UPTOWN
Quick Facts
Current Prices: $89,000 to $1,350,000
Closed Prices: $65,000 to $1,912,500
Median Sale Price: $320,000
Average $ per sq ft: $215
Association Fee Ranges: $0,$35 to $2269/mo
Type: Attached Home (Condo, Townhouse, Loft, etc.), Single Family Home
Age: 1889 to 2021
Sq. Ft.: 1 to 45,000sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 0 to 6 bedrooms
Bathrooms: 1 to 6 bathrooms
(based on data from the last 12 months)
Price Vibes
From homes to entertainment, Uptown screams affordability, especially when taken into the context of the North Side. Featuring a wide range of home styles, the neighborhood mostly offers townhomes and mid-rise condos, with a few single-family homes sprinkled in. Closer towards the lake are newer condo units, offering a more luxurious side of Uptown. If you are looking for lakeside living at an attainable price, look no further than Uptown.
Where to Live
The southernmost portion of Uptown has a decidedly urban feel, with vintage penthouses offering plenty of space and modern condominiums integrated with shopping districts and corner stores. Further north, near Andersonville, the neighborhood has a slightly more suburban feel with fenced-in yards, spacious gardens, and plenty of street parking. A variety of Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese establishments can be found in the northeast section of Uptown, known as Asia on Argyle.
The Red Line train cuts through the center of the neighborhood, stopping at Argyle, Lawrence, and Wilson. Residents living further east are within walking distance of lakeside amenities such as the Lakefront Trail and Montrose Beach.
Where to Eat
With Uptown's rich history as an immigrant neighborhood and cultural melting pot, inhabitants of this area can experience cuisines from all over the world. The Asia on Argyle district offers plenty of spots to get a great bowl of pho — start with Tank Noodle — and the Peking duck at Sun Wah BBQ is a culinary adventure you’ll remember fondly. Further south on Broadway Street, Demera serves up some of the finest Ethiopian cuisine that you’ll find in Chicago. Old-school diners and late-night Mexican restaurants also abound, and thanks to Uptown’s working-class sensibility, you won't break the bank heading out for a bite to eat.
What You'll See
With affordably priced housing and quiet residential areas, Uptown is an ideal spot for everyone from families to college students to artists. The neighborhood’s historic venues still host some of the biggest names in music, so expect to see fans lining up outside the Riviera Theatre, Aragon Ballroom, and Green Mill. Near the lake, you’ll find Uptown's residents taking a quiet respite from the city with a walk through the park or perhaps taking a furry friend to Montrose Dog Beach.
Friday Night Fun
Uptown's entertainment district is known far and wide as a guaranteed good time. Party with your favorite rapper while they’re in town performing at the Aragon Ballroom or rock out to your favorite band at the Riviera Theatre. For a more mellow night, grab a drink at the famous Green Mill Cocktail Lounge and listen to world-class jazz musicians play in an intimate setting.
The Perfect Sunday
Meet some friends at Montrose Beach for a pickup game of beach volleyball followed by a picnic by the lake. Let the local bike shop give your bike a tune-up while you rest at a coffee shop, then hit the Lakefront Trail to take in views of Lake Michigan. Head west to explore Graceland Cemetery, where visitors from all over come to pay their respects to some of Chicago's most famous residents.
Transportation Options
The main transportation hubs of Uptown are the two Red Line stations at Lawrence Avenue and Wilson Drive. This line runs north/south along the coast of Lake Michigan and will take you (almost) anywhere in Chicago. There are bus routes running east/west on Foster Avenue and Lawrence Avenue that will carry you to the beach or nearby Ravenswood. If you need to travel Downtown, hop on a north/south route along Marine Drive, Sheridan Road, North Broadway, or Clark Street. Close proximity to Lake Shore Drive makes traveling by car a breeze (but actually, look out for those high winds rolling off the lake) and parking is relatively easy to come by this far north.