Looking to buy a home in Chicago? America’s third-largest city has a competitive real estate market with homes often selling below listing price, making it an ideal spot for first-time home buyers and families looking to upgrade. Check out the five best Chicago neighborhoods for buying a home!
| Neighborhood | Beverly | Edison Park | Lincoln Square | Mount Greenwood | The Loop |
| Median Home Price | $300,525 | $446,771 | $502,433 | $269,300 | $331,150 |
| Safer than % of City Neighborhoods | 88% | 99% | 82% | 95% | 19% |
| Owner Occupied Home Rate | 77.3% | 73.6% | 47.4% | 77.4% | 40.2% |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 1.2% | 3.7% | 2.9% | 3.6% |
Beverly
With housing options ranging from traditional brick bungalows to Colonial and Craftsman-style homes, the South Side neighborhood of Beverly is one of the best places to buy a home in the Chicago area! Known for its Irish roots, this Chicago neighborhood offers a great selection of Irish pubs and events like the South Side Irish Parade. Locals also love coming together to discover restaurants and other vendors at the seasonal 95th Street Farmers Market, which runs from May to November. And with green spaces and the presence of top-rated local schools like Sutherland Elementary and Kellogg Elementary, Beverly is an ideal spot for families looking to settle down.
Things to Do in Beverly
See a rotating art exhibit, catch theatre productions like Hairspray or Oliver!, or enroll kids in an arts camp at the Beverly Arts Center. Walk on the trail loop, have a picnic, or go sledding in the winter at the 257-acre Dan Ryan Woods. Learn about the history of “Chicago’s only castle” at The Givins Castle, dating back to 1886. Cool off in the summer with flavors like Butter Pecan, Palmer House, or the signature Rainbow at The Original Rainbow Cone. Try the Chicken Gyros, Mediterranean Shrimp Salad, or Fried Green Tomato BLT at family-owned restaurant Nicky’s of Beverly. Sip on craft brews like the Hedged Futures, Long Squeeze American Sour Ale, or Speculator Cream Ale at Open Outcry Brewing Company. Take home some Salt & Vinegar Popcorn, Cookies & Cream Donuts, or Gourmet Shaved Ice from Poppin Dough. Or stop in for classic burgers, fries, and milkshakes at Top Notch Beefburgers, a neighborhood favorite for nearly 80 years.
Edison Park
Looking for a Chicago neighborhood where you can be more removed from the hustle and bustle of city life? Check out Edison Park! This North Side neighborhood is one of the safest in the city, offering large single-family homes with well-tended yards, great schools like Stock School, Ebinger Elementary School, and Edison Park Elementary School, and easy access to the Metra Rail via the Edison Park Train Station. Plus, Edison Park is only about 15 minutes away from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, making it an excellent area for frequent travelers!
Things to Do in Edison Park
Play on the splash pad, shoot hoops on the basketball court, or have a picnic at Olympia Park. Putt-putt your way through 18 holes at Pioneer Park Mini Golf. Find your new favorite pair of shoes or shop for other unique items at Co-op California Boutique. Take the kids to the playground or play a game of horseshoes at Brooks (Oscar) Park. Dine on Onion Soup, Etouffeé, and Poulet Et Frites at French bistro Cafe Touche. Head out for Chicken Wings, a Full Rib Dinner, Onion Rings, and other comfort food at the Chicken Inn. Fill up on a Gyros Plate, Double Chili Dog, or an Italian Beef & Sausage Combo at Nick’s Drive-In. Or indulge in some of the best Italian food in Chicago at Zia’s Social, where you can find dishes like Fig & Prosciutto Pizza, Penne Piedmontese, or Linguini Pescatore.
Lincoln Square
Lincoln Square is a charming Chicago neighborhood with a small-town feel! Located on the North Side of Chicago, this neighborhood is perfect for families, young professionals, and anyone who loves a tight-knit community vibe. If you’re interested in getting involved in local community events, you can stop by the Lincoln Square Farmers Market during the warmer months or attend the annual Apple Fest in the fall. Potential homeowners will also appreciate the area’s tree-lined streets, mixture of condos and historic bungalows, and the vibrant shopping and dining district near the intersection of W Lawrence Ave and N Western Ave.
Things to Do in Lincoln Square
Lace up your shoes for a jog, cool off in the pool, or play soccer with friends on the soccer field at River Park. Catch newly released films or view a themed movie series like Spotlight on Women at the Davis Theater. Purchase collectible action figures, toy cars, and lego sets at Quake Collectibles. Sign your young ones up for classes like Mini Play Art and Art Club, or enroll in School Day Off Camps at Bunny Ears Art House. For brunch in Chicago, fill your belly with Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Collard Greens, Shrimp and Grits, or Chicken and Waffles at Luella’s Southern Kitchen. Check out dishes like the Fuji Mountain Roll, Sushi & Sashimi Combo, or Salmon Teriyaki at Sushi Tokoro. Dig into Manty Pumpkin, Gyuro Lagman, or Nomad Skewers at Jibek Jolu. Or try great Korean food in Chicago like Bibimbap, Kimchi Zigae, or Yumso Jungol at San Soo Gab San.
Mount Greenwood
Searching for a safe, affordable Chicago neighborhood where you can buy a house? Mount Greenwood on the South Side is about 30 minutes outside of the city center, making it ideal for those seeking an area with a more suburban feel. Homes in this neighborhood are often in Georgian, Cape Cod, and bungalow styles, and many boast large yards. Additionally, with top-rated private schools like Marist High School, Brother Rice High School, and Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School—as well as the private Saint Xavier University—Mount Greenwood is a top destination for families who want their kids to receive a high-quality education close to home.
Things to Do in Mount Greenwood
Play tennis and softball in the summer or ice skate in the winter at Mount Greenwood Park. Shop for comic books and other pop culture items at Alternate Reality. Hit the links, hang out by the pool, or take the family out to dinner when you become a member at Ridge Country Club. Order unique breakfast dishes like The Opa! Omelette, Very Berry Pancakes, or Elvis Waffle at Bacon & Jam. Feast on Catfish, Ocean Perch, or Jumbo Sized Shrimp at South Side Shrimp. Get Chicken Wings, the Big Easy Platter, or Bruschetta appetizers while listening to live music at 115 Bourbon Street. Drink Sangria Swirl Margaritas with the Milanesa Chicken or Carne Asada at Grant’s La Fiesta. Or try Deep Dish pizza, Manicotti, and a Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich at Barraco’s.
The Loop
Want to live in the heart of Chicago’s energy and culture? Located near top Chicago attractions, the Loop is the place to be! This downtown neighborhood is perfect for professionals, students, and anyone who loves the buzz of city life. With stunning high-rise condos, access to top universities like the DePaul University Loop Campus, and iconic Chicago landmarks like the Chicago Theatre, there’s a little something for everyone. On top of that, the Loop’s unbeatable access to CTA trains, buses, and the Metra Rail makes getting around the city a breeze—and the neighborhood’s excellent walkability means you can easily reach nearby destinations on foot!
Things to Do in The Loop
Attend lectures and exhibitions or explore the galleries at the Art Institute of Chicago. Buy tickets to performances like Salonen Conducts Bluebeard’s Castle, Tetzlaff Plays Sibelius, or Bartok Concerto for Orchestra at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Shop ’til you drop at stores like ZARA, Neiman Marcus, and POP MART on The Magnificent Mile. Enjoy blooming flowers in the Lurie Garden, visit public exhibitions like Franz West: Millennium Park, or take photos in front of Cloud Gate—aka “The Bean”—in Millennium Park. Start your morning with an Espresso Macchiato, Chai Latte, or Matcha Latte from Hero Coffee & Bagel Bar. Chow down on a Tuscan Panini, The Tavern Burger, or Mediterranean Chicken Pita at Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe. Savor delicious flavors with dishes like the Hudson Canyon Scallops, Chicken Fried Lobster, or Venison Burger at The Gage. Or try Turkey Martonne, Jeff Garlin’s Veggie Cobb, or the #44 at Eleven City Diner.
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The Extra Space Storage team is committed to helping people find the perfect place to call home no matter what stage of life they’re at. Our “Best Places to Live” picks, are designed to make moving easier by providing accurate and comprehensive information on various metro areas across the country. We consider factors like cost of living, job opportunities, local attractions, education, and more to help those looking to move make an informed decision. Discover more about our methodology today.
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
