Roseland - Chicago, IL

Originally settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1840s, this community remained agrarian until the end of the century, when the town of Pullman grew up between it and Lake Calumet. Skilled tradesmen began to immigrate to work in Pullman, settling in nearby Roseland. The city was annexed into Chicago at the end of the 19th-century and became a cosmopolitan community, hitting a long period of decline in the 1960s when steel mills, the local paint factory and the Pullman company manufacturing railway coaches closed. Roseland still works to recover from this decline.

Find out more about the company that helped Roseland grow at the Pullman State Historic Site to the south, or visit the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum to learn about the civil rights movement. Watch out for numerous annual fundraisers and events in support of local community organizations such as Chicago Youth Centers.

With the restaurant options in this neighborhood relatively spaced out and no key section of the neighborhood for dining and restaurant, you won’t find a “go to” location for dining. On the other hand, your options will range from traditional fast food chains to a few notable locally owned businesses.

Visit Jack’s Wings and Sandwiches for a local sandwich shop that aims to sell something for everyone. Sandwiches range from standard fillings and Mexican or Italian specials to alternative styles such as phillys and gyros. If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich, try the chicken strips and nuggets or a portion of fried chicken or buffalo hot wings. For a quick snack on the go, opt for the chili cheese fries for a messy but oh-so-good comfort food treat.

If you prefer to sit down and enjoy a classic dinner, try the Ranch Steakhouse. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this restaurant specializes in classic breakfast items such as waffles and pancakes and traditional steaks in the evenings. For a tasty lunch, be sure to try the steak sandwich.

South China Kitchen offers a mixture of Mandarin, Szechwan, Thai and Cantonese cuisines. This can be found in two locations, one on S. Halsted Street and the other on South Western Avenue, both open seven days a week. Serving chop suey, chow mein and other classic mainstays, the menu features a wide variety of dishes for any fan of Oriental cuisine. Locals recommend the chicken almond din dinner combination, served with fried rice and an egg roll. If you don’t want to dine at the restaurant, delivery is offered with a $3.00 fee.

While there aren’t any nightlife options in the neighborhood of Roseland, some sit just beyond the borders, such as Licorice Lounge in Chatham or Barney Callaghan's Pub in Beverly, both your standard run-of-the-mill bar. Head to Beverly to find the Beverly Arts Center, the closest live music venue in the area with a variety of community-driven classes.

Living in Rosland, allows you the choice between public transportation and your own car when you want to get around. You’ll find many bus stops located throughout Roseland and especially on the western edge of the neighborhood which abuts one of the primary rail lines with five stops in the neighborhood. Uber operates within the area of Chicago and serves the neighborhood of Roseland. Taxi cabs also operate throughout the area and can be hailed or arranged via calling the cab company.

Residents and visitors find limited public parking with meters within this neighborhood, and a few parking spots outside local businesses. Just over Interstate 57, along another rail line and just outside the borders of the neighborhood, you also come across several parking garages. Roseland has access to Interstates 57 and 94 via on ramps towards the northern portion of the neighborhood, providing easy commutes to the city and beyond. Highway 12 also crosses the neighborhood from east to west.

Little to no biking infrastructure exists in this neighborhood. Cyclists should be aware that there are no specially designated biking lanes, so ride at your own discretion. Pedestrians, on the other hand, will find this neighborhood somewhat walkable, especially towards the center.

Enjoy one of several local parks in this neighborhoods, such as Palmer Park to the south. Over 40 acres, this park packs in plenty to do for all the family, such as a fitness center and gymnasium for exercise and facilities for sports including soccer, baseball, basketball and tennis. Seasonal sports take place in this park, such as cheerleading and gymnastics, along with activities such as arts and crafts. After-school programs take place all year long for the kids and camps during the summer for children and teenagers. Watch out for holiday-themed and annual fun events for all ages.

At the smaller Fernwood Park, find additional sports and exercise facilities such as a swimming pool and a playground for the kids. Abbott Park features similar amenities along with a track for running and seasonal sports for the youngest of visitors, such as bitty basketball and tiny tots tumbling. On the western border, visit Robichaux Park for similar activities, camps and sports facilities, as well as special events including an annual talent showcase. To walk your dog, head north of the neighborhood to Woodlawn and find both the Wagsworth Dog Park and Jackson Bark.

One of the biggest advantages of living in Roseland is that doing so costs in the region of 10 percent less than it would to reside in Chicago proper. You can expect to pay around $4.75 for a one-way ticket from Roseland to the city center, while the median rental cost for a one bedroom apartment comes in at just over $600. A pint of beer in a local pub or restaurant sets you back around $14, while the price per gallon of gasoline sits around 27.5 percent higher than the national average.

Shopping opportunities can be found throughout this neighborhood, including a number of national brands and chain stores, as well as a cluster of smaller boutiques and family owned businesses towards the south on South Michigan Avenue. Locals can drop in to Yoony Gifts & Wigs to find a new hairpiece, stop by Roseland Jewelers for precious gems and metals, or find a new outfit at Nevermind Boutique.

With no shortage of places to pick up groceries, residents visit the Rose Ridge Foods or the Certified Grocery Basket. The Evergreen Park Farmers' Market can be found just to the northeast. Also, a unique urban farm called Growing Home sits to the north - the latter provides jobs to local community members at its farm, and offers its produce at reduced prices.