a free and hassle-free service

Transcription

1 a free and hassle-free service

2 THE PET CARE PROFESSIONALS FOR CHICAGO EXCITED ABOUT YOUR MOVE? SO ARE WE. We won t help you unpack, but we can help you adjust to your new home and lifestyle. Urban Out Sitters can care for your pet whether you want time away from home to explore your new neighborhood or if your pet needs a trip to the spa to rejuvenate. Getting ready to make that move? We can help with our cage-free boarding services. We also offer free pickup and return of your pet safely to your home and you don t even need to be there. Our other services include premier dog walking services and cat sitting services. After five years of service, we were recently awarded Best Dog Day Care and Best Pet Hotel by Chicago Magazine. We are licensed and bonded as well as Red Cross Certified in pet first aid and CPR so you know your pet is in good hands. Visit us at UrbanOutSitters.com to see the many other ways we can care for you and your pet PETS URBANOUTSITTERS.COM DAY CARE 24 HOUR CAGE-FREE BOARDING CAT SITTING DOG WALKING GROOMING SPA Welcome to Chicago Apartment Finders We promise that we ll do our best to make your apartment search as easy and enjoyable as possible. In this magazine, you ll find information on Chicago neighborhoods, major events and local resources. We ll also answer some of the questions you might have about the process of finding the right apartment. Finally, we ll give you advice on how to make your move and life in Chicago as pleasant as possible. Chicago Apartment Finders has been a free and hassle-free service since we started the business in an office the size of a closet. Today, we are the leading apartment finding service in Chicago. We also claim the highest success rate in the city and the most satisfied customers. But these stats are meaningless unless we find you a place you ll be proud to call home. To welcome you and your pet to your new home, we would like to provide you with these special offers: Andy Ahitow, Founder Justin Elliott, Founder ONE FREE WEEK OF DAY CARE based on the purchase of one month s service. BOOK FOUR DAYS OF OVERNIGHT BOARDING, PAY FOR TWO BOOK FOUR DAYS OF CAT CARE, PAY FOR TWO Some restrictions apply. First time customers only. Please provide coupon at the time of purchase. Copies of any coupon will not be accepted. CAF_7/07_001 Some restrictions apply. First time customers only. Please provide coupon at the time of purchase. Copies of any coupon will not be accepted. CAF_7/07_002 Some restrictions apply. First time customers only. Please provide coupon at the time of purchase. Copies of any coupon will not be accepted. CAF_7/07_002

3 CONTENTS Frequently Asked Questions 4 Welcome Home 6-8 Find the Right Apartment 8 Roommate Placement 8 Renter Resources, continued Finding Your Perfect Health Club 35 Renter s Insurance 36 Finding a Bank That Works For You 37 Parking in Chicago 37 What To Do In Chicago Chicago Neighborhoods Chicago Neighborhoods Map 11 Renter Resources Moving Check List 28 Connecting Your Utilities 29 Phone, Cable, and Internet Service 30 Packing List 30 Decorating a Small Space 31 City Dogs 32 Chicago Apartment Finders 3

4 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How, Why, What and When? You ve got questions, we ve got answers. Here are a few of our clients most common concerns. Who is Chicago Apartment Finders? In November of 2002 Chicago Apartment Finders was launched in an office the size of a closet, the brainchild of two guys who were sick of the headaches that come with finding a new place to live. We started out with no clients and some big dreams. Basically, we wanted to end the hassles renters endure while searching for that perfect apartment. Today, Chicago Apartment Finders is the leading free apartment finding service in Chicago. In just five years, we ve established the highest success rate in the city. Those are some impressive stats on paper, but they don t mean much unless we find you a place you will be proud to call home. How much will it cost to use your services? Nothing. Seriously. Our waiting areas are designed like cozy apartments. SO HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY? Area landlords pay us a fee for helping them find qualified tenants like you. How do I know that I am viewing quality apartments at fair prices? Our service is simply a link between renters and property owners. We don t own or manage any of the properties in our database. Our earnings are the same no matter which unit you choose to rent, so there s never any pressure on you to take one place over another. That means we re able to focus entirely on finding a space that suits your specific needs. We firmly believe that pleasing one customer will lead to many more customers. More than 30% of our business comes from referrals from satisfied clients, so it s in our best interest to make your apartment hunting experience as smooth as possible. When should I begin looking for an apartment? We suggest beginning your search roughly 45 days prior to your move-in date. This will give you time to view a selection of the best apartments available on the market. But should you need an apartment ASAP, we can find you a great place in no time too. What is the difference between a condo and an apartment? First, we need to make a distinction between apartment buildings and condo buildings. An apartment building is made up of multiple units owned by the same person or company. A condo building has multiple units as well, but these are all owned by different individuals. These terms can be confusing when condo owners refer to their units as apartments. Can I rent an apartment without actually looking at it? Absolutely. We will work closely with you over the phone and send you digital photos of listings that interest you. We want you to feel at home. How are you different from other apartment locators? We re believers in karma here. If our customers and our employees are happy, good things are going to keep coming our way. We ve hunted for apartments in Chicago ourselves, and we know it s no easy task. We know that this city offers a lot of options for apartment seekers, so all we can do is strive to lead the field in customer service and satisfaction. Can I rent for less than 12 months? Yes, our database includes many clients looking to sublet their units for one to 11 months. WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME FOR THE APARTMENT SEARCH? You will need a photo ID. We also recommend bringing a camera and a note pad. You ll be looking at a number of places, so it s helpful to compare notes and pictures. What form of payment can I use for my first month s rent and security deposit? We accept the following types of payment: Master Card Personal Check Visa Cash American Express Certified Funds Discover Debit Card What if I have no credit history or a challenged credit history? You wouldn t be the first. We are accustomed to working with each client s different needs and will do our best to help you out. How much will my security deposit be? When do I get it back? This depends on your landlord. On average, most landlords ask for a one-month security deposit, but some collect a move-in fee in lieu of a security deposit. Legally, a landlord must return the security deposit minus unpaid rent and money for any damages within 45 days from the day you move out. It s always a good idea to take pictures of the unit before you move in and after you leave. So what exactly happens when I sign my lease? After you are approved for the apartment, you ll get a call from our Processing Department. Depending on the owner or management company, you ll come to one of our offices or their location to sign your lease. This is also when you ll need to pay your security deposit and make arrangements to get your keys. DO I NEED RENTER S INSURANCE? Most landlords will require you to secure renter s insurance. Even if yours doesn t, we definitely think it s a good idea. Most renter s insurance plans cost less than $30 a month and will protect all of your personal belongings. Better safe than sorry. What will I need when I apply for an apartment? Current/previous landlord phone and fax number Current/previous employer phone and fax number Driver s license or photo identification Income verification, if self-employed Co-signer application, if a student or unemployed Student loan documentation, if student Two most recent pay stubs What if I have to sublet? Life happens. We understand that. If you have to move before your lease is up, we ll be happy to help sublet your apartment. To take advantage of this service, visit www. chicagoapartmentfinders.com. Chicago Apartment Finders 4 Chicago Apartment Finders 5

5 Welcome home: How I found an apartment, got a good cup of coffee and made it home in time for lunch I should tell you right from the start that I m an artist. I ve got the art school degree, the tasteful body art, an ipod full of obscure bands from the late 60s the whole artsy nine yards. More specifically, I m a writer. I ve been working on a novel for a few years now, and I m starting to feel like the end is in sight. When folks like me go looking for apartments, we re not generally seeking luxury or pampering. What we want is a reasonably comfortable space that allows us maximum freedom to do what we do: make art. It was already sweltering when I arrived at the Chicago Apartment Finders office on Belmont Avenue. I was slightly late for my 9 a.m. appointment, my bus having been stuck in traffic for nearly an hour. The traffic tie-up perfectly underlined my motivation for moving. I d been living on Chicago s far Northwest side for four years. I worked mostly from home, doing freelance writing for various magazines and newspapers, but recently I d had to leave the house frequently for interviews and editorial meetings in more fast-paced parts of the city. While I liked the peace and quiet of my neighborhood, I was tired of having to budget a couple of hours for travel anytime I wanted to go somewhere....my whole apartment hunting experience was kind of like that cup of coffee: I would have been satisfied with just the basics, but everything was better than it had to be. I could feel the first twinges of a headache coming on as the bus finally wheezed to a stop at Sheffield and Belmont. Clearly, I hadn t had enough coffee before leaving my apartment. Thankfully, the office had me covered. After I exchanged a friendly greeting with the receptionist and filled out a couple of simple forms, I hit the well-equipped kitchen area and poured myself a cup of coffee. I was startled to find that this was genuinely good coffee, not the day-old, freeze-dried swill served in most waiting rooms. I took this as a good sign. As it turned out, my whole apartment hunting experience was kind of like that cup of coffee: I would have been satisfied with just the basics, but everything was better than it had to be. After a few minutes of sipping coffee and flipping through a copy of The Onion, I met my leasing agent, a charming, professional woman named Ashley. they drive you around and have a sense of humor much did I want to spend? How important were amenities like laundry and dishwashers? Did I need to be near public transportation? After processing my answers, she took a few minutes to pull together a handful of likely candidates. Then we hopped into her car and hit the road. Our first stop was the 18th floor of a high rise. I d told her that high rise living wasn t my first choice, but Ashley said she wanted to show me one just to be sure. One look at the view and I was glad she did. The place featured two large picture windows, one boasting a full-on view of Wrigley Field, the other looking out over the majestic downtown skyline. The rest of the apartment was clean and well-maintained, with a big kitchen and a ton of closet space. There was even a private basketball court on the ground level, fulfilling one of my lifelong dreams. Still, it was all a little slicker than my usual tastes. I had to admit the place was impressive, but I m just never going to be a high rise guy. That s no problem. I just wanted you to try it on for size. It helps me to figure out what you re looking for. Ashley said. Don t worry, no more high rises today. We drove a few blocks, chatting amiably about the many neighborhoods of Chicago. The next apartment was in a small building on a quiet side Ashley asked what exactly I was looking for in an apartment. I gave her a fairly vague description of a cat friendly one-bedroom in the Lakeview area (We artsy types aren t always that good with details). Undaunted, Ashley asked me for a few more specifics. How my new street Chicago Apartment Finders 6 Chicago Apartment Finders 7

6 street. This too was a pretty nice place, with freshly painted walls and a kitchen big enough for me to whip up my famous chicken jambalaya with ease, but somehow it just didn t grab me. I tried to picture myself sitting up late nights in the living room, pounding away at that elusive novel. I couldn t quite see it. I asked Ashley a few questions about pet deposits and utilities. She had all of the answers, but I think she could tell my heart wasn t in it. And so it was on to the next spot. As soon as Ashley parked the car, I could tell we were getting warmer. This was an older-looking brick building with a small courtyard and ivy-covered walls the type of place that really says Chicago. It was just a couple of blocks off the happening nightlife scene on Halsted great for when I felt like going out but the building was on a secluded street that would shelter me from the shenanigans of the party crowd when I wanted to work. Ashley guided me into the apartment, a homey space with hardwood floors, well-used fixtures and a sunny living room. I suddenly realized the quality I d been looking for but hadn t been able to name: character. This place clearly had some history. It was lived in. I felt right at home from the moment I stepped in the door. Here, I could finish my novel in no time. Having an agent like Ashley on hand to do the legwork took all of the pain out of the process. In fact, it became downright enjoyable. You planned this, didn t you? I asked Ashley as I cast a last admiring look at the place. You somehow figured out my tastes and you ve been building up to my perfect apartment. Ashley just smiled. This isn t my first showing. I can usually read my clients pretty well. I think you re really going to like this next place. She was right, of course. The final apartment was very similar to its predecessor it had the hardwood floors, the cozy courtyard, the sense of character. But a couple of factors made this place even more ideal. One, it was just a few blocks from Lake Michigan and the lakefront bike path. Two, it included a small balcony for those moments when I just had to get out of the house. And three, it was within half a block of not one but two gourmet coffee shops, an incredibly appealing arrangement for any writer. You ve got yourself a renter, I told Ashley. She looked pleased but not surprised. On our drive back to the leasing office, I thought back on some of my previous apartment hunting experiences. I ve blown more than one weekend dialing every number in the newspaper classifieds, only to hear that 90% of the places are already rented. I can t even guess how many hours I ve spent bicycling around cities keeping my eyes peeled for For Rent signs, then making appointments at places that turn out to be nothing like what I m looking for. Having an agent like Ashley on hand to do the legwork took all of the pain out of the process. In fact, it became downright enjoyable. Come next month, I m looking forward to spending a lot less time on the bus and a lot more time sipping coffee and typing in my humble new abode. If I m not careful, I might even wind up finishing that novel. How we find you a great place to live. Let s walk through a typical visit to your nearest Chicago Apartment Finders office. Your first step is filling out a client information form. This tells a little about who you are and what we need to do to make you happy. Once that s done, help yourself to a soda or some fresh-brewed coffee and take a seat in our cozy waiting area. Within a few minutes, you ll be assigned a leasing agent who ll sit down with you and chat about your tastes, your price range and what neighborhoods appeal to you most. Using that information, your agent scrolls through our thousands-strong database of properties and selects four to eight apartments that most closely meet your criteria. Now it s time to hit the street. For the next two to four hours, your agent will drive you around your ideal neighborhood and guide you through the selected apartments. Feel free to ask any questions that spring to mind, and don t hesitate to let your agent know about any concerns you have. If you don t find the perfect place on your first outing, we ll be glad to take you out as many times as it takes to put you in an apartment that works for you. Once we ve found a spot you love, it s back to our office to fill out an application that will secure the apartment. Our entire processing department is at your disposal to make this yet another hassle-free step toward putting you in your dream home. ROOMMATE PLACEMENT Not only are we devoted to finding you a place to live, we can also help you find someone to share that space. Our roommate matching system has a proven track record, bringing together thousands of compatible people to live under the same roofs. Like most of our services, it s a fairly simple process. You ll fill out a questionnaire that gives us a better idea of who you are and who you d like to live with. Once that s done, you ll have access to our private listing of personal profiles from around the city. Our database is continually updated, so check in often. Our contact center is available seven days a week to answer any questions you might have. Just visit and click on Roommate Center to get started. Chicago Apartment Finders 8

7 NEIGHBORHOOD RENT RANGES Neighborhood studio 1 BR 2 BR 3 BR Albany Park Andersonville N/A Bucktown N/A Buena Park East Village/River West Edgewater Gold Coast Humboldt Park Lakeview/Wrigleyville Lincoln Park Lincoln Square/Ravenswood Logan Square N/A Old Irving Park Old Town River North Rogers Park Roscoe Village N/A South/West Loop Streeterville Tri-Taylor Ukrainian Village N/A UIC/Pilsen Uptown Wicker Park N/A Chicago Neighborhoods 90 The City of Chicago has more than 70 neighborhoods. The following pages will give you an introduction to many of these diverse communities. Our leasing agents will also provide you with more information while showing you around Chicago Apartment Finders 10 Chicago Apartment Finders 11

8 e Seeley Hoyne Willow St Paul Wolfram Damen Winchester Wolcott Honore Wood Hermitage Paulina Marshfield Damen Wicker Park Winchester Lister Wolcott Elk Grove Honore Kennedy Expwy Avondale MID NORTH NEIGHBORHOODs Bloomingdale Wabansia Wood Pierce Paulina Marshfield Terra Cotta Elston Medill LeMoyne Julian Holly Metra Clybourn Wolfram Ashland Bosworth Greenview Montana Mendell Homer Lill Janssen Southport Wayne Shakespeare Dickens McLean Dominick Elston Besly Schubert Wrightwood Draper Lill Altgeld Montana Cortland Willow Ada Wabansia Wayne Lakewood Concord Noble Throop Surrey Magnolia Racine Magnolia Magnolia LeMoyne Belden Dickens Diversey Lincoln Fullerton Webster Clifton Seminary Kenmore Sheffield Bissell Fremont Dayton Armitage Clifton Kenmore Wisconsin Jonquil Park Poe Maud CTA Red Line CTA Brown Line Wolfram Diversey Wilton Mildred Dayton Wisconsin Willow Concord Weed Fullerton DePaul University Armitage Fremont Dayton Halsted Halsted Blackhawk Schubert Burling Orchard Burling Orchard Concord Weed Drummond Oz Park Kemper Cambridge Belden Grant Howe Larrabee Geneva Mohawk Cleveland Hudson Hudson Vine Clark Deming Lehmann Arlington Lincoln Hampden Menomonee Meyer North CTA Brown Line Pine Grove Blackhawk Wrightwood St. James Roslyn Arlington Fern Sedgwick Orleans Lincoln Park West Orleans Commonwealth Lincoln Park West Stockton Webster Dickens Armitage Hudson Sedgwick Wisconsin Eugenie Concord Orleans Nature Museum Fullerton North Park Crilly Crilly Wells Wieland Clark Lincoln Park Zoo Cannon Lake Shore Drive Lagoon LINCOLN P ARK LaSalle Chicago Historical Society Burton Astor LAKE MICHIGAN North Avenue Beach Hamilton Oakley Bell Leavitt Hamilton Hoyne Seeley Damen Oakley Diversey Oakdale Logan Irving Park Leavitt Hamilton Hoyne Clybourn MID NORTH NEIGHBORHOODs Seeley Hamlin Park Seeley Damen Hoyne Cuyler Irving Park Larchmont Byron Berenice Grace Bradley Waveland Patterson Addison Eddy Cornelia Roscoe School Wolcott Newport Henderson Melrose Belmont Fletcher Nelson Wolcott Oakdale George Wolfram Wolcott Ravenswood Ravenswood Ravenswood Hermitage Paulina Marshfield Ashland Bosworth Greenview Janssen Southport Wayne Paulina CTA Brown Line Cuyler Cuyler Bittersweet Henderson Melrose George Wolfram Paulina Marshfield Ashland Bosworth Greenview Wayne Southport Byron Lakewood Magnolia Eddy Cornelia Newport Racine Clifton Clifton Seminary Patterson Addison Fletcher Barry Nelson Wellington Oakdale Southport Wayne Schubert Magnolia Racine Diversey Lincoln Alta Vista Kenmore Sheridan Wrigley Field Seminary Kenmore Sheffield Kenmore CTA Red Line Irving Park Dakin Byron Grace Waveland Addison Bradley Wilton Fremont Reta Clark Newport Dayton Belmont Fletcher Dayton Wellington Sheridan Brompton Cornelia Buckingham Aldine ROGERS PARK Wolfram Diversey Halsted Wilton Mildred Dayton Halsted Broadway Elaine Schubert Patterson Belmont Briar Barry Pine Grove Orchard Waterloo Brompton Stratford Broadway Drummond Hawthorne Barry Wellington Oakdale Clark Lehmann Cambridge Surf Roscoe Aldine Melrose Pine Grove Hampden Pine Grove Hudson Briar Lake Shore Dr Sheridan Wrightwood Commonwealth Belmont Harbor LINCOLN P ARK LAKE MICHIGAN Lake Shore Drive LINCOLN PARK The neighborhood that borders Lincoln Park takes the same name and offers a huge variety of trendy boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, theaters and cinemas including the world famous Steppenwolf Theatre and Chicago s off-loop theater district. The Park itself is over one mile long and encompasses over 1000 acres of public park stretching from North Avenue to Diversey along the lake. Lincoln Park is well known for it s free world class zoo, golf driving range, baseball fields, and lengthy paths for biking and running. Housing options include contemporary townhouses and condos, Victorian three-flats, walk-ups, vintage mansions, and towering high-rises overlooking Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park. A small, well known neighborhood within Lincoln Park is Old Town, home to the famous Second City, the training ground for such comedians as John Belushi, Joan Rivers and other popular stars. This area is popular for shopping and excellent restaurants. Be sure to visit the Old Town Art Fair, an annual event that takes place in early June. MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS Chicago Historical Society Clark Street at North Avenue Lincoln Park Zoo 2200 N. Cannon Drive Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N. Cannon Drive Lincoln Park Conservatory 2351 N. Stockton Drive THEATERS Steppenwolf Theater 758 W. North Avenue North & Clybourn Second City 1616 N. Wells North & Wells Loews Webster Place 1471 W. Webster Webster & Clybourn Loews Pipers Alley 1608 N. Wells North & Wells Three Penny Cinema 2424 N. Lincoln Lincoln & Fullerton Biograph Theater 2433 N. Lincoln Lincoln & Fullerton N. Clybourn Clybourn & Wrightwood 959 W. Fullerton Fullerton & Sheffield Trader Joe s 1840 N. Clybourn Clybourn & Sheffield Treasure Island 2121 N. Clybourn Clybourn & Lakewood 1639 N. Wells North & Wells Whole Foods 1000 W. North Avenue North & Sheffield LAKEVIEW Located just north of Lincoln Park, Lakeview is a vibrant neighborhood infused with nightclubs and restaurants. This is considered one of the most active areas of Chicago with the highest concentration of 24 to 34 year-olds in the country. The Clark, Belmont, and Broadway shopping districts offer a wide variety of stores that cater to all needs. You will find vintage dresses next door to biker jackets, and health spas down the street from tattoo parlors. A large percentage of the buildings in this neighborhood are Graystones or brick two- and three-flats, but you will also find a significant number of high-rise and mid-rise buildings along Lake Shore Drive. Wrigleyville is an energetic section of Lakeview surrounding Wrigley Field, the historic home of the Chicago Cubs. Wrigleyville is packed with unique clothing stores, specialty boutiques, and antique galleries. You will also encounter the well known Music Box Theater and a bevy of fine restaurants (come prepared as many are BYOB). The wide variety of clubs and bars along Addison and Clark offer excellent night life. Whether you want a ballgame, ball gown, gourmet food, or a good night out, you re sure to find it in Lakeview. Go Cubs! ATTRACTIONS Wrigley Field Clark & Addison CUBS Music Box Theater 3733 N. Southport Vic Theater - Brew & View 3145 N. Sheffield VIEW Century Center Cinema 2828 N. Clark Jewel Addison & Southport Broadway & Brompton Ashland & Oakdale Broadway & Wellington Whole Foods Ashland & School Treasure Island Broadway & Stratford POLICE STATION Addison & Halsted FIRE STATIONS Waveland & Seminary Halsted & Diversey Chicago Apartment Finders 12 Chicago Apartment Finders 13

9 MID NORTH NEIGHBORHOODs NEAR NORTH NEIGHBORHOODs ROSCOE VILLAGE BUENA PARK GOLD COAST RIVER NORTH Roscoe Village is a neighborhood bordering the Lakeview community offering a small town feel. It has a restaurant and shopping strip on Roscoe Street stretching from Damen to Western Avenue. Antique Row, the largest concentration of A small pocket in the southeast corner of Uptown, Buena Park is north of Lakeview and steps from Lake Michigan. Buena Park is close to Wrigleyville, which means the many shops, restaurants and bars, as well as Wrigley Field, are just a short distance by foot. The Gold Coast is the residential area adjacent to the Magnificent Mile (the famous mile-long stretch of Michigan Avenue which is home to world-class shopping). This neighborhood dates back to 1882 and hosts extensive high rises, brownstones, and one-of-a-kind mansions. A growing neighborhood filled with art galleries, antique shopping and interior design service, River North has been compared to Manhattan s Soho area. antique stores in the Midwest, is a five block stretch on Belmont from Damen to Western. Retro on Roscoe is an annual neighborhood festival that takes place in August. There you will find a vintage car show, popular bands appearing on three stages, and booths overflowing with art, jewelry, and crafts. Delicious food, soft drinks, and cold beer can be found on Roscoe Street between Damen Avenue and Leavitt Street. Located just four miles from the Loop, Roscoe Village is easily Residents have immediate access to Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan for running, boating, volleyball, biking and enjoying the lake. Buena Park was once one of the most fashionable places in the city to live at the turn of the century and has recently begun to regain its former status. New construction developments are consistent in scale and appearance with the many vintage buildings that are undergoing condominium conversions. The Gold Coast offers magnificent views of Lake Michigan and the man-made Oak Street Beach is just steps away. The intersection of Rush and Division offers some of the most popular bars and restaurants in the city. The Gold Coast is also home to the Newberry Library, an independent research library concentrating in the humanities, with an active educational and cultural presence in Chicago. It houses an extensive non-circulating collection of rare books, maps and manuscripts. The Newberry Library is adjacent to the Washington Square Park. River North also contains more trendy restaurants and dance clubs than anyone could hit in a month of weekends. The neighborhood covers a wide area and has an interesting blend of architecture, including new town homes and mid-rise condominium developments. The area is attracting urban dwellers who love the proximity to the Loop and the Financial District. River North is also home to the Merchandise Mart, recently renovated into a first-class shopping center for home design and fashion. accessible by Lake Shore Drive, I-90/I-94 and the CTA Brown Line. Two colleges, Truman College and St. Augustine, call this area MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES THEATERS & ATTRACTIONS THEATERS Griffin Theatre Co 3711 N. Ravenswood Ravenswood & Waveland Porchlight Theatre Ensemble 1919 W. Oakdale Oakdale & Wolcott Trader Joe s 3745 N. Lincoln Lincoln & Waveland Whole Foods 3300 N. Ashland Ashland & School 3350 N. Western Western & Roscoe home. Chicago s most famous cemetery, Graceland, is also in the area and contains magnificent tombs of many of 19th-century Chicago s greatest architects, mayors and business men. Music Box 3733 N. Southport Southport & Waveland N. Sheridan Sheridan & Montrose Aldi 4450 N. Broadway Broadway & Montrose Museum of Contemporary Art 220 E. Chicago Ave Chicago & Michigan Newberry Library 60 W. Walton Walton & Clark Loews Esquire 58 E. Oak Oak & State N. Clark Clark & Division Treasure Island 75 W. Elm Elm & Dearborn Potash Brothers 875 N. State State & Chestnut Loyola School of Law Kendall College Northwestern University THEATERS Lowes Theater 600 N. Michigan Michigan & Ohio AMC River East 322 E. Illinois Illinois & Park Goodman Theater 170 N. Dearborn Dearborn & Randolph Whole Foods 30 W. Huron Huron & Dearborn 550 N. State State & Grand Chicago Apartment Finders 14 Chicago Apartment Finders 15

10 DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODs FAR NORTH NEIGHBORHOODs STREETERVILLE LOOP UPTOWN ANDERSONVILLE Streeterville is named after George Wellington Cap Streeter, who ran his schooner aground a sandbar near Michigan Avenue in Unable to dislodge his boat, he turned it into his home. Over time, landfill turned that part of Lake Michigan into land and Streeter laid claim to 168 acres. Though he was eventually evicted, Streeter remained on the land until his death in For more than a hundred years, the Loop has been the business center of Chicago. So named because of the El (elevated) train that loops around it, this district encompasses towering skyscrapers including the Sears Tower, the Chicago Board of Trade and the Art Institute of Chicago. County and State buildings are located here, as well as many theaters, restaurants and universities. Uptown is located between Lakeview and Edgewater. Some of the best live music in Chicago can be found here, from jazz to rock and everything in between. Uptown is home to the Green Mill, once a speakeasy of the infamous Al Capone and now a world-class destination for jazz musicians. Southwest of Edgewater, Andersonville is an old Swedish neighborhood. Although many of the Swedish residents are gone, the heritage is maintained in clean architecture, neighborhood bakeries and gift shops as well as the Swedish American Museum. Located between the Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan and bounded on the south by the Chicago River, Streeterville s main attractions include Navy Pier, North Pier and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Navy Pier is a popular tourist stop with over 50 acres of parks and gardens, shopping, restaurants and attractions. Ride the 50 Grant Park, home of the famous Buckingham Fountain, plays host to the Taste of Chicago every summer. During this two week festival, over 3 million people gather to sample food from over 65 restaurants and to enjoy free performances by local and national acts at one of the four stages. Additionally, every Tuesday evening during the summer months people gather here with picnic baskets and blankets to enjoy classic films played on an outdoor 50 x34 movie screen for free. Spacious mansions and apartment buildings have been renovated and restored over the past 20 years. This neighborhood is home to Foster Beach and Montrose Harbor and has easy access to Lake Shore Drive and Lincoln Park. A small pocket of Uptown is Buena Park which is only a short walk from the Wrigleyville section of Lakeview. Small cafes, galleries, book shops, antique stores and experimental theaters are found along Andersonville s tree-lined streets. This is a clean-swept, long-established neighborhood with many single family homes and two-flats. Ferris wheel, watch world-class performers at the Skyline Stage and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and enjoy the 3-D movies COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES THEATERS at the IMAX Theater. MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS Illinois Institute of Art John Marshall Law School DePaul College of Law Argosy University Gene Siskel Film Center 164 N. State State & Randolph Historic Uptown Theater 4816 N. Broadway Broadway & Lawrence N. Sheridan Sheridan & Broadway Chicago Children s Museum 700 E. Grand Navy Pier Navy Pier Imax 600 E. Grand MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS Art Institute of Chicago 111 S. Michigan Ave. Michigan & Monroe S. Wabash Wabash & Roosevelt Riviera Theater 4746 N. Racine Racine & Lawrence MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS Aldi 4450 N. Broadway Broadway & Sheridan MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS Swedish-American Museum 5211 N. Clark Clark & Foster N. Clark Clark & Catalpa Navy Pier 600 E. Grand N. State State & Grand Chicago Cultural Center 78 E. Washington Washington & Michigan S. Canal Canal & Roosevelt Vietnam War Museum 954 W. Carmen Carmen & Sheridan Town & Country Conservatories 1475 W. Foster Foster & Clark N. Sheridan Sheridan & Foster Chicago Apartment Finders 16 Chicago Apartment Finders 17

11 FAR NORTH NEIGHBORHOODs NORTH CENTER NEIGHBORHOODs Mozart California Agatite Windsor Rockwell Maplewood Campbell Artesian Pensacola Claremont Oakley Welles Park Windsor Agatite Montrose Lincoln Pensacola Cullom Winchester Wolcott Honore Ravenswood Wilson Sunnyside Montrose Cullom Horner Park Hutchinson Warner Claremont Hutchinson Berteau Warner Belle Plaine Hermitage Paulina Revere Park Bradley Cuyler Dakin Bernice Irving Park Hamilton Seeley Cuyler Irving Park Larchmont Byron Berenice Grace Bradley CTA Brown Line Ravenswood Ravenswood Talman Campbell Artesian Western Claremont Oakley Bell Leavitt Hamilton Hoyne Seeley Damen Waveland Patterson Addison Hermitage Paulina Marshfield Ashland B h Rockwell Eddy Wolcott Cornelia Newport EDGEWATER ROGERS PARK LINCOLN SQUARE / RAVENSWOOD Roscoe Henderson Melrose ST. BENS Campbell Melrose Roscoe Roscoe Henderson School Melrose Ravenswood Paulina Edgewater lies between Lakeview and Rogers Park. Known for its diversity, Edgewater is home to Chicago s New Chinatown with popular restaurants and shops owned by refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The Edgewater Beach Hotel, a pink Spanish-style structure, opened in 1916 and soon became the place to be seen in Chicago. This lavish resort dominated the lakefront for almost 50 years and hosted celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Babe Ruth. The hotel closed its doors in the 1950s and the remaining structure has been renovated and is now condominiums. Housing options in Edgewater are diverse. You will find high rises, condominiums, mid-rise buildings and single family homes. As Chicago s northernmost neighborhood, Rogers Park is one of the only communities with buildings that have direct access to Lake Michigan and some even offer semi-private beaches. This neighborhood is only a 15 minute train ride to the Loop. The neighborhood boasts eight beautiful beaches, many small parks and eclectic shopping areas influenced by a diversity of cultures. Housing ranges from large Victorians and bungalows to converted condos and multi-unit buildings. This is a growing community with hundreds of new buildings being developed every year. Rogers Park is also the home of Loyola University. More than 10,000 students live and play in this neighborhood. The heart of Lincoln Square is found where Lincoln, Western and Lawrence Avenues intersect. With leafy residential streets and remarkable architecture from beautiful old wood-frame Victorians to brick and graystone two- and three-flats, this neighborhood is also known for its many parks. Shopping includes a mixture of independent and one-of-a-kind businesses with a diverse selection of European and American merchandise. Traditional and new, trendy restaurants, a number of ethnic cafes and diverse entertainment abound. Ravenswood is a small neighborhood on the north side of Chicago located northwest of Lakeview. Ravenswood is off the beaten path but still maintains a close proximity to downtown, making commuting to work simple with easy access to the expressway and the Brown El line. Located just north of Roscoe Village, St. Bens is a well-established community convenient to the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/I-94) and Lake Shore Drive. Residents enjoy low-density living and a short walk to the local butcher shop or bakery. Characterized by brick two-flats and frame single-family homes on tree-lined streets, St. Ben s also features many newer town home developments and loft conversions. St. Ben s is also home to Bell Elementary School, a well-respected public school named after Alexander Graham Bell. Involved in the planning of the school, Bell s goal was to educate hearing and deaf children together and all students still learn American Sign Language N. Clark Clark & Catalpa 5343 N. Broadway Broadway & Balmoral 6009 N. Broadway Broadway & Elmdale COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES Loyola University Northwestern University (in Evanston) Village North 6746 N. Sheridan Sheridan & Columbia THEATERS Boxer Rebellion Theater 1257 W. Loyola Loyola & Lakewood W. Howard Howard & Hermitage 6623 N. Damen Damen & Albion Shops, bars and restaurants represent a wide range of cultures and its housing ranges from beautiful Victorian homes on large lots to spacious vintage apartments in courtyard buildings. Aldi 2431 W. Montrose Montrose & Western 5233 N. Lincoln Lincoln & Foster Davis Theatre 4250 N. Lincoln 4614 N. Lincoln Lincoln & Hutchinson N. Lincoln Lincoln & Hutchinson 3400 N. Western Western & Roscoe Aldi 2431 W. Montrose Montrose & Western THEATERS American Theatre Co W. Byron Byron & Lincoln Chicago Apartment Finders 18 Chicago Apartment Finders 19

12 NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOODs NEAR WEST NEIGHBORHOODs ALBANY PARK OLD IRVING PARK WICKER PARK BUCKTOWN Along the Chicago River and just east of the Edens Expressway lies Albany Park. This neighborhood is halfway between O Hare International Airport and the Chicago Loop. Several bus lines serve the area as well as three stops on the CTA Brown Line. Northwest of downtown Chicago and just west of the Kennedy Expressway is Old Irving Park (also known as Old Irving and Irving Park), a large community full of many smaller shopping districts, each with its own flavor of delis, bakeries, pubs, independent businesses and retail shops. Wicker Park is an eclectic neighborhood with an emphasis on performance art, music and theater, that attracts an offbeat crowd. It also has many independent art galleries, particularly in the Flat Iron Building which features sculptors, painters and mixed-media artists. You ll find Bucktown just to the north of Wicker Park. The neighborhood is made up of new condo buildings and formerly humble cottages now sporting skylights. Gallery Point, the area s central art colony, is bounded by The proximity to the Chicago River provides picturesque views and parks with many sporting and recreational activities. A wide variety of vintage homes and apartment buildings ranging from two-flats to large courtyard buildings as well as single family homes and spacious condominiums make up the area. A refreshing mix of ethnic restaurants, shops and food markets are abundant, especially around the intersection of Lawrence and Kedzie Avenues. Housing in Old Irving ranges from Victorian and bungalow homes to multi-unit apartment buildings. The lots in this area are larger than most you will find in Chicago and the neighborhood is filled with thriving gardens that provide a beautiful backdrop. The CTA Blue Line as well as several bus lines provide transportation and there is easy access to Metra trains and I-90 / I-94. There is a remarkable mix of small businesses, chic boutiques, galleries and trendy restaurants which results in a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood. On an average day in Wicker Park you could be buying a sequined armchair, having a dinner of octopi and chocolate-covered asparagus, getting a tattoo, seeing a thrash band, and watching the sun rise from one of its many late-night clubs. Housing in Wicker Park consists of single family homes and two- and three-flats. Milwaukee, Damen, Wabansia and North Avenues. The Bucktown Arts Fest is held here every August and attracts over 30,000 people. Small neighborhood bars are found on every corner and both North and Damen Avenues boast smoky late-night clubs and stylish bars, shops, and restaurants. MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS Flatiron Building 1581 N. Milwaukee Milwaukee & Damen THEATERS Cinema Borealis 1550 N. Milwaukee Milwaukee & Damen THEATERS The Double Door 1572 N. Milwaukee Damen, Milwaukee & North Ave. Cub Foods 2627 N. Elston Elston & Leavitt Trap Door Productions 1655 W. Cortland Cortland & Paulina Aldi 1767 N. Milwaukee Milwaukee & Bloomingdale Aldi 2600 N. Clybourn Clybourn & Wrightwood Chicago Produce 3500 W. Lawrence Lawrence & St. Louis Jay s Grocery 3003 W. Montrose Montrose & Sacramento 4660 W. Irving Park Rd. Irving Park & Kilpatrick Aldi 3363 N. Milwaukee Milwaukee & Pulaski Chopin Theatre 1543 W. Division Division & Ashland N. Paulina Paulina & Milwaukee AMC Theater 2600 N. Western Western & Logan N. Clybourn Clybourn & Wrightwood Chicago Apartment Finders 20 Chicago Apartment Finders 21

13 NEAR WEST NEIGHBORHOODs NEAR WEST NEIGHBORHOODs UKRAINIAN VILLAGE EAST VILLAGE & RIVER WEST HUMBOLDT PARK LOGAN SQUARE Ukrainian Village is a 32-square-block area northwest of downtown Chicago and is one of the most distinct areas of Directly east of Ukrainian Village, East Village was originally known as East Ukrainian Village, and then later named East Village. Humboldt Park is rich in culture and in history. One of Humboldt Park s main attractions is Paseo Boricua, a Puerto Rican- Logan Square provides one of the grandest intersections in Chicago. The square is set around an enormous marble column, Chicago. With trendy Wicker Park nearby, residents have immediate access to dozens of spectacular restaurants, eclectic boutiques and art galleries. Ukrainian Village residents living near Ashland and Division also have an easy 10-minute ride to the Loop and a short commute to O Hare via the CTA s Blue Line. A cohesive residential area of simple, red brick 2- and 3-flats, This neighborhood primarily consists of charming 2 and 3 flats along tree-lined streets. Renovated apartments and single-family homes can also be found, as well as some new brick and limestone constructions. Property owners in East Village have carefully rehabbed the historic homes that abound in this area. And, you are still able to find apartments with great views of the city at very attractive prices, all within 10 minutes from downtown. flavored business strip on Division St. that stretches from one Puerto Rican flag to another. Another is the big park with its popular beach, outdoor pools, several lagoons, tennis courts, playgrounds, baseball diamonds, football/soccer fields, basketball courts, bicycle path, picnic areas, and mansion-lined boulevards. which celebrates the centennial of Illinois statehood. Logan Boulevard, a split-street with flowers and trees presented between the eastbound and westbound thoroughfares, enters the square from the east, and is suitably majestic with large, well-tended homes with sweeping lawns. The neighborhood is well cared for and appealing, and truly one cottages and Victorian style homes all with neatly groomed lawns, Ukrainian Village has also seen new townhouses being constructed in architecture that blends well with the vintage On the west bank of the Chicago River is the area known as River West. It rubs elbows with trendy Wicker Park and artistic River North. of Chicago s melting pots. Logan Square has a diverse population comprised of Latino and Eastern European communities, as well as a younger demographic attracted to the neighborhood s buildings surrounding them. The streets, yards and buildings are well-maintained with lovely gardens and balconies. River West boasts many charming traditional family-owned restaurants, bakeries, and flower and produce stands. Along Randolph Street many old warehouses and markets have been transformed into premier dining destinations. diversity as well as cheaper rents. Consequently, Logan Square offers a varied array of restaurants, bars, and shopping to its locals and visitors. MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS MUSEUMS Polish Museum of America 984 W. Milwaukee Milwaukee & Augusta Bockwinkel s 600 W. Chicago Chicago & Larrabee Ukrainian Institute of Mod. Art 2320 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago & Western Aldi 1767 N. Milwaukee Milwaukee & Wabansia Chicago Tribune Newspaper Tours 777 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago & Halsted N. Halsted Halsted & Washington Logan Theater 2646 N. Milwaukee Milwaukee & Sawyer W. Belmont Belmont & Spaulding Ukrainian National Museum 721 N. Oakley Oakley & Superior N. Paulina Paulina & Milwaukee Chicago Center for the Performing Arts 777 N. Green - Green & Superior Aldi 1767 N. Milwaukee Milwaukee & Bloomingdale Aldi 800 N. Kedzie Kedzie & Chicago Logan Square Supermarket 2857 W. Diversey Diversey & Mozart Chicago Apartment Finders 22 Chicago Apartment Finders 23

14 NEAR LOOP NEIGHBORHOODs NEAR LOOP NEIGHBORHOODs WEST LOOP SOUTH LOOP UIC / PILSEN TRI-TAYLOR The West Loop is a community just west of the Loop. The area The South Loop has been developing since the early 80 s and Pilsen hosts several notable festivals of Latino origin that attract Tri-Taylor is a desirable, highly accessible location, energetic is experiencing incredible growth and development as urban continues to experience a construction boom. A century ago, visitors from throughout the city. Twenty-Sixth Street is the site of with new life due to new housing developments. Local dwellers seek to find property that enables them to live, work and this neighborhood was Chicago s most famous gambling and the Mexican Independence Day Parade, the largest Latino parade government, local businesses and the community are working play in close proximity of Chicago s downtown. prostitution district. Today the South Loop consists of three in the city. The three-day Fiesta del Sol is one of the city s largest together to further the development of this neighborhood. neighborhoods Dearborn Park, Printer s Row and Central neighborhood festivals and takes place during the first week of The West Loop has a mix of lofts, galleries, photographers, and Station, a new neighborhood currently being developed. August. In September, the neighborhood s annual Day of the Dead A short walk from Little Italy, Tri-Taylor is close to some of graphic design firms. It is also an architecturally interesting mix celebration begins. the best Italian restaurants and bakeries in the city. It s also of residential and commercial loft space conveniently located Dearborn Park is a 20-year-old condo development built on land that convenient to the delicious restaurants of Chicago s Greek Town close to the Loop and the near north side. was owned by several railroads. It s just south of the Loop between A large artist community has been drawn to Pilsen partly on Halsted. State Street and Clark Street, and south of Polk Street to 15th Street. because of the availability of loft space. The Pilsen East Artists The West Loop is home to the United Center, the sports stadium Open House occurs during the last weekend of September, The city awarded parts of Tri-Taylor landmark status to preserve where the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks play. The Printer s Row is a condo and rental area made up of loft buildings. It when artists who live around 18th and 19th streets near Halsted its essential old-world flavor. The tree-lined streets consist of United Center is also one of Illinois largest entertainment venues is located directly southwest of the Loop. Every year the neighborhood Street open their studios to the public. It is a true open studio restored 19th-century row houses and two- and three-flats, as for music, circuses and performances. The West Loop is also home hosts a large book fair and there Is no shortage of bookstores, walk, and the interior courtyards are also used as exhibit space. well as new townhouses and single-family homes. to Harpo Studios which is where Oprah Winfrey records her shows. restaurants, and bars. The Podmajersky family has supported artists and the Pilsen community for over forty years and started the event in the Once famous for its meat and produce markets (many of which still exist), nearby Randolph Street is now home to many of Chicago s premier restaurants. MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS Union Station 210 S. Canal Canal & Jackson Civic Opera House 20 N. Wacker Wacker & Madison MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS Shedd Aquarium 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive Adler Planetarium 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive Burnham Plaza Theater 826 S. Wabash Wabash & 8th S. Wabash mid-1960s. Jane Adams Museum 800 S. Halsted Halsted & Harrison N. Halsted Halsted & Madison Field Museum Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Dr. Wabash & Roosevelt 1220 S. Ashland Ashland & Roosevelt 1340 S. Canal Canal & 14th 1220 S. Ashland Ashland & Roosevelt Chicago Apartment Finders 24 Chicago Apartment Finders 25