Chicago Real Estate For Sale In IL

The beauty of Chicago real estate is that you get to have the big-city experience without the extreme cost of living you’d find in New York, Los Angeles, or D.C. The majority of properties in Chicago are rented rather than owned, so if you’re looking to invest in rental properties, Chicago could be a great place for you! 

In regard to homes for sale and condos in Chicago, you’ll mostly find bungalows, multi-story semi-detached homes, and cottages. Similar to many other large U.S. cities, housing prices in Chicago have been on the rise. However, with Chicago homes for sale listed for an average of 39 days, the market is slightly less competitive than that of New York or Los Angeles. The average home price of Chicago Metro Area real estate is around $290,000. 

Chicago is split up into 77 distinct community areas, so it can be difficult to know which neighborhood will be right for you. Whether you want to stay in the center of the action or remain with your family in a quiet suburb, Chicago is sure to have your ideal neighborhood. Here are some of the best neighborhoods to check out in the Chicago Metro Area:

Named after Chicago’s largest park, the Lincoln Park neighborhood is one of the most desired neighborhoods in Chicago. Great for young families and young professionals, Lincoln Park is convenient, walkable, and has great schools to offer residents. While Lincoln Park is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Chicago, the price tag is worth it with views of the skyline, plenty of amenities, and an easy commute to the city center. A neighborhood that offers the best of all worlds, Lincoln Park offers residents peace in knowing that they don’t have to sacrifice city living to begin careers or families. 

This hip and trendy neighborhood features housing complexes that have been created out of old industrial buildings. High-rise condos are common in the West Loop, with a number of unique restaurants, galleries, and shops waiting down below. Young professionals love the West Loop because of its artistic nature and convenient condo-living. If you’d prefer a condo in Chicago to a single-family home, start your search in the West Loop. 

The biggest pro of living in Lake View is right there in the name; it offers homes for sale with exceptional views of Lake Michigan. Lake View provides a breezy commute to downtown Chicago and a vibrant culture right there in the neighborhood itself. Home of the Chicago Cubs (the best team in the MLB), some of Chicago’s best nightlife spots, and one-of-a-kind eateries, you’ll have a whole weekend of fun without ever having to leave the neighborhood!

A historic neighborhood and one of the most affluent communities in Chicago, Gold Coast offers luxury living in the Windy City. The Gold Coast in itself is pretty small, which can make it difficult to snag a home for sale there, but if you have a great agent on your side, your chances will look a lot better. Not only is Gold Coast historic, but it is a mile from downtown, received a perfect walkability score, and provides views of the Chicago skyline peeking through tree-lined streets. 

Considered an “up-and-coming” neighborhood, you’ll want to hurry and plant your roots in Bucktown as soon as you can. A 20-minute drive from the Loop (without traffic), Bucktown offers a peaceful and quiet community for those wanting a more intimate neighborhood experience. Bucktown has access to one of Chicago’s newest and biggest parks, and there are plenty of restaurants and amenities to go around.

Another benefit of living in Chicago is the access to world-class education opportunities! Chicago Public Schools offers education opportunities for students in PreK through 12th Grade, with several options for specialized education as well. However, what really makes Chicago stand out is its facilities for higher education. In fact, Chicago is known as one of the best places to live for young professionals, and 41% of the population is made up of millenials and Gen Z. Here are some of the top colleges and universities you’ll have access to in Chicago:

Things to do in this beautiful city are endless. Chicago has been ranked as one of the best cities in America for outdoor activities. World-famous landmarks like Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile, and the Art Institute of Chicago can even impress those who have lived in Chicago their whole lives. The Chicago River makes for an excellent spot to kayak, canoe, or paddle board. There is no better way to get a view of the city than strolling along the river, whether by boat or by foot on one of the city’s many walking paths. 

When the weather gets chilly in the winter - and believe us, Chicago cold is enough to make Queen Elsa shudder - take advantage of the city’s many skiing and ice skating opportunities. While Chicago, like the rest of the midwest, is pretty flat, you’ll be surprised to find a few different slopes and hills to ski down. 

If all the activity has your stomach rumbling, stop by one of Chicago’s many eateries for some Chicago-style deep dish pizza (sorry New York, but Chicago is the pizza king). After dinner you can catch a Chicago Bulls or Blackhawks game at United Center. Sports are a huge part of the culture in Chicago, so you’ll always have fun memories with neighbors and friends while at a game!

UChicago Medicine and the ACCESS Community Health Network both offer some excellent options for care. Whether you need emergency services or long-term care, you’ll never be far from great healthcare in Chicago. UChicago has an excellent NICU and plenty of rooms for labor and delivery, so Chicago is a great place to begin and raise your family.

Chicago’s economy is booming, and the large city makes for an excellent place to begin your career or start a business. As a major world financial hub and one of the largest business districts in the U.S., employment opportunities in Chicago are abundant. Chicago’s largest employers include the U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, Advocate Aurora Health, and Northwestern Memorial Healthcare. Some of the industries that are key to Chicago’s economy are the construction, manufacturing, trade and transportation, IT, and financial industries. Many residents live in the quieter suburbs outside of Chicago and commute in for work because there are so many opportunities here.

If you live in Chicago, the best way to get around is the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). The CTA is the second-largest public transportation system in the nation and operates 129 bus routes and 8 train lines. The bus routes stop every few blocks, and the city center is extremely walkable if the bus doesn’t stop exactly where you need to go. Downtown Chicago operates on a grid system, so it’s easy to navigate your way around the city. The Metra Rail connects residents from the outlying suburbs to the heart of the city, making your commute in Chicago public-transit friendly.

Taxis, ubers, and water taxis are also available if that’s your preferred method of transportation. Of course, if you have your own car, there are plenty of accessible roads and highways, but traffic can be heavy in Chicago, so make sure to plan for that in your commute. For domestic and international flights out of Chicago, O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport are some of the top airports in the country. 

Since Chicago is located right in the middle of seven interstates, two international airports, a major U.S. port, and numerous long-distance public transit systems, there’s no question why it’s considered a major transportation hub.