A classic residential Chicago nabe, Auburn Gresham sits on the city’s southwest side, 9 miles from The Loop. Residents here tote a great deal of neighborhood pride, expressed to its fullest at their annual Renaissance Festival each September–Chicagoans from all over come to see the fun. Traditional real estate (bungalows …
A far south side post-industrial nabe with close ties to West Pullman, Riverdale is most well-known for Altgeld Gardens, a 1,500 unit low rise housing project where President Obama was once a community organizer. Almost a city within itself, Altgeld Gardens houses its own schools and medical facilities. Like most …
Though it’s just steps away from The Loop itself, South Loop has managed to maintain a calm generally reserved for the city’s less-central hoods. It’s also the top spot in the city to view gigantic beasts: South Loop is home to famed Shedd Aquarium and The Field Museum (you know, …
A quiet suburban spot on Chicago’s west side, Lawndale just may be a nabe on the verge of change—new developments have been cropping up in the area lately. If modern architecture isn’t your thing, Lawndale’s also filled with Chicago’s bungalows and greystones. Get fresh eats at the local farmer’s market, …
Travel just about as north as you can while staying inside Chicago city limits, and you’ll find yourself in Norwood Park. This residential nabe is composed of many smaller neighborhoods: Big Oaks, Oriole Park, Union Ridge, and Old Norwood Park. One of the most desirable elements of Norwood Park is …
Want to catch a glimpse of Golden Age Chicago thriving in modern times? Streeterville is the place to be. A busy pocket nabe of Near North Side, Streeterville is where Chicago’s most luxurious top dogs lie: the best (and most expensive) homes, hotels, dining, and shopping in the city. Streeterville …
One of the younger Chicago nabes, West Loop is a new city hot spot. Recent warehouse and industrial conversions have welcomed in a plethora of residents and restaurants looking for high ceilings, big windows, and open space. Its proximity to The Loop but relatively quiet mood make this nabe an …
While it is quite residential, East Village’s high population density and abundance of bars makes this nabe feel a bit more urban and gritty than other West Town nabes. East Village’s blocks of cottage-style homes and apartment buildings have become a prime target for real estate developers. With some of …
Located within Edgewater, Andersonville is a northern Chicago nabe—a bit far from The Loop, but still close to the lake. A pillar for close-knit, gentle city living, Andersonville is known for its classic brick homes, most of them built right after 1871’s Great Chicago Fire. Andersonville’s commercial district is particularly …
Before it was ever famous for being Chicago’s choice nabe for the 2016 Olympic bid (they’ll be held in Rio, by the way), Washington Park was still well known for its namesake park, where the Olympic stadium was proposed. Covering a stunning 372 acres, the park was designed in part …
Pristine lawns and quaint brick bungalows line Washington Heights’ streets in Chicago’s far south side. Residents of this strictly residential nabe can get active at Jackie Robinson Park, or indulge in some quality reading at the Chicago Public Library’s Woodson branch—boasting the second largest collection of African American history and …
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Not so long ago, Uptown was merely a cobwebbed reminder of Chicago’s affluent Gilded Age. Walk through Uptown now though, and you’ll see history repairing itself and once again thriving—this nabe’s in the midst of a glowing revival. The famous bars, theaters, and dance clubs that made this nabe
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Remember the Pullman Strike you learned about in middle school? Yeah, that happened here. Pullman got its name from railroad car mogul George Pullman and his Pullman Palace Car Company. This nabe got many of its uniform streets and homes from the mini-city George Pullman created for his workers
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Walk through the Chinatown Gate on Wentworth Avenue and you’ll enter a world independent from the rest of Chicago. The 4th largest of its kind in the U.S., Chinatown has provided Chicagoans with an authentic escape from typical city life for over a century. Its ornate decor (zodiac sculptures
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High-rise dominated New Eastside sits in The Loop's northern sector. Here, offices, hotels, and luxe condos are all centered around magnificent 6 acre Lakeshore East Park–abound with fountains and lush lawns in the center of the city. Amenities within walking distance include shopping on Michigan Avenue, swimming and sunning
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This south side nabe has undergone quite the transition in the past few years. Once suffering from a relatively shoddy past, Woodlawn's undergone a great revival: it's home now to some bustling streets, lovely small parks, and even an award-winning farmers market. The change is due in part to
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Its historic namesake (Civil War General John A. Logan) and a bit of grit give Logan Square a particularly old-world vibe. The nabe is known as one of the more residential spaces in Chicago; you can exercise a true appreciation for housing by taking a tour of its many
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An ideal nabe for citydwellers yearning for the suburban life, super-calm Calumet Heights sits on Chicago’s south side. Its real estate consists mostly of pre-war bungalows—each a bit unique from its neighbor—with some apartments and condos as well. Enjoy ample opportunities for recreation at Owen’s Park (complete with grassy
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Similar to Norridge, Harwood Heights is an independent town fully surrounded by Chicago nabes. The town attempted to annex itself to Chicago in 1947 but was denied by the city, and since then Harwood Heights has steadfastly held onto its identity and town status. However, as much as this
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Due to its large mass and its proximity to popular Chicago suburbs Oak Park and Cicero, Austin often gets treated like a city of its own. This nabe has an “un-suburban” multifarious nature though that makes it truly feel like a part of Chicago. Traveling through Austin, you’ll experience
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Love the Loop but afraid it’s too busy to live in? Shuffle just a few steps south to Chicago’s fastest-growing nabe, Near South Side. This nabe became cool through a change in real estate: it transformed its massive factories into chic, spacious, high-ceilinged apartments and condos–some on the lakefront
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Chicago’s Little Italy sits inside University Village on the Near West Side. A favorite nabe for both tourists and residents alike, this is one of the top spots in Chicago for a merry dose of concentrated culture. While Little Italy's original population is waning, old residents often return to
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Sitting at the top spot for historic nabes, Old Town is resplendent with grand Victorian-era architecture that proudly survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and serpentine streets that escaped the utilitarian grid system. This All-American locale has great general store features—think fudge shops, tobacco stores, and fine ale.
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It took Dunning a while to leave behind its association with an old nineteenth century insane asylum and almshouse, but once it did, Chicagoans realized that this quiet and leafy green nabe was a great place to live. You won't find any Starbucks in Dunning, but the nabe has