Photo credit: MtHunder58 via Wikimedia Commons
Looking to live in one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city of Chicago - and maybe in the entire country? Then Avondale is the spot for you.
Avondale has been named one of the nation's hottest "up-and-coming" neighborhoods by travel media company Lonely Planet, whose writers vibed with the area's "scruffy, artsy, lived-in magic."
Those are their words, but we think they ring true. Avondale has long been a spot that's welcomed artists, families, and foodies of all stripes. Though the neighborhood has changed from the days when it was the center of Polish life for the city, Avondale has always been, and always will be, unique, unpretentious, and totally Chicago.
Boasting a unique combination of industrial architecture, classical cathedrals, and generously-sized homes, Avondale is home to some of Chicago's coolest haunts, including Honey Butter Fried Chicken, the pierogi-dispensing Red Apple, and, of course, Kuma's Corner, a world famous spot for burgers, beer, and heavy metal (yep, you read that right).
Officially, Avondale is bounded by Addison Street to the north and Diversey Avenue to the south, with the Chicago River on the east and Pulaski Road to the west. It is one of 77 officially-designated community areas in Chicago.
For more information on this eclectic, welcoming - and quickly growing - spot, we encourage you to check out some of these handy resources:
Ready to buy a house or condo in this charming neighborhood? Here are the current market statistics for Avondale to know for 2021:
Read more: What are the Current Market Conditions for Avondale?
Looking for a home with easy access to parks, a quick commute to plenty of local businesses, and winning views of some iconic Chicago sites? Then it's time to start looking at Portage Park, which boasts all of these features and more.
Located on the northwest side of the city, Portage Park is bounded by Jefferson Park and Forest Glen to the north, Irving Park to the east, and Belmont-Cragin to the South. In addition to its beautiful homes, Portage Park also offers a ton to see and do, including its namesake park, a 36-acre area that once played host to the Pan-American Games, as well as Chopin Park, named for the famous Polish pianist.
If shopping is more your style, the area also contains the iconic Six Corners shopping district, located at the intersection of Irving Park Road, Cicero Avenue, and Milwaukee Avenue. Portage Park also plays home to some amazing glimpses into the past and future of Chicago, including two iconic old movie palaces in the Portage Theater and The Patio.
For more neighborhood information, we'll leave that to the neighborhood association and local guides:
Ready to give this charming and historic slice of Chicagoland a look for yourself? Here are the current market statistics for Portage Park:
Read more: What Are the Current Real Estate Market Conditions for Portage Park?
Ask three different people how they’d see their Chicago “dream home,” and you could well get three different answers. For one, the perfect slice of Chicago may be a Gold Coast penthouse with views of the lake. For another, a cozy converted two-flat with a detached garage is the way to go. For the third, maybe the goal is to one day buy a Chicago-style bungalow, with an unfinished basement perfect for a major renovation project.
The point? No two people are going to have the same perfect property. Everyone’s tastes are going to differ, both in terms of what they want in their dream house, and what they really need. Identifying the difference between these two categories early on is one of the most important steps that you can take at the start of the homebuying process.
Dreaming Big: Don’t Be Afraid to Brainstorm
Read more: Buying a Home? Know What You Want, Versus What You Need
Want a little bit of everything? Chicago's North Center - a community area bordered on the north by Montrose Avenue, on the south by Diversey Parkway, west by the Chicago River, and on the east by Ravenswood Avenue - is notable for its small community feel, proximity to great schools, and easy access to the best that Chicago's North Side has to offer, including live theater, comedy, music, and just about every cuisine you could imagine, from traditional German pub fare to cutting edge sushi.
North Center also boasts some of Chicago's most charming residential architecture, large parks, and pristine, tree-lined streets.
Want to learn more about this lovely neighborhood and all it has to offer? Here are a few great resources on North Center:
Ready to get a feel for North Center's quiet charms? Here are the current market statistics for North Center you should know:
Read more: What are the Current Market Conditions for North Center?
