Location, location, location. It’s the crux of real estate. But when it comes to buying a home in a new neighborhood, there are other factors to consider in addition to the location itself.

If you’re planning on sticking around your new neighborhood for the long haul, or want to raise a family in a good area, you’d be well-advised to do some homework and research on the community you’re contemplating. A bunch of factors go into figuring out of the desirability of a specific house and the community it’s in.

So how do you know if the neighborhood you’re looking at is right for you?

Ownership Rates Are High

Neighborhoods that have a much higher proportion of owners compared to renters are considered much more stable. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, such as the high percentage of renters in downtown New York City or San Francisco. But for the most part, if the neighborhood you’re looking at features more owners than renters, it’s a good sign of a stable area.

Not only that, but owners tend to take better care of their properties. After all, they own them, and obviously have a much higher vested interest in the properties. Your realtor will be able to provide you with these types of stats for areas you’re looking at. 

Properties That Retain Their Market Value

Certain neighborhoods hold home value better than others, which was evident during the most recent housing crash. Areas where property values remained relatively stable during these trying economic times are more likely the types of areas you want to call home.

Even if you plan on living there forever and have no intention of selling for a profit, it’s still nice to be able to build equity in your home from appreciation alone. You can find information like this from historical sale prices from your county’s tax records office, or else your realtor will be able to provide you with such important info.

It’s a Decent Commute to Work

Houses that are situated nearby major city centers and big employers are in high demand. Especially these days, younger professionals are a lot less likely to want to drive far to work compared to previous generations. The closer the neighborhood is to these business hubs, the better.

Neighborhood Schools Are Rated High

If you have kids, you want to make sure the school within your district is a good one with a healthy reputation. The local school district is typically an important factor to consider when purchasing a house.

Even if you don’t have kids, schools make a big difference for many buyers, who will be more likely to pay more to get into the best school district. This will be a vital factor if you plan on selling some time in the future.

Public Transit is Readily Available

If you can easily and quickly get to a bus stop or subway line, thats good news. Properties with easy access to public transit are generally more valuable compared to those that are not. Among the many factors that are considered when determining a property’s value, proximity of public transit is one of them.

In fact, properties within half a mile of high-frequency public transit routes and stops are worth an average of 42% more. But don’t pick a home that’s too close to these routes – homes that are beside train tracks can actually lose value instead. No one wants to live beside noisy trains or buses.

Home and Neighborhood Improvements Are Noticeable

If you see homes being renovated or even rebuilt, that’s a good sign of a healthy neighborhood. Home owners that are investing a lot of time and money into their properties show that they value their neighborhood, and so should you. And if the city is pouring in money into improvements – such as new sidewalks, trees, etc – that’s also a good sign of a neighborhood that’s nowhere near close to heading south in value.

Your home is purchase is a big one, so you want to make sure you do your due diligence and scope out the area you plan on buying in before you fork over the big bucks. There are tons of signs that the neighborhood is perfect for you to plant some roots. To take things a step further, tap into the experience and knowledge of your real estate agent to find out if the community you’re considering moving into is the right one.

Tucked into a corner of the University of Illinois-Chicago campus at 800 S. Halsted Street, the The Jane Addams Hull House Museumis “Chicago’s dynamic monument to democracy,” according to their website. 

The Museum Is located in two of the original settlement house buildings- the Hull Home, a National Historic Landmark, and the Residents’ Dining Hall, an Arts and Crafts building.

Who Was Jane Addams?

A reformer, an advocate for immigrants, and recognized as the founder of the social work profession, according to Wikipedia sources, Jane Addams(1860-1935) made history in 1931 as she became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

From Cedarville to Chicago 

She was born into a prosperous family in downstate Cedarville, the youngest of eight children. When she was four she contracted tuberculosis of the spine, which caused a curvature in her spine and lifelong health problems, but the pain was later alleviated by surgery. Her father, John H. Addams, was a founding member of the Illinois Republican Party, serving as an Illinois State Senator, and supporting his friend Abraham Lincoln in his candidacies for senator and the presidency. In 1881, she graduated from the Rockford Female Seminary as  valedictorian, but was granted the bachelor’s degree only after the school became accredited the next year as Rockford College for Women. There, she met Ellen Starr, her partner for the next 30+ years and the co-founder of Hull House. 

Hull House Takes Shape 

During a tour of Europe, Addams and Starr visited Toynbee Hall, a settlement house in London’s East End, according to Nobel.com. This visit solidified their dream of opening a similar house in an underprivileged area of Chicago. In 1889, she and Starr leased a large home built by Charles Hull at the corner of Halsted and Polk Streets, in a neighborhood densely populated by Italian, Irish, German, Greek, Bohemian, and Russian and Polish Jewish immigrants. Later, African Americans and Mexicans put down roots. The two friends moved in to provide a center for a higher civic and social life; to institute and maintain educational and philanthropic enterprises and to investigate and improve the conditions in the industrial districts of Chicago. As the Museum’s website says, they provided kindergarten and day care facilities for the children of working mothers; an employment bureau; an art gallery; libraries; English and citizenship classes; and theater, music and art classes, eventually expanding to a thirteen-building campus. The settlement advocated for legislative reforms at the municipal, state and federal levels, addressing issues such as child labor, women’s suffrage, healthcare reform and immigration policy. 

In 2012, when it closed, Hull House was one of the largest social services agency in Chicago. 

The Museum Today 

Today, the Museum is part of the College of Architecture and the Arts at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Exhibitions and public programs highlight the histories of activism, progressive education, and democratic principles of participation and exchange. 

The collection is made up of more than 5,500 artifacts relating to the work of the Hull House Settlement and the surrounding neighborhood. 

Guests are welcome to visit the Museum by reservation only. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm, and Sunday from 12pm-4pm. They are closed on Saturdays and Mondays. For more information, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Let’s talk about sleep again! Sleep is the most important factor in our health. We spend about 1/3 of our lives sleeping as it helps our brain and body regenerate. Here are a few tricks for getting your best night’s sleep.

Number one, the biggest one: don’t bring your phone to bed! The blue light from the phone really messes up the melatonin in your brain that helps you get a good night’s sleep. Besides, checking on social media or any other places online can keep you awake by raising anxiety. I’ve noticed myself grabbing the phone “just to check on it” sometimes if I get up in the middle of the night. It makes it really hard to get back to sleep!

Number two: It’s good to have a consistent bedtime and sleep routine—even on weekends. Of course, we know we can’t always stick to this. Things happen; parties, gatherings, or late nights at work, but having a set time to start your routine can help. On average it takes us probably an hour to get ready and actually get to sleep. So if you want to go to sleep by 10:00 o’clock every evening, say “I’m done with work!” by 8:00. Be determined to relax and get ready for bed. Take time to perhaps write in your journal, take a warm bath, or listen to some soothing music, anything that helps you wind down.

Number three: No caffeine after noon! For the majority of people, this is the best way to deal with caffeine. I’ve noticed that if I do have a lot of caffeine in the afternoon I always have a terrible time getting to sleep. If you find that you need an afternoon pickup of a cup of coffee it might be good to check with your doctor, you might not be getting the best sleep and maybe have an apnea problem. 

Number four: be mindful of when you eat. I always try to have at least 3 hours between eating and going to sleep so that my digestion is done before sleep. It’s also a good idea to keep your drinking down to one or two days a week as too much alcohol can throw off your sleep. You might think it helps you to sleep, but the sleep you are getting is not good sleep.

Number five: don’t worry so much about getting perfect sleep. Many people now are using sleep trackers of some sort, whether it’s your Apple Watch or some other device that shows you your sleep patterns throughout the night. It’s not good to obsess about this. Trying to have “optimal” sleep every night is pretty much impossible, and worrying about it so much can actually give you insomnia. Doctors have a word for it now; it’s called orthosomia, anxiety over getting a perfect sleep score, and it does no one any good! So be careful. 

Try some of these tricks and let’s all have a better night’s sleep!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Guess what?  We’re still green this weekend as St. Patrick’s Day fun never stops here in Chicago!  So, let’s continue with our shenanigans!!

The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl is taking place this Saturday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) at Wrigleyville’s Best Bars since day drinking is always more fun.  A ticket gets you admission, a breakfast buffet, gift cards to use on the crawl, giveaways, and more!  So grab your friends and don all of your favorite green gear as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend at Old Crow, Moe’s, Deuce’s (Charm’d Bar – today is its last day), HVAC Pub, and others.  Plus, all these bars are within walking distance of each other!!

The Kiss Me, I’m Irish: Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl takes place this Saturday (2 p.m.-2 a.m.) serving up the Best Drink Specials at the Best Bars in Town.  Check-in is at the Hubbard Inn (110 W. Hubbard St.) in the River North neighborhood while the official after party will be held at Clark Street Ale House (742 N. Clark St.).  Other participating bars include El Hefe, Hopsmith, Joy District, Mother Hubbard’s, Roots Old Town, Spin, Utopian Tailgate, and Woodie’s Flat.  It’s been said that this bar crawl is like no other!

Come Shake Your Shamrock this Saturday (6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) at the Norwood Park Train Station (6088 N. Northwest Hwy.) in the Norwood Park neighborhood.  This family-friendly event is recommended for kids ages 5-12 years old who will receive for a $5 charge a glow stick, water, and a lite snack.  As for the adults, a $20 ticket includes two free adult beverages which include beer, wine, and seltzers.  Also, the HeadSpin Guy, an awesome break dancer with a light show, is the entertainment for the evening!

All greened out?  Check out the following events for your weekend entertainment!

It’s the final Stout Fest ’23 this Sunday (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) at the Goose Island Clybourn Brewhouse (1800 N. Clybourn Ave.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  Drink Chicago stouts as you sample pourings from 25+ breweries and vote for your favorite one!  A ticket includes samples from all the participating breweries, a 2023 souvenir glass, and passed small bites.  Who will take home the coveted Stout Fest trophy?  There’s only one way to find out!

It’s time for a whole lot of fun!  Come join Read & Run Chicago and Pizza City, USA Tours for a one-of-a-kind Pizza Running Tour this Saturday (11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.).  On this 3-mile run, you’ll visit three different pizzerias in the West Loop, River North, and Streeterville areas for a sampling of pizza slices.  Plus, your ticket also includes a meet-and-greet with the pizzeria owner, and an exclusive meeting with the James Beard Award-winning food journalist Steve Dolinsky as well as receiving a signed copy of his book The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide!

And finally, the annual Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd.) in Rosemont this Saturday (11 a.m.-11 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-8 p.m.).  This show features a variety of vendors, live entertainment, and tattoo contests each day of the show.  Also, you’ll be able to make an appointment with a tattoo artist which includes talent featured on Ink Masters to add to your collection or get your very first tattoo!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

While the parades and river-dyeing might be over, there’s still plenty of celebrating in Chicago for the ‘second wave’ of St. Patrick’s Day this weekend. After all, Friday, March 17 is the ‘official’ day of celebration for all! 

One pub going all-out is Avondale’s Chief O’Neill’s Pub and Restaurant,at the corner of Roscoe and Elston. Open since 2000, it has been called the best Irish pub in Chicago, according to Choose Chicago, and has previously been voted as one of the 10 best in the entire world. As their slogan says, it’s the “The Pub You’ve Been Practicing For.”

Yes, there was a real Chief O’Neill

According to the Chicago Bar Project, Daniel Francis O’Neill wad born in Tralibane, County Cork, Ireland in 1848. “O’Neill was a free spirit, heavily influenced by the traveling musicians that took up lodging in his childhood home. After a falling out with the local church, O’Neill became a cabin boy on an English ship, eventually coming to Chicago and becoming a policeman.” He worked his way through the ranks to become the General Superintendent of Police in Chicago at the turn of the 20^th century. A music aficionado who “saved Irish music” by collecting over 2,000 tunes in manuscript, O’Neill also developed a network of musicians and found jobs on the force for the best pipers.

The Food… Good?

Chief O’Neill’s incorporates both Harp, the light Irish lager, and Guinness, the Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James’s Gate, Dublin, Ireland, in 1759, in many of their dishes. Try their tangy Guinness & Cheddar Soup in a cup or bowl for a hearty start. Or, their Galway Bay Mussels, which starts offwith Prince Edward Island (PEI) Mussels, served with a shallot, garlic, and white wine cream sauce on ciabatta toast points. For a sweet/meaty mix, try their Banger and Apple, a salad of  mixed greens, baby spinach,  crispy bangers, apples, grapes, curried walnuts, goat cheese, and curry dressing. 

Keep with your Irish experience in the entrée round with Emerald Isle Favoritessuch as Fish & Chips withHarp-battered cod, mushy peas, coleslaw, tartar sauce and fries. Shepherd’s Pie with ground veal and sirloin, carrots, peas, rosemary and thyme, served with gluten-free browned mashed potatoes. Steak & Guinness Pie has Angus chuck, root vegetables Yukon gold potatoes, and stout gravy in a puff pastry. 

Restaurant Guru’s reviewers were highly complimentary:

“Great place to have a party, the nicest staff ever!” wrote one just recently. “Dine-in or out. The Bangers and Mash is my friend’s favorite and mine was the Shepherd’s pie which also was outstanding.“

“Bangers and Mash – delicious!”

Mrs. O’Neill’s Second Floor Parlor

For a more private dining experience, Chief O’Neill’s opened Mrs. O’Neill’s Parlor L While seating times are very limited, Mrs. O’Neill’s is serving a $40-per person Grand Emerald Isle Buffet, featuring Fish & Chips, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie, Irish Chicken Curry, salads and dessert.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this Friday… 

Continue the celebration on Friday, March 17 starting at 10am with such ala carte selections as Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Irish Chicken Curry. 

Chief O’Neill’s also serves a well-reviewed Sunday brunch. For details, click here. 

Chief O’Neill’s is located at 3471 N. Elston Avenue. They are open Wednesdays-Thursdays; 4pm-11pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 4pm- 1am, and Sundays, 10am 11pm. For more information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago