In a metro area as big as Chicago, it’s not always easy to catch a breath of fresh air — especially during the long winter months. But when the winter snow melts away, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities available in the Windy City.
“Chicago is a favorite destination in the summer,” says Melissa Vasic, director of sales for MKT Properties. “It’s just a fun, amazing place.”
The city has plenty of outdoor space, though some parts offer easier access to parks, beaches and bike trails than others. With help from some of Chicago’s top-selling real estate agents, as identified by OpenHouse Realty, a real estate technology company (and a U.S. News partner), we’ve pinpointed neighborhoods in Chicago that are ideal for residents looking to regularly connect with nature.
Lincoln Park. Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood has a long list of outdoor activities available to its residents. Of all the possibilities, the most unique advantage of living in this area has to be the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free and open to the public 365 days each year. The neighborhood also lies along the lakefront with access to North Avenue Beach, and includes a variety of parks and walking and jogging paths.
[Read: A First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Chicago.]
Lincoln Park has homes ranging from $200,000 condominiums to $2 million luxury homes. According to Tessi Davis, a broker associate with CONLON/Christie’s International Real Estate, the variety of housing options opens the neighborhood up to people from most walks of life. “It really gives you the opportunity for any style of living in Lincoln Park,” she says.
Ravenswood. Kayaking may not be the first outdoor activity that comes to mind for those looking to move to Chicago, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in this neighborhood. “Ravenswood is one of the neighborhoods that’s best known for that,” Vasic says.
Because Ravenswood has direct access to the Chicago River, it’s not uncommon to also see residents fishing and boating. The neighborhood is also home to a farmers market and hosts an annual art walk.
Ravenswood can be a bit more on the costly side. Vasic notes that single-family homes in the area start at around $400,000 and many homes have multimillion-dollar price tags.
Logan Square/Humboldt Park. A few years ago, no one would have considered Humboldt Park a suitable neighborhood for the outdoorsy set. The 606 — a rail line-turned-nature walk — has changed that. This relatively new outdoor space is connected to four neighborhoods and features a bike-friendly trail, an observatory and art installations.
Ever since The 606 opened in June 2015, the real estate picture in Logan Square and Humboldt Park has changed rapidly. “Values near The 606 have increased dramatically,” says Frank Montro, owner of Frank Montro Homes. The area is mostly populated with single-family homes that can range from low to mid-$200,000 to $400,000 and up.
Lakeview. The neighborhood of Lakeview, particularly East Lakeview, has a lot to offer in the summer months. Access to Belmont Harbor means residents can spend the warmer days sailing. Lakeview also has numerous paths that run along the lake.
[Read: Get the Best Price on a Lakefront Condominium in Chicago.]
“People love to bike and run along the lakefront, that’s just one of the allures of Chicago,” Vasic says.
For those who aren’t into the lake, there’s another big perk to living in Lakeview: Wrigley Field. Home to the World Series 2016 champion Chicago Cubs, the baseball field is one of the most historic in the country.
Lakeview is mainly made up of condos inside high-rises, but does include some vintage walk-ups. Prices in this neighborhood can range from $200,000 to $1 million and up.
Wicker Park/Bucktown. Like Logan Square and Humboldt Park, these two neighborhoods also have access to The 606 trail, but that’s not the only thing that makes the area a great spot for those who enjoy the outdoors. Wicker Park and Bucktown are also widely known for their live music, art galleries and booming nightlife, which spreads into the outdoors as the weather warms. They also sit just outside Chicago’s downtown area, giving residents easy access to the city’s many amenities.
Bucktown and Wicker Park “appeal to anyone’s budget and style,” says Davis, who notes that Chicagoans can find everything from low-price studios to $2 million single-family homes and $300,000 lofts overlooking The 606 in these areas.
Bronzeville. Bronzeville may not be as well-known as some of the other areas on this list, but the up-and-coming neighborhood near the lake has a lot to offer. Those living in the area are already close to 31st Street Beach and can look forward to construction on a new 41st Street Bridge starting next year, which will allow residents to easily cross over busy Lake Shore Drive to reach Oakwood Beach. This lakefront access means residents can enjoy a reconstructed boating dock, lots of new restaurants, outdoor cafes, walking paths and much more.
[Read: 4 Things You Need to Know About Buying a Historic Home in Chicago.]
All of these additions have done great things for the neighborhood, according to Montro. “There’s a lot of disposable income coming in there,” he says.
When it comes to pricing, Montro describes Bronzeville homes as “all over the board,” with most ranging in price from $90,000 to $450,000. The area is mostly composed of single-family homes, as well as duplexes and town homes.
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6 Neighborhoods to Buy a Home in Chicago if You Love the Outdoors originally appeared on usnews.com
