The Chicago Condo Loft » Chicago Lifestyle

DPAM Debuts New Location in Lincoln Park, Attracts Interested Home Owners

Lindsey Anderson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:50:50 +0000

For years students and art lovers interested in checking out the DePaul Art Museum (DPAM) collection were forced to suffer the low ceilings and small, cramped rooms of the Richardson Library’s exhibition space in the Loop. Last month, however, DPAM moved its collection to a new, improved location at 935 W. Fullerton Avenue. The new exhibition space features high ceilings, filtered light and nearly twice as much square footage as the Richardson Library. “I imagine that I’ll be coming far more often,” Logan Square resident Andy Bolduc said when asked about the museum’s new home. “It’s only a short bus ride away from my apartment, and it’s literally steps away from the Fullerton Red Line stop. Its location is unbeatable, and its collection is better than ever.” But Bolduc isn’t the only one who intends to start visiting DPAM and its Lincoln Park neighborhood more often. Other arty types have been moving to Lincoln Park in greater and greater numbers in recent years, and there’s no doubt that more of them will be moving in, now that another art museum has been added to the neighborhood. Houses and condos have been selling particularly well in busy, artistically inclined areas of the neighborhood, like the intersection of Lincoln Avenue, Fullerton Avenue, and Halstead Street, where classy condos and stately single-family homes tend to cluster in the greatest numbers. Listings like this one, found on the CondoDomain blog, have been selling like hotcakes lately, and real estate experts expect them to continue to do well as long as Lincoln Park maintains its charming, arty, intellectual character. To find out more about Chicago’s wonderful neighborhoods, enter your information in the box on the right and a Rock Star Chicago Real Estate Agent will get in touch with you today!

Last month, however, DPAM moved its collection to a new, improved location at 935 W. Fullerton Avenue. The new exhibition space features high ceilings, filtered light and nearly twice as much square footage as the Richardson Library.

“I imagine that I’ll be coming far more often,” Logan Square resident Andy Bolduc said when asked about the museum’s new home. “It’s only a short bus ride away from my apartment, and it’s literally steps away from the Fullerton Red Line stop. Its location is unbeatable, and its collection is better than ever.”

But Bolduc isn’t the only one who intends to start visiting DPAM and its Lincoln Park neighborhood more often. Other arty types have been moving to Lincoln Park in greater and greater numbers in recent years, and there’s no doubt that more of them will be moving in, now that another art museum has been added to the neighborhood.

Houses and condos have been selling particularly well in busy, artistically inclined areas of the neighborhood, like the intersection of Lincoln Avenue, Fullerton Avenue, and Halstead Street, where classy condos and stately single-family homes tend to cluster in the greatest numbers.

Listings like this one, found on the CondoDomain blog, have been selling like hotcakes lately, and real estate experts expect them to continue to do well as long as Lincoln Park maintains its charming, arty, intellectual character.

To find out more about Chicago’s wonderful neighborhoods, enter your information in the box on the right and a Rock Star Chicago Real Estate Agent will get in touch with you today!

Decorating De-mystified: Clear the Clutter

Lindsey Anderson — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:49:58 +0000

Buying your first home was likely one of the most difficult, rewarding experiences of your life. You probably spent months pouring through books, magazines, newspapers and blogs—looking for help anywhere you could find it. You probably also logged some long hours scrutinizing your personal finances, crunching numbers and questioning your decisions. But you took the plunge anyway! You fell in love with a home, you decided to buy it, and you moved in as soon as you could. You were happy with your new home, and you wanted to make it your own immediately! Unfortunately, you may have found the prospect of decorating your new home just as daunting as buying it. But don’t worry—that’s where we come in! In our regular feature, Decorating De-mystified, we’ll help you turn that house of yours into a real home! This week we’ll be focusing on clearing your space of clutter… Getting rid of junk isn’t easy. But you’ll need to learn how to toss out your old baseball cards and ticket stubs if you want to live in a clean, streamlined home. Home design expert Peter Walsh offers these tips to home owners interested in living clutter-free: Tackle messes one room at a time. When you buy something new, practice the “in-out rule:” For every one new item, get rid of an old one. Create intimacy in the master bedroom. Remember that improvements in one room can spread to the rest of the house. Make cleaning up fun for your kids. Create a vision for the room you’re cleaning. Teach your kids how to sort. Use a hanger system to determine which clothes you wear most. Ask yourself if you really need something. If you hesitate, you don’t. Establish a “magic triangle” in your kitchen between the stove, refrigerator and the sink. Keep the items you use most in that area. Identify useful utensils with the cardboard box test. To learn more about decorating your new home, check the CondoDomain blog next week for another edition of Decorating De-mystified. And, in the meantime, check out articles like this one!

But you took the plunge anyway! You fell in love with a home, you decided to buy it, and you moved in as soon as you could. You were happy with your new home, and you wanted to make it your own immediately!

Unfortunately, you may have found the prospect of decorating your new home just as daunting as buying it. But don’t worry—that’s where we come in! In our regular feature, Decorating De-mystified, we’ll help you turn that house of yours into a real home!

This week we’ll be focusing on clearing your space of clutter…

Getting rid of junk isn’t easy. But you’ll need to learn how to toss out your old baseball cards and ticket stubs if you want to live in a clean, streamlined home.

Home design expert Peter Walsh offers these tips to home owners interested in living clutter-free:

Tackle messes one room at a time.
When you buy something new, practice the “in-out rule:” For every one new item, get rid of an old one.
Create intimacy in the master bedroom. Remember that improvements in one room can spread to the rest of the house.
Make cleaning up fun for your kids.
Create a vision for the room you’re cleaning.
Teach your kids how to sort.
Use a hanger system to determine which clothes you wear most.
Ask yourself if you really need something. If you hesitate, you don’t.
Establish a “magic triangle” in your kitchen between the stove, refrigerator and the sink. Keep the items you use most in that area.
Identify useful utensils with the cardboard box test.

To learn more about decorating your new home, check the CondoDomain blog next week for another edition of Decorating De-mystified. And, in the meantime, check out articles like this one!

Cubs Player Regrets River Forest Purchase

Lindsey Anderson — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:49:30 +0000

The Chicago Cubs have been having a bit of a rocky season, both on and off the field. The Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908, which means that Chicago’s home town heroes have been striking out each season for more than 100 years. But a few players have also been striking out in real estate. Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, for instance, is struggling to sell his suburban home, located in sleepy River Forest, at the moment. When Zambrano bought the home, which was built in 1999, he paid $1.199 million for it, but sources speculate that he’ll be lucky to $900,000 for it now. According to the Tribune ” He bought the six-bedroom, nearly 4,000-square-foot house in 2006 for $1.199 million. It has four baths, a loft, a finished lower level with a large recreation room, a three-car garage and a sunken great room with a wall of windows and vaulted ceiling.” “Zambrano lived in the home for a year and a half but decided he wanted to live closer to Wrigley Field, said listing agent Jessica Rivera of Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. In 2008, “Big Z” bought a six-bedroom, 6,700-square-foot house in Lakeview for $2.66 million.” Zambrano has been trying to sell the home off and on since 2008, but so without success. His luck may soon change, though, as real estate experts report that the housing market in River Forest may be improving. “The average listing price for homes there for the week ending September 21 was $543,392, down 0.4 percent from the previous week,” Trulia reports. “The median sales price from June 2011 to August 2011 was $545,000, up 17 percent from the same period in 2010. ” Hopefully Zambrano will be able to hit a home-run with the sale of his River Forest house. Maybe then he’ll be able to hit a few home runs in Wrigley Field, as well. If you want to learn more about Chicago real estate or are interested in finding out about some fabulous Chicago area listings just enter your information into the box on your right and an expert real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, for instance, is struggling to sell his suburban home, located in sleepy River Forest, at the moment. When Zambrano bought the home, which was built in 1999, he paid $1.199 million for it, but sources speculate that he’ll be lucky to $900,000 for it now.

According to the Tribune ” He bought the six-bedroom, nearly 4,000-square-foot house in 2006 for $1.199 million. It has four baths, a loft, a finished lower level with a large recreation room, a three-car garage and a sunken great room with a wall of windows and vaulted ceiling.”

“Zambrano lived in the home for a year and a half but decided he wanted to live closer to Wrigley Field, said listing agent Jessica Rivera of Weichert Realtors Nickel Group. In 2008, “Big Z” bought a six-bedroom, 6,700-square-foot house in Lakeview for $2.66 million.”

Zambrano has been trying to sell the home off and on since 2008, but so without success. His luck may soon change, though, as real estate experts report that the housing market in River Forest may be improving.

“The average listing price for homes there for the week ending September 21 was $543,392, down 0.4 percent from the previous week,” Trulia reports. “The median sales price from June 2011 to August 2011 was $545,000, up 17 percent from the same period in 2010. ”

Hopefully Zambrano will be able to hit a home-run with the sale of his River Forest house. Maybe then he’ll be able to hit a few home runs in Wrigley Field, as well.

If you want to learn more about Chicago real estate or are interested in finding out about some fabulous Chicago area listings just enter your information into the box on your right and an expert real estate agent will get in touch with you ASAP!

Decorating De-mystified: Color Can Be Your Friend

Lindsey Anderson — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:46:07 +0000

Buying your first home was likely one of the most difficult, rewarding experiences of your life. You probably spent months pouring through books, magazines, newspapers and blogs—looking for help anywhere you could find it. You probably also logged some long hours scrutinizing your personal finances, crunching numbers and questioning your decisions. But you took the plunge anyway! You fell in love with a home, you decided to buy it, and you moved in as soon as you could. You were happy with your new home, and you wanted to make it your own immediately! Unfortunately, you may have found the prospect of decorating your new home just as daunting as buying it. But don’t worry—that’s where we come in! In our regular feature, Decorating De-mystified, we’ll help you turn that house of yours into a real home! This week we’ll be focusing on decorating with color… Designer Mark McCauley encourages home owners to follow these two simple tips when working with color: Tip 1. Choose a color scheme from the largest pattern in the space. If you’ve got patterned upholstery, an Oriental rug or large piece of artwork, pluck colors you like from the pattern. For a neutral wall paint color, look to the pattern’s whites and beiges. Tip 1. Start with the formal areas of the house. Specifically, the living room, dining room and entry way. Choose a color scheme for those areas first, then pull one color from the scheme. For example, take the red sofa and tone it down (say, to burgundy) for an accent in more private spaces such as the den, office or bedroom. To learn more about decorating your new home, check the CondoDomain blog next week for another edition of Decorating De-mystified. And, in the meantime, check out articles like this one!

This week we’ll be focusing on decorating with color…

Designer Mark McCauley encourages home owners to follow these two simple tips when working with color:

Tip 1. Choose a color scheme from the largest pattern in the space.
If you’ve got patterned upholstery, an Oriental rug or large piece of artwork, pluck colors you like from the pattern. For a neutral wall paint color, look to the pattern’s whites and beiges.

Tip 1. Start with the formal areas of the house.
Specifically, the living room, dining room and entry way. Choose a color scheme for those areas first, then pull one color from the scheme. For example, take the red sofa and tone it down (say, to burgundy) for an accent in more private spaces such as the den, office or bedroom.

To learn more about decorating your new home, check the CondoDomain blog next week for another edition of Decorating De-mystified. And, in the meantime, check out articles like this one!

Open House Chicago Open Eyes

Lindsey Anderson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:51:35 +0000

February may be just around the corner, and it will surely bring snow flurries and cold temperatures to Chicago, but the weather has been unusually warm for most of the season, and many people have been taking advantage of the crisp winter air. Among them are the thousands of people who turned out to participate in Open House Chicago, an architecture tour designed to appeal to nosy neighbors and potential home buyers throughout Chicago and abroad. According to WBEZ, Open House Chicago “gave the public access to about 130 nooks and crannies that are normally off limits, such as the store windows at Macy’s. The Chicago Architecture Foundation estimates participants made about 100,000 site visits.” These tour sites included chapel, Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes, historical society buildings, museums, office buildings, and—of course—single family homes and condos currently on the market. “Paul Bluestone, who heads the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, says this mix was on purpose: ‘It’s a United Nations of Chicago. It’s one of the most diverse communities in the country. Having a tour which focused only on the architectural relevance of some of the buildings would kind of miss the point a little bit.’” Bluestone went on to say that “I think it’s great for people to be looking in places they haven’t looked before and asking questions about buildings and history. It’s great to have curious people wandering around.” And we certainly agree with Bluestone. Chicagoans interested in purchasing a home before the holidays ought to take advantage of this warm Chicago weather while they can and visit as many houses and condos as possibly. In a single weekend, for instance, an interested home buyer could check out dozens of available homes in neighborhoods like Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Lincoln Park. To find out more about Chicago’s wonderful neighborhoods, enter your information in the box on the right and a Rock Star Chicago Real Estate Agent will get in touch with you today!

Among them are the thousands of people who turned out to participate in Open House Chicago, an architecture tour designed to appeal to nosy neighbors and potential home buyers throughout Chicago and abroad.

According to WBEZ, Open House Chicago “gave the public access to about 130 nooks and crannies that are normally off limits, such as the store windows at Macy’s. The Chicago Architecture Foundation estimates participants made about 100,000 site visits.”

These tour sites included chapel, Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes, historical society buildings, museums, office buildings, and—of course—single family homes and condos currently on the market.

“Paul Bluestone, who heads the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, says this mix was on purpose: ‘It’s a United Nations of Chicago. It’s one of the most diverse communities in the country. Having a tour which focused only on the architectural relevance of some of the buildings would kind of miss the point a little bit.’”

Bluestone went on to say that “I think it’s great for people to be looking in places they haven’t looked before and asking questions about buildings and history. It’s great to have curious people wandering around.”

And we certainly agree with Bluestone. Chicagoans interested in purchasing a home before the holidays ought to take advantage of this warm Chicago weather while they can and visit as many houses and condos as possibly.

In a single weekend, for instance, an interested home buyer could check out dozens of available homes in neighborhoods like Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Lincoln Park.

To find out more about Chicago’s wonderful neighborhoods, enter your information in the box on the right and a Rock Star Chicago Real Estate Agent will get in touch with you today!

The Neighborhood Files: Bronzeville

Lindsey Anderson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:50:43 +0000

Chicago , perhap more than most cities, a city of neighborhoods. From the broad boulevards of Lincoln Park, to the arty avenues of Pilsen, each and every neighborhood in this city possesses its own distinct energy and unique charm. Each neighborhood is worth learning a little more about. So, every other week, we’ll be featuring another neighborhood on this section of the blog, and we’ll interview someone living in that neighborhood—Someone capable of giving us the inside scoop on their ‘hood! This week I sat down with Joyce Dupler and talked to her about her experience living in Brozeville. Q: How long have you been living in Bronzeville? A: I’ve been living here for more than ten years—I moved here in February of 2001. It’s strange to think that I’ve been in the same place for over a decade! Q: Do you own or rent? A: I own. I haven’t relocated since I moved to my house in 2000—I love it too much! Q: Why did you decide to settle down in Bronzeville? A: I was looking for a reasonably priced place in a quiet neighborhood relatively close to downtown. My Bronzeville home fit the bill perfectly! Q: What do you like most about the neighborhood? A: I love the way it continues to grow on me. When I first bought my home here, I worried that I wouldn’t have much to do in the neighborhood and that I’d have to go elsewhere for shopping and nightlife. Over the years, though, I’ve discovered so many cute cafes and restaurants and boutiques—it’s been great. Q: Would you encourage others to purchase a house or condo of their own in the neighborhood? A: Definitely. I really enjoy my neighborhood, and I love my home. For more information about Chicago and its vibrant neighborhoods as well as it’s many available condos enter your information in the box to your right and a rock star real estate agent will get in touch with you to answer all your questions

Chicago , perhap more than most cities, a city of neighborhoods. From the broad boulevards of Lincoln Park, to the arty avenues of Pilsen, each and every neighborhood in this city possesses its own distinct energy and unique charm. Each neighborhood is worth learning a little more about. So, every other week, we’ll be featuring another neighborhood on this section of the blog, and we’ll interview someone living in that neighborhood—Someone capable of giving us the inside scoop on their ‘hood!

This week I sat down with Joyce Dupler and talked to her about her experience living in Brozeville.

Q: How long have you been living in Bronzeville?

A: I’ve been living here for more than ten years—I moved here in February of 2001. It’s strange to think that I’ve been in the same place for over a decade!

Q: Do you own or rent?

A: I own. I haven’t relocated since I moved to my house in 2000—I love it too much!

Q: Why did you decide to settle down in Bronzeville?

A: I was looking for a reasonably priced place in a quiet neighborhood relatively close to downtown. My Bronzeville home fit the bill perfectly!

Q: What do you like most about the neighborhood?

A: I love the way it continues to grow on me. When I first bought my home here, I worried that I wouldn’t have much to do in the neighborhood and that I’d have to go elsewhere for shopping and nightlife. Over the years, though, I’ve discovered so many cute cafes and restaurants and boutiques—it’s been great.

Q: Would you encourage others to purchase a house or condo of their own in the neighborhood?

A: Definitely. I really enjoy my neighborhood, and I love my home.

For more information about Chicago and its vibrant neighborhoods as well as it’s many available condos enter your information in the box to your right and a rock star real estate agent will get in touch with you to answer all your questions

Chicago’s Architectural Triumphs: Tribune Tower

Lindsey Anderson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:48:21 +0000

Chicago is certainly a city of beautiful buildings. Steely skyscrapers dominate the skyline of the Loop. Elegant apartment buildings are scattered throughout neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast. Edgy, arty lofts can be found in neighborhoods like Bucktown and Wicker Park. And many of Chicago’s museums and administrative buildings double as awe inspiring works of architecture. There is so much great architecture in Chicago that it can sometimes be hard to appreciate all of the architectural beauty of the buildings in Chicago. For that reason, we’ve decided to feature a few of our favorite architectural triumphs on our blog. This week, we’ll be taking a closer look at the architectural triumph that is The Tribune Tower. The Tribune Tower may not be one of the biggest buildings in Chicago, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful and—arguably—one of the most interesting, as well. In 1922, the owners of the Chicago Tribune decided to host an international design competition, inviting architects from all over the world to wow them with “the most beautiful and distinctive office building in the world.” Dozens of architects entered the competition, but the winning design belonged to John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, New York-based architects with a penchant for neo-Gothic design and flying buttresses. Howells and Hood were awarded a $50,000 prize for their design, and their fame spread quickly around the world. With its sleek stone and its gorgeous gothic sensibilities, the Tower looks as beautiful now as it did in the early 1920s, and many Chicagoans cite the Tribune Tower as their favorite building in downtown Chicago. All in all, the tower, which overlooks the Chicago River and is only a stone’s throw away from other landmark buildings, like the Trump Tower, is well worth a visit. To find out more about Chicago’s wonderful architecture, enter your information in the box on the right and a Rock Star Chicago Real Estate Agent will get in touch with you today!

There is so much great architecture in Chicago that it can sometimes be hard to appreciate all of the architectural beauty of the buildings in Chicago.

For that reason, we’ve decided to feature a few of our favorite architectural triumphs on our blog. This week, we’ll be taking a closer look at the architectural triumph that is The Tribune Tower.

The Tribune Tower may not be one of the biggest buildings in Chicago, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful and—arguably—one of the most interesting, as well.

In 1922, the owners of the Chicago Tribune decided to host an international design competition, inviting architects from all over the world to wow them with “the most beautiful and distinctive office building in the world.”

Dozens of architects entered the competition, but the winning design belonged to John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, New York-based architects with a penchant for neo-Gothic design and flying buttresses. Howells and Hood were awarded a $50,000 prize for their design, and their fame spread quickly around the world.

With its sleek stone and its gorgeous gothic sensibilities, the Tower looks as beautiful now as it did in the early 1920s, and many Chicagoans cite the Tribune Tower as their favorite building in downtown Chicago. All in all, the tower, which overlooks the Chicago River and is only a stone’s throw away from other landmark buildings, like the Trump Tower, is well worth a visit.

To find out more about Chicago’s wonderful architecture, enter your information in the box on the right and a Rock Star Chicago Real Estate Agent will get in touch with you today!

Taste Of Chicago

Andy Nathan — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:44:51 +0000

While this is still a few months off, the Taste of Chicago is going to have a major overhaul this year. The Taste, which generally is a 10 day food fest during before, during, and after the 4th of July will be moved this year. New mayor, new strategy for the food fest. Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has decided that the Chicago tradition will be a little bit different this year. First, the event is being moved to the middle of July, completely avoiding the 4th traffic that comes with it. While I can understand the move, since in past years a huge surge in crowds and the 2008 shooting of Courtney Thomas meant a change was inevitable. At the same time, part of the reason for it being so popular was because this happened around Independence weekend when families could easily get out to enjoy the event. The other downer is that Chicago will have less of a chance to display their award winning restaurants as a shortened event means that attendance will be down. Second, that leads to the shrinking the length of the event. I can understand moving it away from the Independence events. I can even see getting rid of the fireworks. I do not understand why they needed to cut it in half. During the week a number of downtown employees enjoy many a good meal at the Taste during the summer. In the end, the Taste will still offer the amazing slices of cuisine that crop the Chicago landscape. My mouth is already watering over the buttery corn that drips over my hand as I stare down the deep dish pizza stalls at the Taste of Chicago.

New mayor, new strategy for the food fest. Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has decided that the Chicago tradition will be a little bit different this year.

First, the event is being moved to the middle of July, completely avoiding the 4^th traffic that comes with it. While I can understand the move, since in past years a huge surge in crowds and the 2008 shooting of Courtney Thomas meant a change was inevitable.

At the same time, part of the reason for it being so popular was because this happened around Independence weekend when families could easily get out to enjoy the event. The other downer is that Chicago will have less of a chance to display their award winning restaurants as a shortened event means that attendance will be down.

Second, that leads to the shrinking the length of the event. I can understand moving it away from the Independence events. I can even see getting rid of the fireworks. I do not understand why they needed to cut it in half. During the week a number of downtown employees enjoy many a good meal at the Taste during the summer.

In the end, the Taste will still offer the amazing slices of cuisine that crop the Chicago landscape. My mouth is already watering over the buttery corn that drips over my hand as I stare down the deep dish pizza stalls at the Taste of Chicago.

Wrigleyville Neighborhood

Andy Nathan — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:03:47 +0000

When you are talking about classic Chicago, it does not get any better than Wrigleyville. The area is named after the iconic Chicago Cubs baseball team that has played at Wrigley Field since 1914. Unfortunately, the Cubs have never won a World Series in this amazing structure. However, the area is, by no means, a loser. Wrigleyville is one of the liveliest and interesting parts of the entire city. From John Barleycorn and the Cubby Bear to the great restaurants that surround Wrigley, this is a great place to live if you enjoy a good time. During the summer it feels as if there is a game going on every day. Traffic gets a little heavy, but the Brown and Red Line that goes through the area is a quick and easy way to get into downtown in about 5-10 minutes. [mappress] The housing prices in this area are a bit steep because the area is so highly prized by Cubs fans who want to live close to their perennially losing team year after year. That being said the condos and homes in the area are top of the line, so people can get their money’s worth from the investment. Additionally, since this is a smaller neighborhood than the larger East and West Lakeview, it is a more prized area to own property. This area is one Cubs World Series pennant away from being the best neighborhood in Chicago. In the meantime, you have the “Lovable Losers” and their fans to keep you company on a warm Chicago night as you eat at one of the many beer gardens in the area.

However, the area is, by no means, a loser. Wrigleyville is one of the liveliest and interesting parts of the entire city.

From John Barleycorn and the Cubby Bear to the great restaurants that surround Wrigley, this is a great place to live if you enjoy a good time. During the summer it feels as if there is a game going on every day. Traffic gets a little heavy, but the Brown and Red Line that goes through the area is a quick and easy way to get into downtown in about 5-10 minutes.

The housing prices in this area are a bit steep because the area is so highly prized by Cubs fans who want to live close to their perennially losing team year after year. That being said the condos and homes in the area are top of the line, so people can get their money’s worth from the investment.

Additionally, since this is a smaller neighborhood than the larger East and West Lakeview, it is a more prized area to own property.

This area is one Cubs World Series pennant away from being the best neighborhood in Chicago. In the meantime, you have the “Lovable Losers” and their fans to keep you company on a warm Chicago night as you eat at one of the many beer gardens in the area.

Museum of Science & Industry

Andy Nathan — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:53:25 +0000

Perhaps it is the child in me, but I really enjoy going to the Museum of Science and Industry. Maybe it is the awesome surroundings of the University of Chicago that just seem so collegiate. Or perhaps it is the gigantic train set they have of an almost miniature of downtown Chicago as the train slowly leads out to the farms of the Midwest. I could stare at it for hours. As a kid, I used to go to the old time theater where they still charged a dime to get into the theater. It was the first time I heard of this Charlie Chaplin guy. The magnificent old-time street leading into the theater on one end and the line of early 20th century cars on the other was just cool. From the trips into space to a look back into the deep history of evolution, there is something for everyone, in my opinion. In the exhibit of the mind, they actually have a game where you compete against someone to move a coin by relaxing. The person who is able to relax their mind is the one who can move the coin furthest. In terms of price, the great thing is that there are a number of free days throughout the year where Chicago residents do not have to pay. The downside is that these days generally fall on a weekday when people are working. However, with a little planning, your vacation days could be more exciting for the entire family. The Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to go when you are looking to have a few hours of relaxation away from it all.

As a kid, I used to go to the old time theater where they still charged a dime to get into the theater. It was the first time I heard of this Charlie Chaplin guy. The magnificent old-time street leading into the theater on one end and the line of early 20^th century cars on the other was just cool.

From the trips into space to a look back into the deep history of evolution, there is something for everyone, in my opinion. In the exhibit of the mind, they actually have a game where you compete against someone to move a coin by relaxing. The person who is able to relax their mind is the one who can move the coin furthest.

In terms of price, the great thing is that there are a number of free days throughout the year where Chicago residents do not have to pay. The downside is that these days generally fall on a weekday when people are working. However, with a little planning, your vacation days could be more exciting for the entire family.

The Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to go when you are looking to have a few hours of relaxation away from it all.