<p>Responding to Mesaboogie's note that the University of Chicago is "in the ugliest neighborhood" or close to it, and advising to factor that in to any decision. Apart from any aesthetic comments on whether the surrounding UC neighborhood looks ugly or not, let's throw out a few facts that in sum say that the UC neighborhood, Hyde Park-Kenwood, has a lot going for it and any student that might go to the University of Chicago. First, on a consistent basis 75 percent or so of UC's faculty lives (and raises their families) in Hyde Park so the "ugly" isn't in the eyes of these beholders. (No other urban university can make such a claim about the majority of faculty living so close to their University.) Second, Hyde Park is an eclectic neighborhood having everything from 35 story apartment buildings to turn-of-the-century mansions with several acres of well-kept grounds (about one mile north of campus on University Avenue). Those ugly mansions cost over $750,000 to over $1 million apiece. Also, the ugly architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, built a number of homes in Hyde Park (including the nationally known Robie House next to the UC campus). As a personal aside, as a student I liked to walk around all parts of Hyde Park, and I admired one three story brick home in particular that turned out to be a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house. The Museum of Science & Industry, one of the foremost museums of its kind in the world, is in Hyde Park. "The Point", a city park that juts out into Lake Michigan and where one can "commune with nature" in virtual solitude is also in Hyde Park. Yes, Hyde Park/Kenwood is not pretty, but "one of the ugliest neighborhoods", etc. Come on!</p>