Anne Rossley

From Buena Park, Sheridan Park, East Ravenswood and Hutchinson Historic Districts to the "Theater Corner" (Aragon, Riviera, Green Mill), this neighborhood has lots to offer. It hasn't hit its peak -- watch as the Lawrence Ave/Broadway corridor becomes Chicago's center for music and entertainment--aficionados already travel to the famous Green Mill Tavern, where Al Capone & Frank Sinatra performed and Untouchables/High Fidelity were filmed. Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, and Tom Mix were at Essanay Studios where they filmed the first moving pictures in America. Chicago's finest architects designed mansions for Hutchinson Street - right off Lake Shore Drive. Recent Lawrence Ave renovations (including best Metra stop) make this a 15 minute commute to the loop by train. And, the housing prices are reasonable!

Lincoln Square combines old world charm, fantastic city parks, amazing local restaurants, and is rated "a walker's paradise" by WalkScore - a 98! It includes a variety of micro-neighborhoods and Chicago history - Rosehill Cemetery and Bowmanville, Welles Park and Sulzer Regional Library, a lovely portion of the Chicago River, and terrific locally-owned shops and restaurants in the Square itself. Old Town School of Folk Music, Cafe Selmarie, historic Kraus Music (Studio V), Chopping Block and the famous Lincoln Statue are some of my favorite landmarks. The Brown Line cuts through Lincoln Square, which has elevated home prices over the last 15 years. Kids come from all over Chicago to play baseball and football in the Welles Park sports programs. Housing stock is terrific - there are great new construction and vintage houses, multi-unit properties for investors, and also terrific condos for first time buyers.

I've lived in Edgewater (Lakewood Balmoral Historic District) for 14 years - We've raised 3 children here, and we love it! We walk to Clark St (Andersonville) shopping/restaurants, Bryn Mawr Ave. restaurants, and the lakefront. I'm able to walk Dewey (our Labradoodle) to the Foster Ave. dog beach in 10 minutes, and we enjoy easy access to Lake Shore Drive - commuting to the Loop and Michigan Avenue is a breeze! Andersonville is very eco-friendly, and neighbors are strong supporters of locally owned businesses.

Given the wealth of amenities, proximity to Lake Michigan, and reasonable home prices, I agree with Chicago Magazine that Lakewood Balmoral (and Edgewater) is the best neighborhood in Chicago!