semi-suburban

An adjective to describe those areas that are still within Chicago's municipal boundaries, but possess some characteristics that are typically found in the suburbs (especially the inner and "first-ring" suburbs).

Lot sizes are larger, houses contain well-manicured lawns in the front as well as in the back, a good portion of the residents are either city or county workers, there still are numerous public transit options but a majority of the transportation is car-centric, and most buildings are four stories or less.

Some examples include Edison Park, Beverly, Edgebrook, Morgan Park, Mt Greenwood, and Norwood Park.

Bob and his wife want to a buy a bigger house that's still in the city so they're looking in those semi-suburban areas.