CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS

City Of Chicago
www.chicago.gov

Albany Park
General Boundaries: Foster, Pulaski, and Montrose Avenues; the north branch of the Chicago River
Characterized by widespread revitalization and renovation, Albany Park has been experiencing a renaissance in residential and commercial sectors. Some upgraded condominiums offer attractive features such as central air and hardwood floors. Active local groups like the Albany Park Community Center are continuously working to attract even more developers to the trend of ambitious and widespread renovation. Many single-family homes that are nestled along quiet, tree-shaded streets are very well maintained. A few new commercial buildings and a bustling shopping area grace Lawrence Avenue. Block clubs and community groups have further strengthened this close-knit and cohesive community. The Ravenswood Line rapid transit serves commuters, and CTA buses are also available.

 

Arcadia Terrace, Budlong Woods, Hollywood Park, North Park, Peterson Park/Peterson Woods
General Boundaries: West Rogers Park, Ravenswood, and nature preserve open space
Bisected by the North Shore Channel, a number of serene residential “pocket” neighborhoods are distinguished by well-kept homes on deep lots. Arcadia Terrace is dominated by yellow and red-brick two-flats and Chicago-style bungalows along narrow tree-lined streets, while nearby Peterson Woods offers an upscale enclave by the original developer. North Park is home to many large homes as well as North Park College and Northeastern Illinois University. Hollywood Park is a small pocket park on the southwest corner of Jersey and Peterson avenues, stretching south and west from the park to the border of the North Park neighborhood. Bounded by Peterson, Central Park, Bryn Mawr, and the North Shore Canal, North Park is a quiet district of bungalows and newer single-family homes. Peterson Park is known for its well-kept Georgian homes and the heavily wooded park that adjoins the North Park Village nature preserve. Budlong Woods is an aptly named wooded neighborhood where sprawling brick and stone homes are accented with turrets and Tudor-style wood beams. Several CTA bus routes serve the area.

 

Austin
General Boundaries: Roosevelt Road, North Avenue, Austin Boulevard, and Kenton Avenue
The largest and most heavily populated of Chicago’s neighborhoods, Austin is in the process of revitalization. Some streets are already lined with beautifully restored homes. Neighboring Austin Village is an enclave filled with historic homes. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Austin Historic District is bounded by Waller Avenue, Ohio Street, Austin Boulevard, Corcoran Place, Menard, West End, and Parkside Avenues. This area is attractive to those who are looking for a starter home or a house with distinctive character that is ripe for renovation. Of course, home values are highly dependent upon the care that has been given to the property or recent refurbishing. The O’Hare-Congress-Douglas Line rapid transit trains serve the southern end of Austin, while the CTA’s Lake (Green) Line runs through the center of the neighborhood. CTA bus service is also available on major streets. For added convenience, the Eisenhower Expressway runs through the south end of the neighborhood.

 

Belmont Harbor
General Boundaries: North of the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park
The scenic, protected harbor of Belmont is the base for many of Chicago’s recreational sailors. The parkland surrounding the harbor also offers golf, tennis, jogging trails, and bike paths. Charming older properties have been converted into condominiums, offering both character and space. Some of the vintage apartments in this area feature inlaid wood floors, fireplaces and intricate woodwork, although the majority of Belmont Harbor apartments are newer construction with modern detailing. In addition to its popular lakefront path, Belmont Harbor also features a thriving commercial area with hundreds of retail stores, from antique peddlers and bookshops to furniture stores and floral boutiques.

 

Beverly Hills, Morgan Park
General Boundaries: 87th Street; 119th Street; California, Vincennes, and Beverly Avenues
Once two small towns that grew along the path of the Rock Island Lines, Beverly Hills and Morgan Park neighborhoods are known simply as “Beverly” by area residents. Architecture here encompasses nearly every style built in Chicago from the Victorian era through the 1940s. Queen Anne and Stick Victorian, bungalows, International Style, Prairie, Georgian, Colonial and Tudors are all represented. Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Burley Griffin, George Washington Maher and Murray Hetherington are among those who designed houses in the area. Also in the district are such cultural institutions as the Ridge Historical Society, the Beverly Art Center and the historic Dr. German House. Many parks, swimming pools, forest preserves, private country clubs, a public golf course, an indoor baseball center, and a city bike route are scattered throughout Beverly for diverse recreational opportunities. Metra’s Rock Island Line offers several stations, and CTA buses are available. Major transportation routes include the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) and I-57.

 

Bucktown
General Boundaries: Kennedy Expressway to Western, and North to Fullerton
Newcomers looking for a more affordable alternative to Lincoln Park often find the ideal home in Bucktown. Although this area bloomed in the late ’80s, real estate values continue to rise. Many of the area’s charming cottages, coach houses, and two-and three-flat buildings actually tripled in value in less than a decade. Developers followed the new residents into the neighborhood to refurbish vintage buildings and build new loft condominiums. At the same time, new restaurants, coffeehouses, theaters, art galleries and upscale shops opened, making Bucktown even more attractive to young professionals. The atmosphere and frequent art festivals have drawn more artists to this neighborhood than any other Midwestern address. In addition to CTA buses, residents can ride the O’Hare-Congress-Douglas Line rapid transit trains or drive downtown via the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94).

 

Dearborn Park, Burnham Park, South Loop, Printer’s Row
General Boundaries: Polk, State, 15th, and Clark Streets
Sometimes referred to as “Chicago’s Renaissance Communities,” this collection of neighborhoods encompasses the landmark Auditorium Theatre, the Grant Park Concert Series, several fine museums, Roosevelt University, Columbia College Chicago, and DePaul University’s DePaul Center. Spacious townhomes and condominiums in Dearborn Park offer a lifestyle filled with comfort and convenience, including scenic parks and playgrounds, tennis courts, winding bike trails, and picturesque jogging trails. Burnham Park and the South Loop form a bustling and progressive community, while Printer’s Row stands as an historical monument to Chicago architecture. Meticulously restored, it preserves yesterday’s charm yet offers a progressive lifestyle. The result is a quaint yet vibrant community with apartments, loft space, shops, and offices all set on a beautiful, tree-lined parkway. Young, affluent and career-oriented residents enjoy being close to the cosmopolitan activities of the city. The location of this area near the Loop places residents within walking distance of the city’s offices, theaters, museums, restaurants, shops, and the lake. The Chicago Transit Authority provides excellent bus service to the Chicago Loop. The CTA also provides elevated and subway train service around the Loop, to O’Hare Airport, and to some outlying suburbs.

 

DePaul, Old Town Triangle
General Boundaries: Halstead Street, North Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and Diversey Parkway
The DePaul neighborhood is another area of lovely homes that feature elegant Victorian architecture. Beautiful brownstones and turn-of-the-century brick apartment buildings with turreted roofs bring yesterday’s charm to modern, progressive Chicago. Anchoring the neighborhood is DePaul University, joined by the Goodman School of Drama and the famous Biograph Theatre. The quaint Old Town Triangle area with its cobblestone streets and gas lights is bounded by Armitage Avenue, Clark Street, Division Street, and the former Ogden Avenue right-of-way. Home of the famous Second City comedy troupe, Old Town plays host to thousands who flock to the Old Town Art Fair and neighborhood tour. The CTA provides bus service to the Loop as well as elevated and subway train service to the Loop, O’Hare airport, and outlying suburbs.

 

East LakeView, West Lakeview, Wrigleyville
General Boundaries: Clark Street, Diversey Harbor, Belmont Harbor, Wrigleyville neighborhood
This close-knit collection of neighborhoods intermingles in certain sections. West Lakeview actually begins around Clifton Avenue, where renovations harmonize with some newer single-family homes. The Wrigleyville section of Lake View is dominated by two- and three-flat buildings as well as by the famous Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. One of Chicago’s most historic neighborhoods, Lakeview became a town in 1887 and was annexed to Chicago two years later. The major landmark of the neighborhood is the Alta Vista area, which is dominated by unique and famous architecture. The nearby community of Ravenswood offers excellent hospitals and wonderful parks. All three communities are marked by comfortable residential housing and community stability. Bike and jogging paths, street fairs, and sidewalk cafes provide recreational diversions. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) provides bus service and elevated subway trains to the Chicago Loop. The latter is also available for trips to O’Hare Airport and some outlying suburbs.

 

Edgebrook, Sauganash
General Boundaries: Caldwell, Loron, Dowagiac, Lunt, Carpenter, Ionia, Cicero; Billy Caldwell Golf Course
The northwest section of Chicago is suburban in character and rich in Native American history. Home to many high-ranking politicians, administrators, judges, and lawyers, Edgebrook and Sauganash feature a variety of traditionally designed, custom-built luxury homes. Metra trains travel to the Chicago Loop in 30 minutes, while the Chicago Transit Authority provides transportation via bus and elevated train to the Loop, O’Hare Airport, and some of the outlying suburbs. Both communities provide convenient transportation, easy accessibility to shopping, excellent schools, and abundant recreational facilities. Mature trees and well-maintained lawns characterize these popular residential areas, with street names that honor their heritage such as Minnetonka, Hiawatha, Ionia, Dowagiac and Minnehaha. The Sauganash boundaries include Bryn Mawr, Cicero, Devon and the former right-of-way for the Union Pacific Railroad

 

Edgewater
General Boundaries: Foster, Devon, Ravenswood, and Lake Michigan
Natural beauty, a wide range of housing options, cultural diversity, and some of Chicago’s most exciting vistas characterize Edgewater, a scattering of residential districts. Breathtaking panoramas of the lakefront, downtown, and the suburbs create the backdrop for high-rises along Sheridan Road, mid-century courtyard buildings along the Winthrop-Kenmore corridor, and tree-lined streets and large houses west of Broadway. Refurbished housing mixes with newer construction here, where millions of dollars in public and private money have been invested in properties along Winthrop and Kenmore. Edgewater’s convenient transportation, lakefront location, parks and beaches make it ideal for resident s of all backgrounds including Loyola University students and faculty. Edgewater is served by the Howard-Dan Ryan Line and CTA express buses. The Metra commuter train stops near the western edge of the neighborhood, while travel to the Loop via Lake Shore Drive is a 15-minute trip.

 

Jefferson Park, Edison Park, Norwood Park
General Boundaries: Montrose, Narragansett and Cicero Avenues; Milwaukee Rail Road tracks
Located in the far northwestern section of the city, the neighborhoods of Jefferson Park, Edison Park, and Norwood Park are considered to be “suburbs within a city.” Residents enjoy all of the friendliness of a small town but also the stellar attractions of one of the world’s largest cities. Edison Park is marked by beautiful architectural creations of the 1920s, an idyllic area of tree-lined streets that reflect an elegant English village atmosphere with ivy-covered Tudors and Georgian-style homes. Norwood Park has the quiet charm of New England, with stately, well-kept mid-1800 homes surrounded by beautiful foliage and mature landscaping. Single family dwellings are predominant. Vintage Victorians with wide lawns are available as well as two-family structures. Norwood Park stretches to Nagle, Austin, and Milwaukee on the east; Devon and Albion on the north, Harlem on the west, and Foster and Gunnison on the south. Metra provides train service to the Chicago Loop. The Chicago Transit Authority also provides bus service and elevated train service to the Loop, O’Hare Airport, and some outlying suburbs.

 

Galewood
General Boundaries: North, Harlem, Fullerton, Grand, and Austin Avenues
Known as an extremely well-established and stable neighborhood, Galewood features many homes that were constructed by Polish and Italian families in the 1940s and still belong to the original owners’ families. Galewood shares borders with Oak Park to the south and Elmwood Park to the west. In fact, Chicago, Elmwood Park, Oak Park, and River Forest all meet at the intersection of Harlem and North avenues. Community organizations tend to be very active, holding regular meetings and sponsoring special events such as house tours, holiday celebrations, house-decorating awards, and a winter sleigh ride. The selection of housing ranges from modest single-family residences to large Tudor or Georgian styles or even castle-like estates. Metra’s Milwaukee West Line commuter trains serve the area, as well as CTA and suburban Pace buses. The Eisenhower Expressway is just three miles south

 

Gold Coast
General Boundaries: Clark Street, North Avenue, Lake Michigan, Chicago Avenue, Rush and Oak Streets
Chicago’s Gold Coast area is situated adjacent to Lincoln Park and the world famous shopping destination known as the Magnificent Mile. Luxurious brownstones, greystone mansions, co-ops, and condominiums are nestled among tree-lined streets and along spectacular Lake Shore Drive. Residents live within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, Water Tower Place, the 900 North Michigan retail and office complex, and scores of fascinating shops and galleries. Superb ethnic and continental cuisine and a wide range of entertainment create an exciting atmosphere. This area provides a cosmopolitan environment in which to live, work and play. The Chicago Transit Authority provides excellent bus service to the Chicago Loop in minutes. The CTA also provides elevated train service around the loop, out to O’Hare Airport and to some of the outlying suburbs.

 

Hyde Park, Woodlawn, South Shore
General Boundaries: 55th Street, Lake Michigan, 60th Street, and Cottage Grove Avenue
Hyde Park is actually a university town nestled in an urban environment. The influence of the University of Chicago campus distinguishes the neighborhood with great architecture, bookstores, and unusual shops. Gracing the quiet streets are some of the city’s most beautiful single-family homes, an ideal complement to a stimulating collegiate atmosphere. South Shore provides two golf courses, and a country club. Jackson Park adds a golf course and a lakefront recreational area with lagoons, a beach, and harbor that serves as a playground for the area. Other world-famous attractions include the Museum of Science and Industry and the sprawling campus for the University of Chicago. Many residents ride CTA buses and rapid transit or commuter trains to jobs in the Loop. Metra trains and CTA Howard-Dan Ryan trains serve the area, which also enjoys easy access to Lake Shore Drive.

 

Lincoln Park East, Lincoln Park West
General Boundaries: North Avenue, Diversey Parkway, the Kennedy Expressway, and Lake Michigan
An area that draws visitors from all over the city, Lincoln Park is filled with parks, sports facilities, trails, picnic areas, lagoons, and beaches. The Lincoln Park Zoo boasts a real dairy farm, a rookery, and an excellent conservatory. Newcomers will also discover a wide array of fine restaurants, interesting shops, and unique boutiques. Recreational amenities combined with the distinctive style and charm of the residences draw many transferees to the area. Housing options include contemporary townhouses and condos, Victorian three-flats, walk-ups, some vintage mansions, and towering high-rises overlooking Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park.

 

Near West Side
General Boundaries: University of Illinois, Rush Presbyterian-St. Lukes Medical Center, historic Taylor Street
Filled with leading institutions for learning and healthcare, beautiful architecture, and old-world charm, the Near West Side blends excitement with comfort. The vintage Taylor Street enclave is known for its Italian flavor and glorious ethnic restaurants. Lined with fine Victorian homes, Bishop Street has been declared a historic landmark. Garibaldi Park, with its ornamental iron fencing, European lighting, and beautiful landscaping is a quaint and charming park located near handsome new townhouse development. On Halsted Street, just to the northeast, lies Chicago’s famous “Greek Town” and collection of fine Greek restaurants. Chicago Transit Authority provides bus service and elevated subway trains to the Chicago Loop. The latter is also available for trips to O’Hare Airport, and some outlying suburbs.

 

Northcenter
General Boundaries: Montrose Ave to the North, California Ave to the West, Addison St. to the South, Ashland St. and Clark St. to the East.
Referred to as the “heart of Chicago’s north side,” Northcenter is considered a vibrant neighborhood with an eclectic mix of retailers, restaurants, music, theater, and service-oriented businesses. Northcenter’s history is deeply rooted in European culture, and that history can be seen in the architecture of the homes and buildings. Along Byron Street near Oakley Ave and Western Ave, historic buildings are being converted and used as residences and retail businesses. The neighborhood continues to grow and offers a rich cultural diversity. Amenities in this are include bowling alleys, three city parks, a nearby library, a nearby movie theater complex, and Town Square. The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce also hosts free family and community events throughout the year. Many believe this neighborhoods greatest appeal to be its small-town feel, while still being nestled in the middle of a major metropolitan city. This is a neighborhood that can boast of families that have lived there for generations.

Old Irving Park, Villa, Independence Park
General Boundaries: Montrose/Elston Avenues, Irving Park Road, Chicago River North Branch, Addison Street, and Cicero
Known for its historic homes and convenient shopping areas, Irving Park lies on the northwest side of the city and represents a delightful treasure of outstanding architecture. Queen Anne, Victorian and Italianate homes, vintage farmhouses, and elegant bungalows are all in various stages of renovation or preservation. Nearby, the Villa Historic District offers a selection of architecturally significant California and Chicago-style bungalows, many with Prairie School details. Many of the older homes enjoy wide lots facing tree-lined parkways. Independence Park, bounded by Pulaski and the Kennedy Expressway adds a wealth of historic homes that include turn-of-the-century models. Transportation efficiencies include Union Pacific trains and the CTA’s O’Hare-Congress-Douglas Line rapid transit trains. CTA bus service is also available.

 

Portage Park
General Boundaries: Cicero, Belmont, Narragansett, and Lawrence
Claiming advantages like affordable housing, convenient shopping, and one of the quietest neighborhoods in the city, Portage Park residents are primarily clustered on the streets of Six Corners. Here lies one of the most successful neighborhood shopping areas in Chicago, and the hub of the neighborhood. Beautiful older frame and stucco homes blend with brick two-flats and owner-occupied apartment buildings. From its genesis in 1915, the park itself has grown in size and prestige. Today, it provides area residents with a wide array of recreational activities, from tennis to sports leagues. The Aquatic Center features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, diving pool, and play pool for young children. The O’Hare-Congress-Douglas Line rapid transit trains are available, as well as CTA bus lines. The Kennedy Expressway is a few blocks east of the neighborhood.

 

Ravenswood, Lincoln Square
General Boundaries: Foster, Clark, Irving Park Road, and the Chicago River
Many of the reasons for living in the city are evident in Ravenswood, including ethnic diversity, architectural variety, and sheer convenience. Property owners in Ravenswood have carefully renovated the historic homes that are so abundant in this area. The East Ravenswood Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the city’s first planned neighborhoods and offers Victorian homes, brick and greystone flats, and convenient shopping. The district is roughly bounded by Irving Park, Lawrence, Clark and Ravenswood Avenue. With its European delicatessens, shops, restaurants, and annual Oktoberfest, Lincoln Square lives up to its reputation as “A Touch of Europe.” Just south of Lincoln Square is the Sulzer Regional Library— one of the jewels of the Chicago Public Library system. Metra’s Union Pacific trains serve the area, as does the CTA’s Ravenswood line rapid transit and CTA bus lines. The Howard-Dan Ryan line rapid transit stations, Lake Shore Drive, and Kennedy Expressway are all convenient.

River North
The River North Gallery District or simply River North is in the Near North Side. It is home to the largest concentration of art galleries in the country, outside of Manhattan. River North has experienced vast changes over the years including the development of high rise buildings, nightclubs and restaurants. River North has become one of Chicago’s top neighborhoods for nightlife especially on and around Hubbard Street. A common definition puts the River North neighborhood in the area north of the Chicago River and the Merchandise Mart, south of Division Street, east of the Chicago River and west of Wabash Avenue.  Along with hundreds of art galleries, the area holds many bars, dance clubs, popular restaurants and entertainment venues.

Some other parts of River North include:
The Gallery District, the district designated by the City, primarily along Chicago, Superior and Huron streets between Lasalle and Orleans. Galleries can also now be found west of Orleans and east of LaSalle, though the core area still contains the highest concentration of galleries. A design district, with shops and showrooms selling commercial and luxury interior furnishings, in the blocks north of the Merchandise Mart and Kingsbury Park, an area of residential high-rises surrounding Erie Park, at Erie Street and the Chicago River.

 

Rogers Park, West Rogers Park
General Boundaries: Howard, Juneway Terrace, Ridge and Devon Avenues, and Lake Michigan
Known for its diversity of population and variety in housing, Rogers Park serves as the northern gateway to the city for many residents. About 10 miles north of the Loop on the border of Evanston, Rogers Park is bounded and is nestled between Loyola and Northwestern Universities, attracting many students to the residential mix. Although large courtyard buildings predominate near Sheridan Road, the high-rise ban from Sheridan east to the lake has spurred wide spread renovation of existing properties including low-rise or two- and three-flats as well as apartment buildings. Neighboring West Rogers Park offers an attractive and diverse selection of bungalows, Georgian, Victorian, and ranch-style homes. Excellent elevated train and bus service links Rogers Park to the Loop.

Roscoe Village
General Boundaries: Addison Street, Belmont Avenue, Ravenswood Avenue and the Chicago River
Residents can walk to shopping at several boutiques, eat in one of the more than 20 restaurants and enjoy the lifestyle that comes with living in this upscale area. The residents of the Village are dedicated to preserving the quality and style of life that comes with living in this area. Housing types vary from meticulously restored homes to converted warehouse apartments and condominiums, loft space, shops and offices, all set in beautiful tree-lined streets. Young, affluent and career-oriented residents help to make this a small city within the city and a great place to call home.

Streeterville, Cityfront Center, Cityfront Place
General Boundaries: Chicago River, Michigan Avenue, Oak Street, and Lake Michigan
One of Chicago’s most famous neighborhoods, Streeterville brings residents close to world-class shopping, elegant dining, museums, exciting entertainment, and spectacular river and lake vistas. The lakefront also provides an ideal setting for recreation. Cosmopolitan neighborhoods offer condominiums and fabulous new apartment complexes that seem more like self-contained communities. The Cityfront Center and Cityfront Place commercial and residential mixed-use complexes house more than 6,000 residents in approximately 13 million square feet. Travel is quick and easy with Chicago’s elaborate system of expressways and public transportation. Taxis, buses, the subway, and elevated trains make traveling within the city and to and from the surrounding suburbs convenient.

 

Uptown, Buena Park, Sheridan Park
General Boundaries: Lake Michigan to Ashland and Irving Park to Foster
Distinguished as Uptown’s most upscale enclave, Buena Park is bounded by Graceland Cemetery, Irving Park Road, Marine Drive, and Montrose Avenue. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serving as a city landmark, the Hutchinson Historic District offers stately homes that include several multi-million dollar mansions. The Howard-Dan Ryan Line rapid transit train lines stop at Sheridan and Irving Park Roads. CTA express bus is available to the Loop, and the Kennedy Expressway is just four miles away. The Uptown neighborhood—encompassing Buena Park, Clarendon Park, and Sheridan Park—has traditionally attracted residents from diverse backgrounds. Civic leaders are harnessing this diversity as a positive force into widespread revitalization, hoping to attract more professionals to the area with its affordable housing, excellent transportation, and beaches. The Howard-Dan Ryan line serves the area with a number of stops as does the Metra commuter train. Sheridan, Broadway, and Lake Shore Drive express buses travel downtown.

West Loop

West Loop is one of the fastest growing residential neighborhoods in the City of Chicago where new residential development continues to emerge as the demand for family-friendly housing continues to grow. It is home to restaurants, shops, galleries and spacious residential lofts. Thanks in part to its convenient location, nearby retail offerings, family-friendly community, loft-style living and growing park space the West Loop is extremely popular. With national companies opening up offices in the area, business both large and small are moving to the West Loop. This is an area where warehouse buildings are now being rehabbed and converted into innovative office space. Known for its award-winning restaurants, boutiques, burgeoning art gallery district and unique loft-style living, the West Loop is one of the City of Chicago’s most attractive neighborhoods.  Randolph and Fulton Market streets have become a popular location for internationally acclaimed restaurants. The West Loop is also considered a hub for fashion and the arts, staking claim to renowned galleries, dance companies, designers, boutiques and music venues. It is an ideal urban community to call home.