Named after Chicago's famous Wrigley Field, this north side
neighborhood is packed with energy, especially when the Cubs are in
town. All summer long the streets are filled with local fans and
out-of-towners dressed in jeans, Cubs t's and baseball caps who flock
to the field in support of their favorite baseball team. Stop by before
or after a game and you'll swear you're walking through a giant street
fair.
Despite its bustling streets with constant traffic jams and limited
parking (most lots are reserved for Cubs games), Wrigleyville remains
one of Chicago's most popular residential neighborhoods. You can bet
that many of its inhabitants are under the age of 30, but there are
also plenty of families that live here. As you may have guessed, one of
the biggest perks to owning a home in Wrigleyville is its close
proximity to the field. On game days, locals barely have to leave the
house to get to the bleachers.
One of the smartest things to do, especially while visiting on game
days, is to seek dining advice from Wrigleyville locals, as the
ballpark food has earned a reputation as some of the worst in the Major
Leagues. Do yourself a favor and head to one of the neighborhood's
independent eateries instead. You'll have to wait in line for a while,
especially if you head to the popular Uncommon Ground, but you won't
care once you're noshing on the restaurants signature sweet potato
fries and prairie mac n' cheese. If a greasy breakfast plate or pancake
stacks are more your style, move it a few blocks south to Salt and
Pepper Diner.
There are plenty of dining spots ranging from cheap joints to casual
elegance, but Wrigleyville really shines when it comes to local
watering holes. This Chicago neighborhood has almost as many pubs as it
does housing and they are always jam-packed. Locals who aren't so
interested in the shoulder-to-shoulder atmosphere of the fans' favorite
bars, tend to head farther north where the bars are still bustling, but
slightly less crowded.
Many residents of Wrigleyville feel like they're living the American
Dream—the neighborhood is, after all, home to our country's favorite
pastime. In fact, you can even find a few white picket fences
surrounding some of the single-family detached homes. But most of the
housing in this neighborhood consists of mid-rise buildings (some
complete with rooftop bleachers for watching the Cubs play), modern
condos and a few charming brownstones. A one or two bedroom will cost
you around $370,000, but if you've got the time to scavenge high and
low, you very well may find a place under $200,000. The more lavish
condos jump in price to $650,000 or more and detached single-family
homes are well over a million.