Andersonville Voted 2nd Best Neighborhood In The World: Poll

CHICAGO — North Side neighborhood Andersonville was voted the second-coolest neighborhood in the entire world, according to a Time Out Index survey.

The neighborhood, nestled on the city's Far North Side near Edgewater and Uptown, was ranked No. 2 behind Nørrebro in Copenhagen, Denmark and before third place Jongno 3-ga in Seoul, South Korea.

According to a Time Out spokeswoman, the group polled about 27,000 city dwellers across the globe. Normally, good food, nightlife and art are enough to secure an area a top spot, but this year the poll prioritized different ranking criteria.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Time-Out asked residents how they felt their neighborhoods ranked in terms of community spirit, resiliency and sustainability. City data lists over 21,000 Andersonville residents as of 2020 with a strong showing of primarily families and single women.

"We appreciate the Timeout group recognizing something our neighbors have known for a long time: That Andersonville is the coolest neighborhood in the world," said Harry Osterman, Alderman of the 48th Ward which encompasses Andersonville. "Andersonville is a special, diverse place that is bound together by dynamic businesses and business owners and caring residents that love their neighborhood and look out and support each other."

While lesser known than Boystown for its LGBTQ+ bar scene, Andersonville was lauded for welcoming new bars such as the first queer, women-owned bar Nobody's Darling.

"The district has always been a desirable place to live," Time Out writer Zach Long wrote of Andersonville, "but its proximity to beaches and coastal parks has only made it more appealing during the pandemic."

Andersonville was founded by Swedish immigrants to Chicago and is still home to the highest concentration of Swedish people in the United States. In addition, the area touts some of the most comprehensive recycling and sustainability programs in the city.