Chicago's Gold Coast named HGTV's top 10 'dreamy' neighborhood in the U.S.

January 27, 11:50 AMChicago Neighborhood ExaminerDana Kavan

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Gold Coast mansions equal dreamy?/Courtesy of Wiki Commons

When was the last time you heard something described as "dreamy"? When you most recently tuned in to Nick at Night and caught an episode of "Leave it to Beaver"? A studly man in the 1950s could perhaps be accurately classified as "dreamy," but a neighborhood? I'm not so sure. I've long lamented the bestowing of arbitrary titles on the city of Chicago and its neighborhoods, but this latest accolade seems especially dubious. Nevertheless, the Gold Coast 'hood recently landed on a list of the Top 10 'Dreamy' Neighborhoods in the U.S.

HGTV compiled the list in honor of its 13th Dream Home Giveaway, and online sweepstakes with a grand prize of a multi-million-dollar home in Sonoma, CA. The wine country-located city (ahem, can it really be considered a neighborhood?) earned the top spot on the 'dreamy' list, while Gold Coast filled the third spot. For the contest, HGTV "explores 10 of the dreamiest places to live in the United States. Whether it's lush acreage, majestic views or exclusivity that you crave, each of these neighborhoods offers all that and more. Perhaps that's why they're in high demand, with buyers willing to pay millions to call them home." Here's why Gold Coast made the top 10:

Old money and stunning lake views characterize this hot neighborhood that runs contrary to the Chicago phrase, "cooler by the lake." Oprah lives on the border of this high-priced community, where homebuyers can pay millions for a two-bedroom condo. The neighborhood offers world-class shopping, dining and entertainment as well convenient proximity to the lake and business district.

Um, Oprah lives in the Water Tower on the Mag Mile (considered its own neighborhood), and everyone know she spends most of her time in California anyway. I'd personally take the restaurants in Lincoln Square, Andersonville or Albany Park over the pricey eateries in the Gold Coast-adjacent Viagra Triangle any day. And in this economy, who can afford posh boutiques like Armani and Jimmy Choo? It definitely deserves props for its proximity to Oak Street Beach and Michigan Avenue, though.

Other neighborhoods on the list include Denver's LoDo, Atlanta's Buckhead and Coral Gables, FL. View the entire list here, and let me know which Chicago neighborhood you think is the dreamiest in the 'comments' section below.