3 Chicago Neighborhoods I’d Live In (If I Didn’t Already Love Mine)
I like to consider myself bi-coastal. I have a multi-unit in Avondale that I bought when I was a single city gal, and I have a house in Wilmette that I bought with my fiance. I love the ease of that suburb life (parking! Quiet! A community pool just down the street!), but between my work in the city and my obsession with it (plus my un-willingness to be a full-fledged suburbanite), I split my time between the two.
I LOVE Avondale, and I won’t be leaving it any time soon. The neighborhood is evolving as we speak, with new shops, restaurants and hidden gems opening every day. (My latest obsession: Milli by Metric. I am spoiled having that just up the block.) I also love the diversity, the close-knit community, and the proximity to Logan Square and the highway. And it doesn’t hurt that home values are climbing FAST over there.
That said, I’m OBSESSED with Chicago Real Estate, so I’m always thinking of where else I’d want to live in Chicago. Here are my top 3… for now, at least 😀
River North: The High-Rise Life
I’ve always been drawn to the idea of living in a high-rise in River North. Luxury living with a doorman, a pool, easy access to everything I could possibly want and need, and no need to drive? Sign. me. up. The downsides: elevators (especially with a dog) and the constant feeling that doormen are silently judging my life choices. It’s not right for me right now, but it is a dream that I just can’t quit, so it is only a matter of time before I take the plunge…doorman judgement and all.
Lakeview East: Charming Walk-Ups
Lakeview East has that classic, charming Chicago neighborhood vibe I adore. My first apartment in Chicago was in Lakeview East, so maybe it's nostalgia that keeps calling to me. Or maybe it's the tree-lined streets, beautiful vintage architecture, proximity to the lake and the real sense of community. The downsides: parking is a nightmare, and while the area has its charms, (trigger warning) I don’t think the food scene quite measures up to Logan Square, West Loop, or some of the other West Side neighborhoods. (Don’t @ me!) Still, I’d Doordash my favorite eats if I could eat them in my beautiful vintage condo near the lake.
West Loop: The Cool Loft
I aspire to be a “loft” person in the West Loop. Exposed brick, beautiful art, wide open spaces…. Plus, the West Loop food scene is un-matched, the neighborhood is always buzzing, and let’s be honest, living there just makes you look cool. The catch: everyone else is, like, really, really cool, and I am… not. Especially when I’m doing my early morning and late night walks with the dog, looking like I just rolled out of a dumpster.
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Just writing this post has me daydreaming of where I’ll go next. Thankfully, I get to visit these neighborhoods with my clients every day, so I can get my fix without having to deal with the nightmare that is moving.
