LIL’ BUDDY’S BLOG – MY FAVORITE CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS – LINCOLN PARK!
LIL’ BUDDY’S BLOG – MY FAVORITE CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS – LINCOLN PARK!
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Did you have a great yet scary Halloween 2007? I dressed up as a human! The neighborhood was stunned however when I asked to eat my supper out of a little blue bowl on the floor. Isn’t that the way everybody eats?
If you don’t live here in Chicago and you begin to research top city neighborhoods here which neighborhood do out-of-towners most often investigate? For many that most popular Chicago Neighborhood aside from the famous Chicago Loop is Lincoln Park.
With it’s southern boundary at North Avenue running up to Diversey Parkway on the north Ashland Avenue on the west and Lake Michigan on the east (the lake is ALWAYS to the EAST in Chicago) Lincoln Park is home to many hundred-plus-year old vintage residences and row houses classy condos and some of the chicest dining and shopping in the City of Chicago.
Even few locals know that before Lincoln Park was a Park or a North Side Chicago Neighborhood it was the Chicago City Cemetery! It was converted into a beautiful lakefront park back in 1864. At the time descendants of all those buried here gave permission for the relocation of their ancestors – with the exception of one prominent Chicago family. To this day the tomb of Ira Couch one of Chicago’s first innkeepers still exists behind The Chicago History Museum (formerly The Chicago Historical Society) on North Avenue and La Salle Street. Look closely behind the trees on the east side of the museum and you’ll find it. (You dogs please be very respectful of the late Mr. Couch if you know what I mean).
The Lincoln Park Zoo is the largest FREE CITY ZOO in the United States! Hundreds of exotic animals from all over the world call The Zoo home. (Sorry folks no dogs allowed – they think we Lil’ White Dogs will scare the big bad Lions Tigers and Chicago Bears – oh my!) The Lincoln Park Zoo offers a great African Ape exhibit incredible Lion House fantastic Children’s Zoo where petting of baby animals is encouraged and even the Farm in the Zoo at the south end – where we urbanites first experienced what an actual cow is many years ago! You’ll also find a large pond here at The Zoo where kayakers and paddle boat captains can have a field day on a lazy summer afternoon in Chicago.
Lincoln Park is also a great City Park as well! Miles of jogging and walking trails picnic groves several softball diamonds (16-inch please and NO GLOVES – remember this is Chicago!) The beautiful Lincoln Park Conservatory and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum well worth a stop – and a great place to oooh and aahh at the flowers especially when the weather outside is less than perfect as it is many days here in Chicago. Also here are several classic statues including one of President Abraham Lincoln of course.
Restaurants and clubs? There are dozens of them here in Lincoln Park!
Experiencing Deja Vu? Visit the World-Famous R.J. Grunts 2056 N. Lincoln Park West just east of Clark Street and west of The Zoo. The first restaurant opened by the since-gone-national Lettuce Entertain You Chain and local restaurant legend (and famous 16" softball player) Rich Melman this tribute to the 1970’s was first opened in 1971. Their famous "All You Can Eat" Salad Bar remains as well as the original dark-wood motif although floor to ceiling windows on the east side of the eatery add some light and a great street view to the original darkened place. You old folks bring those reading glasses to read the very-detailed menu. Several years ago the restaurant chain wanted to close this local haunt but many protested and R.J.’s is still here.
Are you HUNGRY? Check out the Pizza Pot Pie and Fabulous Sandwiches and Salads at The Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company in an old brownstone at 2121 N. Clark Street. Directly across from the former location of the SMC Cartage Company at 2122 N. Clark where the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre occurred on February 14 1929 this building may have actually been the lookout location for Al Capone’s murderous thugs. Today however only good food is served here and a lot of it! Leave your Calorie Counter at home and stop in for some great Chicago comfort food. Expect a long line here especially on nights and every weekend.
While here consider staying at a beautifully-restored local hotel – The Belden Stratford at 2300 N. Lincoln Park West just across the street from The Lincoln Park Conservatory and The Zoo. This early-1920’s Chicago Landmark has been restored into overnight guest rooms and short-term apartment rentals. Well priced believe it or not to live in old-world luxury! Reserve early. Another Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant – Mon Ami Gabi – awaits you in the lobby for lunch or dinner.
Check the Chicago Tribune Metromix section for dozens of other Lincoln Park restaurants clubs and shops – too many for a Little White Dog to count here.
Looking for a place in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood of Chicago? You can find a studio apartment for rent here for about $750 up to several thousand for a larger more deluxe dog-friendly place. Home buyers can find a smaller condominium in a low-rise or walk-up building starting from the mid-$250’s depending on condition. The swankier restored single family homes and rowhouses can run up to $5000000 or more – although with the somewhat-depressed real estate market here in the Chicago area some bargains can be had compared to a couple of years ago.
Here’s a summary of recent real estate trends in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood of Chicago –
LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY CHICAGO IL (SOURCE: MLSNI AREA MARKET SURVEY DATA)
PROP TYPE # AVAIL AVG PRICE SOLD* AVG SALE AVG MKT TIME
CONDOS 707 $571682 1491 $441071 97 DAYS
SF HOMES 169 $2326117 185 $1686836 172 DAYS
2-4 UNIT BLDGS 49 $1061746 50 $1011403 138 DAYS
*WITHIN LAST 12 MONTHS ENDING 10/31/2007
Hey folks when you come to Chicago to visit Lincoln Park please give me a call to let me know! I love to walk down here in the shadow of the Lincoln Park Zoo!
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS
