The Gold Coast

The saying is "start with what you know."  I know where I live, in the Gold Coast, although I don't know it as well as I would like.  The Gold Coast is like an acquaintance that I've had a ton of classes with, but have never actually introduced myself to.  I know we ware highly compatible - the Gold Coast and I - so it's time we got to know each other.

Map

This neighborhood has its reputation - if you live here, you must be one of three people.  Maybe you're the student - lucky, overprivileged, and living off of daddy's heavy monthly allowance.  If not, then perhaps you are a dirty old man living in the unfortunately named "Viagra Triangle," preying on young girls of the first type, wining and dining them (however underage) at Hugo's and Carmine's.  If you are neither of those, then you are surely a thirty-something overachiever who reached the top of his career level in record time, wears suits instead of jeans, and ages at twice the pace of his peers.
True, wealth makes it's home in this neighborhood.  However, there is so much more than this to the Gold Coast.  There are students and yuppies and old men, but they can't all squeeze into three molds.  Their hangouts can't all be stereotypes.  This week, I'll explore the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago.  I'll find people, places, and things akin to a less wealthy crowd.  Think of it as the "poor man's" Gold Coast - a Gold Coast we can all enjoy in a more creative, innovative way.  You can live, breathe, eat, work, and play in the Gold Coast without being the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast is a historic district within the Near North neighborhood of Chicago.  It has no concrete bounds, but it is generally accepted to be between North Avenue, Lakeshore Drive, Oak Street, and Clark Street.
Our good friends at Wikipedia (who can't be trusted in depth, but are good for a bit of general information) provide a brief history of the Gold Coast and it's affluent ancestors here.
Come with me this week for a snapshot of the Gold Coast!