Chicago Insider: Lincoln Park Urbanologist Max Grinnell

Max Grinnell is a writer, teacher, researcher and general man-about-town -- hence his job as an urbanologist. He tells us why Chicago's Lincoln Park, with its mix of people, interesting buildings and free zoo, is where he makes his home. And yes, it does involve a restaurant Sinatra frequented. Lovers of Elks temples read on.

Name, Age, Occupation: Max Grinnell, 34, Urbanologist [or sociologist who studies cities and urban life].

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, Chicago.

Abode: One-bedroom apartment.

How long have you lived in Lincoln Park? Five years.

What do you love most about your neighborhood?
Walkability. You have a unique mix on Fullerton Parkway of late 19th-century mansions and a mix of people, many of them post-college, who have been drawn into Chicago. I like dense, urban neighborhoods. You also have some of Chicago's movers and shakers, of which I am not one. It's also close to the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is one of the last free zoos in the U.S. The other thing that is neat about it is access to Downtown Chicago, but it's a little bit quieter than living downtown.