<p>How close are BB&B , Target, etc to U of C? And are there any Trader Joe's , or other reasonably priced grocery stores within walking distance?</p>
<p>Hahahaha you've touched upon what I think is HP's weak spot-- lack of college-student oriented retail.</p>
<p>There's a Target elsewhere on the South Side, but I think most people go to the Loop (there's a bus that goes there about every hour/half hour during O-Week). Bed Bath and Beyond, I believe, is the same situation.</p>
<p>In terms of grocery shopping, I think the Hyde Park Co-Op on 55th and Lake Park is your best bet. It's about a 10 minute walk from campus, and there's an Office Max and a Walgreens in the same shopping center.</p>
<p>Thanks!...........</p>
<p>Any other "weak spots" incoming students should know about, besides the weather, and the "South side" issues?</p>
<p>The Hyde Park co-op is becoming Hyde Park Produce very soon, so it'll be expanded and have a lot more groceries. It's also right next door to CVS, which has a fairly decent selection of non-perishable food items and frozen foods, etc. </p>
<p>There's an enormous Target on Roosevelt, it takes maybe 25 minutes to get there from campus via the Red Line (Roosevelt is south of the loop so it's only a few stops up). </p>
<p>Bart-mart, on the lower level of Bartlett, is overpriced but still functions as a grocery store/convenience shop. You can get milk, eggs, pasta, bread, all that stuff - it's a good option if you have Flex points and you don't want to walk all the way up to 53rd. I don't know what Capone's (in the Shoreland) has. </p>
<p>I can't think of any "weak spots" off the top of my head, besides transport issues (and that's a CTA thing which means it will never improve, ever). The 55 is slow at night and that can make for a fun wait at the bus stop at the Red Line, especially if you're alone and it's after dark and you're a mile west of campus. However the 6 bus runs from downtown and will drop you off a block from the Shoreland where you can just catch the shuttles back to campus, so it's not like it's your only option. </p>
<p>I do live in a dorm, so most of my utilities and amenities are taken care of. Also, I don't cook. Third-year I'm planning on living in an apartment, and I'll probably have a whole list of things to complain about then, but right now I don't have any problems with Hyde Park. Plus, the record store is really sweet.</p>