Neighborhood MapsClick here to view a list of master maps of Chicago neigborhoods (it shows the 77 major neighborhoods that Chicago is divided into). |
Best Real Estate Shopping Maps
Actually, our FAVORITE maps are the ones you will find below: which break Chicago into 25 sections--each with all "L" and Metra stops and individual neighborhood names. With each map being 8 1/2 by 11 in size, we think you will quickly see why we recommend them:
Where is the market headed?2006 was the year the housing bubble 'burst,' and 2007 was the year of the 'mortgage meltdown.' What we found incredible in the 2006 data we reported a year ago was that only 1 of the 20 neighborhoods in our report (see 60% more detailed above) had shown any kind of price drop. But this past year was different!! Due to the mortgage melt-down, the number of units sold dropped typically by an amazing 40-50%--and the median price fell in 18 of the 20 neighborhoods—typically in the 2% to 9% range. Now, to be fair, the credit crunch caused the number of 3-4 flat sales to fall much more than 2-flats—and that tilt made for a large part of the price drop. However, even if we say prices didn’t precipitously fall, the fact remains that the number of transactions did. 2006 had NOT been a terrible year for multi-units--but 2007 was. Where is the market headed? We don't have a crystal ball but can provide a link to what we think is the best regularly updated report on national real estate trends, the quarterly Economic and Real Estate Trends from the people who issue PMI. Their report includes commentary on the national economy and regional housing price trends, and a ranking of risk for the 50 most populated metropolitan areas. They see Chicago as being in the LOWEST risk category of prices dropping in the future. > Current Quarterly Report from PMI And scroll down to where it says Why do they see Chicago so strong? We have NOT had the hyperinflation in housing prices like the west coast and Florida. We are still, by comparative standards, an affordable area to live in--and all indications are that we have a strong job market. Our bottom line: the BIG challenge is with FINANCING--and we hope that 2008 is the year that gets straightened out! |
Neigborhood Data
Do you want to learn more about Chicago's neighborhoods in general? Here are some fun (and useful) links to check out:
Wikipedia (best for desciptions of each neighborhood):
wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_neighborhoods
For great links by area OR “L” line:
centerstagechicago.com/virtual-el/
For school boundaries in Chicago:
http://schoollocator.cps.k12.il.us/
For a handy chart of Chicago phone #'s (gas, electric, etc.):
Chicago Community Services PHONE NUMBERS
Census DataThe Federal Government provides amazing information about any specific address you want to check out. Click below: : |
Details about specific properties
If you want more details about any one property, you may want to check the Cook County Assessor's office or the City of Chicago online zoning map:
Or, for more specifics about individual properties, you can also check out http://www.newschicago.org/.











