Went TO Seattle

Yup. Edgewater is right next to Andersonville which has a HUGE gay population, lesbian and gay. Edgewater can be a little more "urban" than its neighbor Andersonville, but it’s still great and up-and-coming. Lots of new condos being built, lots of new shops, restaurants, etc.There’s still a bit of a sketchy element, but it’s very diverse and one of the best kept secrets in Chicago (according to a local cop). Andersonville is nice but it’s a bit too sterile for me… pottery shops, little pastry coffee shops, boutiques, etc. I do occasionally drink there in a bar called Simon’s, a sort of regular guy, "divey" (I hate that term) place, but they accept anyone.

But as for Edgewater, where I actually live, it’s a good place and becoming more popular. Lots of public transportation options, although parking your car is getting to be a pain. And we’re only a block or so away from a great lakefront and beaches. Edgewaster even has an "unofficial" gay beach on Ardmore where guys hang out. Nothing seamy going on there, it’s just where they congregate.

And to further explain Edgewater’s gay-friendly atmosphere, when they had the Gay Games here in Chicago last year, Edgewater and Andersonville were the official/unofficial headquarters. Both Chambers of Commerce spruced up the areas and put up a lot of "welcome" signs in all of the stores.

Whereas the Boystown Halsted street area is for the single wild gay life, Edgewater and Andersonville is where they go when they "settle down".

Edgewater is a pretty decent area. You may also want to check out Andersonville, which is extremely gay friendly. It’s a little pricer than Edgewater even though it’s just a few blocks west. There are still some parts of Edgewater (mainly around the el) that are still a little rough. The neighborhoods west of Broadway in Edgewater would probably be your best bet. The streets are quiet and there are a lot of nice houses and condos on that side and it’s not as congested.