Near West Side

Despite its name, the Near West Side is in Chicago’s West Side. Located across the Chicago River from The Loop, the community consists of several smaller enclaves— a testament to its cultural diversity. These neighborhoods include West Loop, Greektown, Tri-Taylor, Illinois Medical District, University Village, and Little Italy. I-290 cuts through the middle of the Near West Side, while I-90 runs north to south near the river. In a nutshell, the Near West Side is ideally located, exciting, and the very picture of a salad bowl community.

What to love

• The location

  The Near West Side is the place to be if you want the action of The Loop without its frenzied activity. Just cross the river and you’re there. Sometimes, you don’t even need to go beyond the Near West Side. The two neighborhoods are so interconnected that The Loop’s cool energy seeps into the Near West Side. As a result, cool cafes, restaurants, and nightlife now abound.

• Amazing dining spots

  Intimate dinners, great cocktails, and casual weekend brunches can all be had at the Near West Side. The neighborhood is sprinkled with independent and locally owned cafes, bars, and restaurants. Leña Brava brings wood-fired Mexican classics to the city, as well as a fine selection of mezcal from Oaxaca and Michocán. For the quintessential diner experience, there’s Palace Grill near United Center. Other notable mentions include Sinhá (homestyle Brazilian), The Press Room (New American and fine wine), and Duck Duck Goat (Chinese)

• Plethora of recreational activities

  The Near West Side is the home of the annual Pitchfork Music Festival, which is held at Union Park. It’s the neighborhood’s answer to Grant Park’s Lollapalooza across the river. Previous headliners include The National, Mitski, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Tame Impala, and Kendrick Lamar. For sports fans, the United Center is the home of the Chicago Bulls and hosts several NBA games throughout the season.

Real estate snapshot

The Near West Side housing market is composed of multi-family complexes, apartments, and high-rise condominiums. The median listing price in the neighborhood as of date is $415,000, while properties spent an average of 71 days on the market.

Learn more about Near West Side and your real estate options here. Call top Chicago Realtor Ann Rossley today at 773.620.5333 or send an email here