Tourists, neighbors seek peek at Obama

CHICAGO, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Things are bustling around Barack Obama's Chicago home these days as tourists and neighbors try to get a peek at the next U.S. president, officials say.

They rarely see the president-elect, of course, but for some just being in Obama's Kenwood neighborhood means a lot.

Sam Tanaka flew to Chicago from Tokyo and went straight to Obama's South Side neighborhood before his scheduled business meetings. He couldn't get very close to the house because of security, but he got some snapshots and said he felt like "a part of this big moment in American history."

The Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau urges everyone on its Web site to "experience the city the Obamas enjoy" and highlights restaurants and shops they frequent.

Obama's presence in a busy urban neighborhood has caused some changes for people who live nearby, USA Today reports. Some neighbors can no longer drive on their street to work and back and strolling is out of the question.

There are concrete barricades, police cars at intersections and portable metal fences to close streets for motorcades.

Obama's house, which he bought for $1.65 million in 2005, is in the Kenwood neighborhood, near Hyde Park where he once taught at the University of Chicago Law School.

There are grand old homes in the area, but also reminders of the challenges Obama will face as president. There is a high crime area about four blocks away.