Just got done with an overnight stay at David's place, and I gotta say that I had a really fun time. I met some wonderful people, met some goats and chickens, did some yoga. It was great to see someone operating a small farm in the middle of the city, and from what I can see, people around there love it.
If you stay here, remember that it does have a bunch of animals and a garden, and in the back of the property it will smell a bit like a farm. It can get a little cluttered in the kitchen and the back entry, but my room, the bathroom, and the rest of the place was very clean - more than I had expected. The neighborhood is a tree-lined collection of large older homes, some of them quite unique and extravagant, and many recently refurbished. I arrived via train and bus, and though the neighborhood borders on the east side with a slightly run-down urban housing, the neighborhood itself feels quite safe with friendly people out and about. To the north and west it's quite nice, and I walked to a sandwich shop for a quick bite after the yoga class.
So if you're in Chicago and you're not in the mood for all-night partying at the clubs, try something different, and get to know the goats and the family who cares for them... and when it's available, do the yoga thing. I did it, and it made me want to do yoga again. Thank you David, Carolyn, Ali, and the goats. The chickens were just a little less friendly, but what do you expect - they're chickens.