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This northwest Chicago neighborhood was originally an innovative, starving artist community.  Over time, Bucktown has begun to appeal to more young professionals.  The area is primarily residential, with a mix of older single-family homes, new builds with edgy architecture, and converted industrial loft spaces.  Refurbished condiminum units are popping up throughout the neighborhood.  The changing nature of the area has lead to a variety of chic and bohemian stores, art galaries, night clubs, and eclectic retaurants.  Bucktown and Wicker Park make up what has been deemed the “hipster” neighborhoods of Chicago.  Bucktown gets its name from the large number of goats raised in the neighborhood during the 19th century, as a male goat is called a buck.

Similar to Bucktown, Wicker Park used to be considered a playground for the counter culture of bohemian artists and musicians in the city.  More recently, the area has transformed to include unique shops, restaurants, and clubs, all with the same hip, funky, SoHo-like image.   The art influence is still present with a number of studios and galleries, although professionals and families have more recently infiltrated the area.  The historic Wicker Park is surrounded by three-flats and mansions dating back to the 1800’s, including Beer Baron Row (mansions built by Chicago’s wealthy brewers after the Chicago fire). 

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Located on the far North side of the city, Edgewater is a lakefront neighborhood offering numerous high-rise apartment buildings, condominium complexes, and large, rehabbed homes.  It is Chicago’s most densely populated area and housing prices are moderate.  The mix of cultures here provides an interesting array of residents in the area.  While in the past the area was made up of moestly senior citizens, Edgewater has become a popular living area for students because of its close proximity to Loyola University and also for new families.  Small business development has thrived recently, increasing investment potential.   

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Home to Northwestern University, Evanston has a variety of excellent higher educational opportunities, as well as a successful public school system.

Evanston has a wide variety of activities to enjoy year round. From beaches to our sports programs, from theatre to arts and everywhere in between, you are sure to find something to enjoy in Evanston.

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As the second wealthiest urban neighborhood in the United States, the Gold Coast is the quintessential place to live for the most affluent residents of Chicago.  Along with upscale shopping and dining on Michigan Avenue come popular attractions including Navy Pier, the John Hancock Building, and the old Water Tower.  Residences in the area are primarily modern, high-rise luxury apartments and condominiums (especially on the lakefront), although all types of living are available including cooperatives, town homes, and brownstone and greystone single-family homes.  Buildings on Lake Shore Drive offer an unobstructed, panoramic view of Lake Michigan with Oak Street Beach only a few steps away.  Most of the people living in the Gold Coast are well-established business professionals.  Added convenience is in the neighborhood’s close proximity to the Loop. 

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Located seven miles South of the Loop, Hyde Park is extremely diverse.  It is a well-known region of the city for numerous reasons.  In 1893, Hyde Park hosted the World’s Fair and not long after in 1910, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House was built here.  Famous Hyde Park residents have included Julius Rosenwald, Muhammad Ali, Marshall Field, Mayor Harold Washington, Senator Barack Obama, and Louis Farakhan. It is also home to two key landmarks of Chicago: the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry.  Hyde Park has a variety of homes, appealing to all ages of people, from students to professionals.  It has a reputation for being safe, established, diverse, lively, and well groomed.

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Lakeview is a young, North-side community area that has flourished as one of the most preferred neighborhoods to live in.  The housing in the area includes a mix of modern condominium buildings, single-unit apartments, condos, and older townhomes.  Housing is more expensive in this area because the neighborhood has so much to offer its residents.  Lakeview boasts a safe community with an abundance of leisure and recreational activities community.  Lakefront activities including fishing and sailing are easily accessible for residents, as well as lakeshore activities such as biking, running, skating, and walking.  Also nearby is Waveland Golf Course in Lincoln Park.  A variety of shops and restaurants of all types sit along the tree-lined streets, including both chains and independent businesses.  Culturally, Lakeview includes theaters, galleries, movie theaters, and music venues.

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Far enough North of the Loop but still maintaining its urban groove, Lincoln Park is one of the most sought after neighborhoods to live in.  It is known as one of the oldest communities in Chicago and the neighborhood still retains much of its original charm.  Narrow, tree-lined residential streets and beautifully restored homes make the picturesque area especially appealing.  Most of the residential buildings are brownstones or graystones that are three to four stories high and one to two units wide.  There are also a number of large, single-family homes that have been restored to their original splendor.  Residents are primarily college students, young urban professionals, and new families.  In this hip neighborhood you will find international dining, all types of bars, clubs, boutique and conventional shopping, art galleries, and theaters.  This area’s biggest asset is Lincoln Park itself. The 1200-acre park has playing fields, bike paths, picnic areas, beach access, a public golf course and driving range, an outdoor theatre, a rowing canal, Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Planetarium, and the child-friendly Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

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The Loop is literally the downtown area of Chicago.  The term Loop applies to the section of the community area surrounded by the circuit formed by Chicago's elevated "L" trains.  It is filled with skyscrapers, monstly being office buildings, but a few residential buildings.  For the true urbanite it is the best place in the city to live.  Housing is almost entirely high-rise apartment/condo complexes with extremely high, competitive pricing.

The center of the grid system in the city (0,0) is located here at the intersection of Madison and State.  State Street, a key street in the city, runs through the middle of the Loop North and South.  The North part of the Loop on State Street is considered the theatre district, which includes the famous Chicago Theatre and the Oriential Theatre.  Central Loop on State Street you will find a growing array of shopping that may soon rival the Magnificent Mile.  Marshall Fields and Carson Pirie Scott have there flagship stores here.  South State Street in the Loop is the center of education downtown, including DePaul University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College, and Roosevelt University.

On the West side of the Loop you will find the Sears Tower, which resides the heart of the city’s financial district.   The East side of the Loop borders Lake Michigan and is almost exclusively Grant Park, which is home to the Petrillo Bandshell, the Grant Park Symphony, and Chicago's annual two-week food fest, the Taste of Chicago.  Within Grant Park lies the architecturally forward Millinuem Park, completed in 2004.    Museums in the Loop include the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Shedd Aquarium.

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Near South, including the South Loop, is an area of Chicago that is quickly increasing in popularity for both residences and businesses.  It is an up-and-coming location with large potential for growth. 

South Michigan Ave., Dearborn Park, and Printer’s Row all make up South Loop.  The South Loop Planning Commission is quickly trying to develop the area with more housing, shops, and restaurants.  Many new developments are underway in this area and a presents a strong opportunity for buyers.  Existing warehouses have been transformed into trendy apartments and lofts.  The majority of residents are young professionals, although there are some students and families.  The South Loop is also characterized by its artist population, which have brought production studios and art galleries.  Besides the Loop attractions being nearby, entertainment in the area includes the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Soldier Field. 

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On the far South side of Chicago up against the Indiana border, this community area was once known for its steel mills.  Dedicated community groups such as the East Side Pride and the Homeowners Association have helped keep the neighborhood stable and up-to-date even after the closing of the mills.  Housing includes Cape Cods, bungalows, and ranches.  Bigger and newer single-family homes are found on the Northern half.  

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History and tradition are the central themes of Old Town.  The neighborhood is a middle ground between the young professionals of Near North and the established wealth of the Gold Coast.  Tree-lined streets serve as a perfect platform for the historic architecture, mostly Victoria-era buildings, in this upscale residential metropolitan community.  Among friendly and comfortable neighborhood restaurants and bars are renovated Victorian frame cottages, brownstones and Queen Anne style homes.  Old Town is home to St. Michael’s Church, one of the few buildings to survive the great Chicago Fire.  An old saying is, “If you can hear the bells of St.Michaels, then you are in Old Town.”  Live entertainment is an appealing feature, with the Steppenwolf Theatre on Halstead and Second City, the famous improvisational comedy stage, on Wells.

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Ravenswood is a neighborhood encompassing Lincoln Square along with a portion of the Uptown community area.  It is a family area with a strong sense of community.  Wells Park is a 15-acre garden area within the neighborhood that hosts the Old Town School of Folk Music’s annual summer Folk & Roots Festival. 

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Rogers Park is the Northern-most community area of Chicago, and just South of the City of Evanston.  It is a truly international neighborhood, with a robust mix of ethnic backgrounds, languages, age diversity, and a wide range of family incomes.  Also, the area is filled with shops and delicacies from around the world and a very active arts community. Since this area is located between Northwestern University and Loyola University, it is home to many students, artists and activists with 60’s flair. In the summer months residents enjoy Loyola Park and the eight beaches that lie along Lake Michigan. East Rogers Park has low-rise courtyard buildings, 2-4 flats, and single-family homes. West Rogers Park is predominantly single-family homes.  Classic architecture includes large Victorians, bungalows, and large courtyard style. 

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Within the North Center area lies the more serene Roscoe Village.  Working couples and new families are all drawn to this area because of its tree-lined streets, independent stores, affordable housing, close proximity to downtown and the lakefront, and accessibility to public transportation.  Above all, it is less crowded than Lincoln Park and Lakeview, giving it a small-town feel.  Homes have undergone recent redevelopment and most are post World War II bungalows or two-family flats, but the area is seeing more retail and condominium renovations.  Attractions include Antique Row, which is the largest concentration of antique stores in the midwest.  

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South Michigan Ave., Dearborn Park, and Printer’s Row all make up South Loop.  The South Loop Planning Commission is quickly trying to develop the area with more housing, shops, and restaurants.  Many new developments are underway in this area and a presents a strong opportunity for buyers.  Existing warehouses have been transformed into trendy apartments and lofts.  The majority of residents are young professionals, although there are some students and families.  The South Loop is also characterized by its artist population, which have brought production studios and art galleries.  Besides the Loop attractions being nearby, entertainment in the area includes the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Soldier Field. 

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Some of Chicago's tallest skyscrapers (including John Hancock Center), most expensive stores, most luxurious hotels, most elegant restaurants, and most entertaining theaters are located here. The Magnificent Mile portion of Michigan Avenue is part of Streeterville, as is the number one tourist attraction in Chicago, Navy Pier.  Living in Streeterville is refined urban luxary at its best.  Very similar to the Gold Coast, Streeterville includes high-rise properties that are luxary level, featuring upscale ammenities and accomodations. 

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Uptown was originally built as a luxury lakeside summer resort in the 1890s.  It became a hot spot in 1915 when Charlie Chaplain shot his first film at a neighborhood studio.  Today, Uptown is an extremely ethically diverse neighborhood.  The historical, cultural, and commercial center of Uptown is Broadway. The Aragon Ballroom, Riviera Theater, Uptown Theater, and Green Mill are all located within a half block of Lawrence and Broadway.  Along Argyle Street you will find bakeries, restaurants and import stores.  Another highlight of Uptown is the Green Mill Jazz Club, where many of jazz’s past and present legends have preformed and where Al Capone used to hangout.

Housing in Uptown is also diverse, ranging from mansions along Lake Michigan to moderately priced apartment buildings. There are many single-family homes and lakefront condominiums.  More recently residential buildings have recently been completed, along with 3-flat buildings that were renovated into affordable condominiums.

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The hidden gem of the West Loop has been discovered and is quickly being developed.  Major construction on new developments is present on virtually every block.  What was formally an industrial area has turned into a desireable residential neighborhood.  Developers haved worked with the old warehouses and buildings to refurbish them into unique apartments and condos.