate neighborhoodsespecially when it comes to real estate. Whether you are in the market for a loft, condo, townhome, or house, it is just as important to inspect the surrounding area as it is to inspect the home's foundation. South Shore neighborhood is just one Chicago community with an abundance of residential properties, and a life all its own. From where you send your kids to school to where you dine at night, the information we provide is an essential piece of the puzzle when you're trying to decide whether or not to buy that beautiful loft or adorable house in South Shore.
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