Neighborhoods
lakeview
CHICAGO
As a Cubs season ticket holder, I am fortunate enough to call Lakeview my home on many summer nights. It's important to note that Lakeview is a vast neighborhood, with variations in nightlife, dining options, and even demographics between the East and West sections.
getting
AROUND
Part of the reason that Lake View is such a destination for many is that it’s so easy to access by car or public transportation. Lake Shore Drive can be accessed from Belmont Avenue and Irving Park Road, presenting drivers with a 10-minute drive to the Loop. The CTA Red and Brown lines stop at the Belmont Station, and Cubs fans can take the Red Line right to the ballpark, stopping at Addison.
Dimensions/Coordinates of the Neighborhood
North Boundary: Irving Park Road (4000N)
South Boundary: Diversey Avenue (2800N)
West Boundary: Ravenswood Avenue (1800W)
East Boundary: The Lake
Commute Times
The Loop 31m by train, 21m by car
Merchandise Mart 25m by train, 20m by car
Union Station 32m by train, 23m by car
Millennium Park 35m by train, 16m by car
Located on Chicago's North Side between Lincoln Park and Uptown, Lakeview is a diverse and lively neighborhood that offers some of the best lakefront property in the city. This area is a blend of different sub-neighborhoods, including Wrigleyville, Southport Corridor, Boystown, and Lake View East, each with its unique character and charm.
Wrigleyville is known for its bustling bar and nightlife scene, with the famous Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, as its centerpiece. Southport Cooridor is extremely desirable with its 4-block strip on Southport with ample shopping, restaurants, coffee, and bars. Boystown is the heart of Chicago's LGBTQ+ community, centered around North Halsted Street. Meanwhile, Lake View East boasts a mix of retail stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and record shops, making it a great destination for shopping and dining.
Lakeview residents enjoy a range of public amenities, including the neighborhood's beaches, the lakefront bike trail, and Belmont Harbor, one of the city's largest harbors for recreational boats. The area also hosts various festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Lake View East Festival of Arts, the Lake View Music Fest, and the Pride Parade, one of the city's most vibrant and festive celebrations.
If you're looking for a neighborhood that offers a diverse and exciting lifestyle, Lakeview is the perfect place to call home.
Housing Stock
As of May 2023, the median home value in Lakeview is around $605,000, and the median rent price is $2,500 per month.
The neighborhood has seen steady growth in property values over the years and is considered one of the more desirable areas to live in Chicago.
Shopping
Dining
Nightlife
The baseball-themed sports bars, including the Cubby Bear, Murphy’s Bleachers, Sluggers, and (my fave) Bernies Tap & Grill, are the loudest and most conspicuous nightlife options in Wrigleyville, but by no means are they the only options. Metro, located just a block north of Wrigley Field, is one of Chicago’s premier rock clubs, and the after-party usually takes place downstairs, at Smart Bar.
Comedy clubs in the neighborhood include the iO Theater, ComedySportz Theatre, and Chemically Imbalanced Comedy.
Vegetarian food is popular Lakeview too, with such standbys as the Chicago Diner and the Pick Me Up Café.
Schools
Although outsiders associate Lake View with baseball and nightlife, families are drawn to some of Chicago’s most coveted public school districts. The James G. Blaine School is one of the most popular public primary schools in the city. Hamilton, Burley, and Nettelhorst elementary schools are also popular options in the neighborhood
Around the block
A lively, pocketed community and home to Wrigley Field, Lakeview is as dedicated to the lifestyle of twenty-somethings and families as it is to die-hard Cubs fans.
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THE NEIGHBORS
College students, young professionals, and dedicated baseball fans.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A “sports and spirits” energy that lasts from day to night.
THE LIFESTYLE
A flurry of game day and lakefront activity.
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
Phenomenal entertainment at historic venues.
THE MARKET
Affordable vintage walk-ups, pricier single-family homes and condos, and a burgeoning array of high-end, mixed-use developments.
YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
The palpable energy and terrific access to the lake.