Chicago Magazine Names 20 Great Towns and Neighborhoods

CHICAGO, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Ranging from the pulsing center of a city with super-tall high-rises to a tranquil little village with its sepia-toned charm still intact, Chicago's neighborhoods and suburbs encompass a huge diversity of lifestyles. Within this range, dozens of places have special, unique qualities treasured by their residents.

The April issue of Chicago magazine, which hits newsstands Thursday, celebrates 20 places that stand out from the rest. The picks include affluent areas filled with picturesque dream homes and more modestly priced places that are just as long on charm. To select the top 20, Chicago looked at house prices, transportation, education, shopping, and dining.

"One of the Chicago area's greatest strengths is its variety of charming towns and neighborhoods," says Richard Babcock, the editor of Chicago. "In this issue, we've chosen to highlight 20 that really deliver warm and vibrant communities."

This month's issue also features Chicago's Playlist, highlighting the 40 best albums ever by Chicago artists. Chicago sifted through thousands of full-length albums to choose 40 that were influential, successful, or musically accomplished, or that effectively captured a time and place. Top 40 lists will be featured in Chicago each month leading up to the magazine's 40th anniversary issue in December.

Elsewhere in the April issue of Chicago:

• Politics: In one of the strangest primary elections in recent memory, Scott Lee Cohen's saga stands out as the strangest. And he's got a lot to say about it.
• Awards: Meet the 2010 Green Awards class of honorees: five eco-minded innovators who aren't afraid to shake up the system.

About Chicago magazine

Chicago magazine is the largest monthly city magazine in the country, with a circulation of more than 155,000. In addition, the company publishes several other titles, including Chicago Home+Garden and Chicago FASHION magazines. Chicago magazine has been honored with many awards, including, in 2004, the most prestigious -- the Ellie award for General Excellence in its circulation category, bestowed by the American Society of Magazine Editors.

About Chicago Tribune Media Group

Chicago Tribune Media Group publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune as well as related print and interactive media serving Chicagoland like RedEye, Hoy, Triblocal, TheMash, chicagotribune.com, triblocal.com and metromix.com.

SOURCE Chicago Tribune Media Group