Besides its closeness to the Loop in Chicago's downtown, you might be wondering what makes the Near West Side unique. First, the Near West Side's shopping district in South Lawndale known as Little Village is vibrant and booming. It is second only to the Magnificent Mile, a 13-block stretch of Michigan Avenue that hosts dozens of top-notch hotels, stores, and restaurants.

Yet, residents of the area might describe it as relaxed and calm compared to other parts of the city. Not that there is not plenty to do for community members and visitors. The Garfield Park Conservatory is home to one of Illinois's most extensive botanical gardens. The West Side is also culturally diverse. Over a million people yearly gather at Humboldt Park to celebrate Puerto Rican People's Parade. Black Americans can visit the old haunts of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior when he lived in North Lawndale in the 1960s, leading marches into Marquette Park and Cicero.

Recent initiatives inspire hope that the Near West Side will become an even more exciting place to live. Local and national organizations have partnered to improve the wellness of seniors and other high-risk residents of this iconic location. Small business grants make it possible for entrepreneurs to create a new start.