Photo credit: Nitram242 via Wikimedia Commons

West Town refers to the large neighborhood northwest of the Loop, and is more commonly referenced by its sub-neighborhoods, which include Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, River West, East Village, part of Bucktown, and Noble Square. Lively communities entrenched in diverse histories and languages, the homes in West Town reflect the hippest and most old-fashioned sides of Chicago, all at once.

Wicker Park, named for the beautiful park at its heart, welcomes artists, families, and foodies alike, and is home to trendy bars, galleries, theater spaces, and countless other quirky gems. You can get a cup of coffee from a number of different shops, most of which are independently owned and burst with eclectic charm.

Ukrainian Village is a more mellow choice. Lined with old trees and filled with classic brick architecture, “Uke Village,” as it's sometimes called, is home to lots of small family businesses, many of which have historically employed Ukrainian or Russian as a first language. Ukrainian Village was also named 2016's "Hottest Neighborhood in the Country" by our colleagues over at Redfin.

For more information on the rest of the neighborhoods that comprise West Town, we encourage you to check out some of these handy resources:

• Choose Chicago's guide to West Town
• West Town Chamber of Commerce
• "A Guide to Wicker Park" from Chicago Magazine
• "The Insider's Guide to Ukrainian Village," from Chicago Magazine
• "Your Complete Guide to Ukrainian Village and Noble Square," from TimeOut Chicago
• Baird & Warner's guide to West Town

Ready to buy or sell a house or condo in one of these charming neighborhoods? Here are the current market statistics for all of West Town:

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The start of a new year is the perfect time to look ahead and get ready to turn over a new leaf. That’s why New Year’s resolutions are so popular!

Whether the goal is to get healthy, improve their financial outlook, or mark a major life milestone, more than 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, according to estimates from Forbes. With all that said, in the end, only about 8% of Americans successfully accomplish those resolutions.

We’ve got some news: If your New Year’s resolution is about buying, selling, or owning a home in Chicago, you can end up among that 8% this time!

Here at Real Group, we pride ourselves on our expertise on all things real estate – and we’ve got all the guides and resources you could ever need to help you turn the page on your biggest New Year’s resolution, once and for all. If you’ve got any questions about buying, selling, or managing real estate, you’ve come to the right place!

Consider this your one-stop shop to checking off your 2022 real estate “to-do” list. Below, we’ve got tons of handy advice, expert opinions, and market forecasts, perfect for guiding you through every step of the home process with ease.

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For anyone looking to buy a piece of Chicago history, the Douglas community area is a great place to start searching.

One of 77 officially designated community areas in Chicago, Douglas stretches from 26th Street South to Pershing Road along the Lake. This area contains some or all of the Bronzeville, Prairie Shores, and Groveland Park neighborhoods.

Looking for things to do? Burnham Park runs along the shoreline of the Douglas area, including the 31st street beach, which is now named for the famous artist, educator and museum founder, Margaret Taylor-Burroughs.

Bronzeville is home to the Illinois Institute of Technology, and is one of the most culturally rich neighborhoods in the city, having once been the home of Ida B. Wells, Gwendolyn Brooks, Sam Cooke, and Lou Rawls, among countless other luminaries.

Looking for more information? Here are some handy resources to help get you acquainted with the Douglas area:

• The Choose Chicago guide to Bronzeville
• Bronzeville Area Residents' and Commerce Council (BARCC)
• TimeOut Chicago's "Complete Guide to Bronzeville"
• Chicago Magazine's "14 Things to Do" in Bronzeville"
• Baird & Warner's guide to things to see and do in Bronzeville
• Baird & Warner's guide to Douglas real estate

Ready to call these great neighborhoods home? Here are the housing and condo market stats you need to know about the Douglas community, including Bronzeville and Prairie Shores:

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Why the Near North Side?

Located north and east of the Chicago River, the Near North Side is one of the most iconic and picturesque areas in the city, and is the home of countless great restaurants, theaters, and museums. 

Comprised of famous sub-neighborhoods like Gold Coast, Old Town, Goose Island, River North, and Streeterville, the Near North Side is home to some of Chicago's most legendary sites, including the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier, as well as some of the most famous skyscrapers in the country. Of Chicago's downtown community areas, Near North has the largest population, along with the highest number of skyscrapers. 

For more on this bundle of great Chicago neighborhoods, here are a few resources worth checking out:

• WikiTravel's "Guide to the Near North Side"
• "A Complete Guide to the River North and Streeterville Neighborhoods," from TimeOut Chicago
• "The Near North Side," on AreaVibes
• Streeterville Chamber of Commerce
• Gold Coast Neighbors Association
• Baird & Warner's guide to homes for sale in the Near North Side

Home to great shopping, easy access to public transit, and thriving nightlife options, the neighborhoods of the Near North Side have all of the assets that make Chicago a prime destination for buyers. Whether you're looking to buy or sell in the area, here are the current stats for Near North's condo and housing market that you need to know now:

Near North Side's Current Condo Market 

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