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Overview
Like many of its Northwest Side neighbors, Bucktown is apt at embracing urban trends and boutique businesses while maintaining the charm of a residential neighborhood. The side streets that comprise Bucktown's residential pockets feature single-family homes, plenty of parks and greenery, and popular neighborhood haunts; the main roads offer shopping and dining options to satisfy every taste. Damen Avenue, which cuts through the heart of the neighborhood, has the highest concentration of bars, eateries, and unique shops, but Armitage Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue also offer plenty of options for dining and nightlife. Bucktown residents are just as likely to visit the same local restaurant every Friday as they are to line up to try out the newest (read: trendiest) addition to the neighborhood.
Homes in Bucktown
Where To Live
This popular neighborhood features both historic vintage homes and sleek modern condos. With a vast network of side streets, single-family homes are especially popular in Bucktown. Condominium developments are also scattered throughout the area, especially around the intersection near Damen, North, and Milwaukee. Being close to these main thoroughfares also means being closer to the noise, whereas the tree-lined residential streets are calmer and quieter.
Price Vibes
Bucktown isn’t quite as outlandish as it wants you to think (at least compared to its neighbors, Lincoln Park and Wicker Park). While single-family homes certainly boast a very high price point, a reasonable amount of walk-up condo units offer (relatively) more affordable housing options. For a neighborhood that has a reputation for being pricey, you’re actually not looking at a much higher barrier to entry than, say, Logan Square.
Around Bucktown
Where To Eat
Bucktown specializes in the gourmet and offers cuisines from around the world. Popular Korean, Japanese, Italian, French, and Cuban spots dot the neighborhood, especially down Damen Avenue. While casual carry-out options and national chains can also be found here, boutique is king in Bucktown. Corner restaurants are scattered throughout the area and plenty of new restaurants have popped up along Milwaukee Avenue.
Friday Night Fun
A Friday night in Bucktown can start dozens of different ways. You might kick off the evening at a summer street festival, by sampling the menu from a food truck, by bar hopping between places along Damen and North Avenue, by visiting an art gallery for wine and viewing a new exhibit, or by walking over to a nearby venue to catch a show, seeing nationally touring acts from just blocks away from home.
The Perfect Sunday
Brunch spots litter the neighborhood, giving you plenty of options for skillets, mimosas, and patio seating. Cafes offer a quick pick-me-up, which you could take along with you on the 606, an elevated trail for walking, jogging, and biking. Peruse nearby shops for a new book or clothes before taking a stroll through Holstein Park, and end the day with a bike ride along the Chicago River.
Transportation Options
Bucktown is a fairly far-reaching neighborhood, which means individual pockets are very walkable, but you will want to take a car or bus if you are planning to explore the whole area. The eastern border, established by the north branch of the Chicago River, is particularly spread out and best navigated by a vehicle of sorts. Bus routes run east/west along Diversey Avenue, Fullerton Avenue, Armitage Avenue, and North Avenue, while a north/south route runs along Damen Avenue and there is a northwest/southeast line along Milwaukee Avenue. The Blue Line also runs parallel to Milwaukee Avenue, taking you southeast to the Loop or northwest to the latest new restaurant in Logan Square. Meanwhile, the Metra runs parallel to the expressway, carrying you south to the Ogilvie Transportation Center or all the way to the northern suburbs.
The Bloomingdale Trail--a former elevated railroad that's been rehabilitated into a greenway--which stretches for over two-and-a-half miles and connects parks across Logan Square and Bucktown, offers a distinct space for walking, running, and biking.
Living Here
Locals Love
Variety of Restaurants • Unique Shops and Boutiques • Picturesque • Easy Access to Public Transportation • Active Nightlife for Locals
Residents Say
Even though Bucktown has a reputation for being a hip neighborhood, I'm constantly surprised by the number of people who have lived here for generations, and it's hard to find a reason for them to go elsewhere. The neighborhood somehow blends a residential atmosphere with some of the most exciting but also established restaurants and stores in Chicago. Le Bouchon has been around for over 20 years, back when the neighborhood was an afterthought, but still retains the neighborhood-centric appeal that makes Bucktown a truly special place in Chicago.
- Bucktown Resident
Homes for Sale
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