South Edgebrook Facts

Location: About 12 miles northwest of the Loop.
Boundaries: Caldwell Avenue to the north, Cicero Avenue to the east, Bryn Mawr Avenue to the south and Laramie Avenue to the west
Bordering Neighborhoods: Edgebrook, Forest Glen, Sauganash, Jefferson Park, Skokie
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap for crime stats on specific Chicago neighborhood, intersection, address or police beat.
[Back To Top]

Then and Now

Long before South Edgebrook became the predominantly residential setting that it is today, the land was Native American territory and home to the Potawatomi Indians. In 1828, the United States awarded the tract of land upon which South Edgebrook now sits to Potawatomi chief Billy Caldwell for successfully mediating treaties between the U.S. and the Potawatomi.

South Edgebrook eventually became part of the city of Chicago in 1889, and although a train station was built nearby, development was slow to take off. During the roaring 1920s, however, construction picked up, as those who were weary of the city's hustle and bustle -- but still wanted the benefits of living in its proximity -- built homes nestled in the thick wooded landscape.

Today the South Edgebrook neighborhood, flanked by forest preserves and a golf course, is almost exclusively residential. There are still charming homes nestled in the woods, and industry has stayed away from this quiet, outlying section of Chicago. South Edgebrook is a peaceful, well-to-do Chicago neighborhood that attracts city workers, their families, and other folks who want to be closer to nature yet still within the city's boundaries.
[Back To Top]

Parks

It's easy to get out and enjoy the nature that surrounds this north side Chicago neighborhood. Relaxing, outdoor recreation spots are everywhere you look, with a golf course on one end and a wooded park on the other. Edgebrook Golf Course (6100 N. Central Ave, 773-763-8320), part of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, sits among oversized trees near the North Branch of the Chicago River. Though this course is relatively short, it is quite challenging -- especially its signature fifth hole, a 93-yard par three with an elevated green. For those who prefer alternative sports, Edgebrook Golf Course also offers disc golf, a game in which you throw a disc (similar to a Frisbee) into a basket. It may sound easy, but a game of disc golf will put your coordination and stamina to the test. The disc golf course runs adjacent to the regulation course.

If you like to dine with nature, bring your basket full of goodies to the picturesque picnic grove at nearby Edgebrook Woods (5900 N Central Ave). Just park your car, find the perfect spot near the Chicago River's North Branch or beneath the trees, and enjoy a sensory feast complete with chirping birds, the gentle "whoosh" of the river, and the sweet smell of wildflowers and grasses. For a memorable summertime celebration, plan a picnic with a group of family and friends at this peaceful northwest Chicago neighborhood treasure. There's a large shelter nearby, so a passing shower won't ruin your party, and restrooms are also onsite. Note that a picnic permit is required for groups of 25 people or more; contact the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for more information if you're planning a big gathering.

A variety of wildlife calls Edgebrook Woods home. Bird-watches are in luck, as hundreds of bird species live in and migrate through the area. Keep your eye on the woods' lower branches and brush for dark-eyed juncos, and check out the tall trees near the river flats for brown creepers. If you're lucky (and patient), you might also catch a glimpse of woodpeckers (including the downy, hairy, and red-bellied varieties), large groups of robins, and even a white-breasted nuthatcher or two. Mallards are a common sight on the river, and white-tailed deer rustle through the woods, especially in spring. Edgebrook Woods' natural landscape makes it easy to imagine the Potawatomi quietly canoeing on the river and enjoying its surrounding beauty just a few hundred years before you discovered the same enchanting spot.
[Back To Top]

Real Estate

South Edgebrook homes are well-kept and bordered by the natural grandeur of the area's greenery. Many houses sit on oversized lots surrounded by towering trees that provide shade, and an air of permanence. You'll find a variety of architectural styles here, including Chicago bungalows, charming Victorians, contemporary designs, and more.

In some sections of this tiny northwest side neighborhood, smaller brick ranches line the streets. Many of these one-story homes, with two or three bedrooms, are priced between $400,000 and $700,000. Attached garages and full front and back yards make these homes family favorites. Two-story houses up the price a bit -- as can be expected -- putting the value at anywhere between $700,000 and $950,000.

Forest Glen Residential Real Estate Info (Includes South Edgebrook Neighborhood)

Source: Multiple Listings Service of Northern Illinois
[Back To Top]

Getting Around

Although South Edgebrook is somewhat secluded from the rest of the city, it boasts good transportation options to downtown Chicago, the northern suburbs, and beyond. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) provides regular bus service on Peterson and Cicero avenues, making travel to other parts of the city via public transportation almost effortless.

Drivers can easily access the Edens Expressway (I-94), which runs alongside the South Edgebrook neighborhood. Bicyclists are in luck, too -- they can take advantage of the scenic North Branch Bicycle Trail, which begins just to the north at Caldwell and Devon avenues in neighboring Edgebrook and travels 20 miles north through several suburban areas. Also in neighboring Edgebrook is a stop for the Metra Milwaukee District North Line train, which takes commuters all the way from Fox Lake, Illinois to Chicago's Union Station just outside the Loop.
[Back To Top]

Basic Needs

South Edgebrook is mainly a residential neighborhood with little else but an outdoor preserve and a golf course within its narrow borders.

Transit

Chicago Transit Authority (888) 968-7282
Metra Milwaukee District North Line - (312) 322-6777

Recreation

Billy Caldwell Golf Course 6200 N Caldwell Ave - (773) 792-1930
Edgebrook Golf Course 6100 N Central Ave - (773) 763-8320
Edgebrook Woods 5900 N Central Ave
[Back To Top]

There's a lot of mystery involved in searching for a new homeit starts with the property and expands outward to encompass the street, the block, the neighborhood, the entire city! Every little thing matters from the color of the walls to the attractions of the town. That's why a guide like this one on South Edgebrook is so helpful to potential homebuyers. Without leaving the comfort of your desktop computer or laptop, you've got an extensive pool of information on all of Chicago's neighborhoods that includes first-hand descriptions of dining, entertainment, shopping, bars, and events, in addition to lists of schools, hospitals, post offices, and gyms. We've done all the research to carefully craft this one-stop online spot, and create your hub for the real deal on South Edgebrook. So as soon as a Chicago loft, condo, townhome or house catches your eye, you know where to come for the low down on the digs around that prime piece of real estate.
[Back To Top]