Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is the perfect blend of city and nature. From skyscraper buildings to expansive parks and beaches, there’s something for everyone looking to living in Chicago.
You’ll find countless neighborhoods that comprise the Windy City – each with a distinct charm and flair. There are so many that you may be struggling to decide just where to buy a home or rent an apartment. So if you’re looking for the perfect Chicago neighborhood to call home, here’s a guide to some of the most popular ones.
1. Andersonville
Originally settled by Swedish immigrants in the mid-19th century, Andersonville is now a historic Chicago neighborhood known for its many antique shops and boutique stores. At the beginning of the 1900s, it was the hub of the city’s Swedish population. Clark Street was once lined with Swedish-owned bakeries, shoe stores and delis, and old photos of these businesses still hang in the windows of the buildings they once called home. Andersonville is also home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago, and plays an important role in the city’s annual Pride festivities. The houses in Andersonville combine modern and historical – you’ll find many Victorians, two flats, bungalows, and graystones.
Located along the western side of the Chicago River, Bucktown is known for its artsy atmosphere, independent businesses, art galleries, and music venues. The name “Bucktown” is said to have originated from the numerous deer that once roamed the area. Milwaukee Avenue is one of the liveliest streets in the neighborhood, and it’s surrounded by plenty of entertainment venues, bars, and restaurants. Bucktown is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Chicago, with a Walk Score of 93 and a Bike Score of 94. Bucktown has a mix of Victorian-style homes, new construction, and renovated homes. You can find anything from vintage apartments to new-construction condos and single-family homes.
DePaul is a bustling and vibrant community close to the well-known DePaul University. The area is known for its nightlife, an abundance of restaurants and bars, and its convenient location near downtown Chicago. DePaul has a Walk Score of 92 and a Bike Score of 87, making it an excellent place to live if you don’t own a car. The apartments in DePaul are mostly small to medium-sized apartment buildings, due to its proximity to DePaul University.
Downtown Chicago is a bustling, cosmopolitan area with a high concentration of businesses and cultural attractions. The neighborhood is home to the city’s financial district, as well as a variety of museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions. Downtown Chicago is also a popular destination for shopping, dining, and nightlife, and is served by an extensive public transportation network. The area is also home to many of the city’s tourist attractions, including Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile.
The housing options in the Downtown Chicago area are very diverse. There are high-rise apartments, single-family homes, and townhouses. It’s also common to find many older homes converted into apartments.
The Fulton River District, situated to the northwest of Chicago Loop, has undergone an extensive transformation from a manufacturing and warehouse hub to a lively residential and retail area over the past few decades. While the Blommer Chocolate Company still continues to fill the air with a sweet chocolate aroma, the majority of the infrastructural boxes have been renovated into high- and low-rise apartments, condominiums, cafés, pubs, and stores. Fulton River District’s housing is known for its high-rise apartments and condominiums, as well as its riverfront views.
Gold Coast is known for its shopping, dining, nightlife, and regal-looking homes. The neighborhood is also home to some of Chicago’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and 875 North Michigan Avenue, the former John Hancock Center. Many of the homes in the Gold Coast neighborhood are historic mansions that have been converted into apartments or condominiums. You’ll also find many high-rise residential buildings.
Hyde Park is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the historic district known as the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Area. The neighborhood is home to the University of Chicago, the Frederick C. Robie House, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Jackson Park. You can also find gorgeous views of Lake Michigan, including the scenic lookout at Promontory Point. Hyde Park is accessible by public transportation and is a great place for biking, with a Bike Score of 91. Hyde Park homes are a mix of old and new, with some historic homes dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s, but you can also find more modern homes.
Lake View is known for its vibrant nightlife and scenic views of Lake Michigan. The neighborhood is home to a variety of bars and restaurants, as well as a number of parks and beaches. You can also find Belmont Harbor, which includes a marina, dog park, lake views, and a trail. The homes in the Lake View area are varied, but most are single-family homes or small apartment buildings, many of which have water views of Lake Michigan.
The Lincoln Park neighborhood is known for its many parks, most famously Lincoln Park, the largest park in the city. You can also check out the Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, the Chicago History Museum, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – all part of the park. Lincoln Park is the 9th most walkable neighborhood in Chicago, with a Walk Score of 94. Many of the homes in Lincoln Park date back to the 1800s and are made of brick or stone. Lots of the older homes have been converted into apartments or condos, and you can find new construction homes, as well as some townhomes and brownstones.
Nestled on Chicago’s North Side, Lincoln Square is known as a small town in the midst of the big city. Settlers to the area in the 1840s brought German traditions that are still alive today, with traditional German bars and restaurants existing alongside modern cocktail bars and eateries. Lincoln Square is also home to many popular festivals and events, such as Apple Fest and the Square Roots Festival. A mix of old and new, Lincoln Square has a variety of homes and apartments, from Victorian-style homes to new-construction apartments.
Logan Square is home to the Logan Square Farmers Market, which takes place on Sundays from May to October. The area is also known for its vibrant nightlife scene, with a number of bars and clubs located in the neighborhood. Public transportation in Logan Square is excellent, and the neighborhood is very bike-friendly and great for walkers, with a Bike Score of 93 and Walk Score of 91. The housing in Logan Square blends older two-story, red brick homes with newer-construction homes and apartments.
The Loop is part of Chicago’s central business district. In the late century, cable car turnarounds and elevated railway loops defined the area, and it was later home to the world’s busiest subway station. Today, The Loop is a bustling mixed-use area, home to offices, shops, restaurants, and theaters to several major tourist attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Willis Tower. It’s the 6th most walkable neighborhood in Chicago, with a Walk Score of 95, and the Transit Score is 99, with about 25 buses and seven subway lines passing through the neighborhood. The Loop is known for its high-rise buildings and apartments that offer stunning views of the cityscape.
Near North Side is a bustling and vibrant area encompassing neighborhoods like Gold Coast and Streeterville. The area is known for its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, as well as its nightlife scene. The near North Side is also home to several iconic Chicago gems, including 875 North Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile. With a Walk Score of 96, Near North Side is the 3rd most walkable neighborhood in Chicago. It also has great transit options with a Transit Score of 90.
Old Town is a historic neighborhood home to many of the city’s original buildings and conveniently located next to Lincoln Park. The area is also home to a number of great local restaurants, bars, shops, and The Second City comedy club. You can also find one of the few buildings that survived the Great Fire of 1871, St. Michaels Church. Many of the buildings date back to the 19th century in the Old Town area. The neighborhood is full of character, with narrow streets and a mix of architectural styles.
Pilsen is well known for its vibrant art galleries, music venues, and restaurants. The Pilsen neighborhood is also home to some prominent public artworks, including murals by famous Mexican-American artists like Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Most of the homes in Pilsen are brick or stone buildings built in the late 1800s. There are also some newer homes and condos in the area.
River North is the site of the city’s largest concentration of art galleries, art studios, and cultural attractions, like The Richard H. Driehaus Museum and The Merchandise Mart. The neighborhood is also home to many of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and nightlife venues. Whether you’re looking for Chicago classics like Portillo’s, Giordanos, and Lou Malnati’s or a twist on Chicago cuisine, you can find it in River North. The River North neighborhood has many home styles and apartments, ranging from high-rise apartments and condos to single-family homes and townhouses.
During the Gilded Age, the South Loop served as Chicago’s premier “Gold Coast,” home to wealthy residents such as George Pullman, Marshall Field, and Potter and Bertha Palma who built large mansions on Prairie Avenue. The Glessner House, constructed in 1887, is still standing and is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Today, South Loop is known for its lively atmosphere and is a popular destination for locals and tourists. This area is also home to many of Chicago’s most popular attractions, including the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and Soldier Field – home of the Chicago Bears.
Nestled just north of downtown Chicago, Streeterville lies on the other side of the Chicago River from Lakeshore East and The Loop. Streeterville is home to many high-rise residential buildings, hotels, and office towers. You can also find many Chicago landmarks located in Streeterville like the Museum of Contemporary Art, 875 North Michigan Avenue, the Tribune Tower, and Navy Pier. Many of the homes in Streeterville are high-rise condominiums, apartments, single-family homes, and townhouses. With a prime location near Lake Michigan, chances are you’ll have stunning views of the lake or the city skyline.
Ukrainian Village is filled with beautiful architecture, quaint shops, and delicious restaurants. This neighborhood is home to numerous Ukrainian restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and several Ukrainian churches. Whether you’re looking to learn about a new culture or simply enjoy some good food, Ukrainian Village is the perfect place to do it. With a Walk Score of 95, Ukrainian Village is the 5th most walkable neighborhood in Chicago. The Ukrainian Village has lots of Victorian-style homes and mansions, Greystones, and brick bungalows.
West Loop is known for its industrial and warehouse buildings, many of which have been converted into lofts and apartments. The neighborhood is also home to many wonderful restaurants, bars, and shops. You can find anything from innovative ice cream, BBQ, beer gardens, and more. The West Loop has a Walk Score of 96, making it the 4th most walkable neighborhood in Chicago. With a Transit Score of 100, West Loop has 15 buses, nine rail, and two subway lines passing through it. The homes in the West Loop neighborhood are typically two-story brick houses, and many have front porches and small backyards. The apartments are typically small and cozy, with a lot of character.
West Town is an incredible place with a unique, artsy atmosphere. Here, you can find an abundance of restaurants, coffee shops, nightclubs, boutiques, art galleries, vintage stores, music venues, and much more. Be sure to check out the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, or take a trip to Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park. Areas of West Town include East Village, Eckhart Park, sections of Humboldt Park, Noble Square, sections of River West, Smith Park, Ukrainian Village, and the southern part of Wicker Park. Many of the apartments in West Town are in vintage walk-up buildings and offer charming features like hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. The houses are mostly two-story brick houses built in the early 1900s and have beautiful features like stained-glass windows and ornate fireplaces.
Wicker Park is known for its shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs, as well as its Victorian and Queen Anne-style homes. The neighborhood is also home to the Wicker Park Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With a Walk Score of 96, Wicker Park is an excellent place to live without a car. It’s also the 2nd most walkable neighborhood in Chicago. Many of the homes in Wicker Park are Victorian-style mansions that were built in the late 1800s, while others are more modern residences. There are also a few apartment buildings and condominiums in the area.
Located in Chicago, the Wrigleyville neighborhood is renowned for being the home of Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs. The area, also known as Central Lakeview, is situated around Addison Street and Clark Street, with plenty of restaurants, parks, bars, and coffee shops. Residents of Wrigleyville benefit from a vibrant urban atmosphere and a multitude of activities to partake in. Wrigleyville consists mainly of two-story brick houses. Many houses have been renovated, but some are still in original condition. You can also find a few three-story houses and apartment buildings.
Methodology: All neighborhoods must be listed as a “neighborhood” on Redfin.com. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during October 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com during October 2023. Walk Score, Bike Score, and Transit Score from Walkscore.com during October 2023.
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Serving homebuyers and sellers in the Chicago area, Monica Mccarthy is a top real estate agent at Redfin with the latest market insights and local expertise. With years of experience as a real estate agent in the greater Chicago area, Monica Mccarthy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the local market.
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