West Lakeview Real Estate
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West Lakeview Home Sales Statistics

West Lakeview Facts

Location: 4 miles north of the Loop
Boundaries: Ashland Avenue to the east, Diversey Avenue to the south, Belmont Avenue to the north and the Chicago River North Branch to the west
Demographics: For zip code 60657 which includes West Lakeview neighborhood
Median household income: $55,647

Median Age: 30.9
72.8% of population 25 and over have bachelor's degree or higher
White 86.2%
Black or African American 3.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.3%
Hispanic or Latino 7.9%
Asian 5.0%
Other race 5.5%
Two or more races 3.1%
Hispanic or Latino 1.9%
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000)
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap to search specific streets and areas for crime incidents
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Then and Now

Offering better views of the Chicago River than Lake Michigan -- which is a bit too far east to see from this Chicago neighborhood -- West Lakeview has come into its own after nearly two centuries of being tied to a greater Lakeview area. In the early to mid 19th century, as Chicago's north shore suburbs began to expand, several different community areas existed under the umbrella Lakeview district. The name Lakeview, of course, was inspired by its proximity to Lake Michigan and the views it afforded its residents at the time. As the settlement expanded westward, the view of the lake diminished, but the spirit revolving around Lakeview as a new community soared.

In 1857, when Lakeview Township became a legally recognized community, the borders ran from the lake east to Western Avenue, and from Fullerton Avenue north to Devon Avenue -- a relatively bigger area than encompassed by the Lakeview neighborhoods today. Incorporated as a city in 1887, the thriving town of European immigrants seemed poised to grow into a metropolitan area alongside Chicago. However, Lakeview's short-lived career as a separate and independent city ended two years later when it was annexed to the growing city to the south. Over the next century, Lakeview, while still a distinct Chicago community as a whole, has compartmentalized into several smaller tight-knit neighborhoods including Roscoe Village, Wrigleyville, East Lakeview and hometown West Lakeview.
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Parks

With the lake a bit off the beaten path for West Lakeview residents, we find that Hamlin Park (3035 N Hoyne Ave, 312-742-7785) is the perfect remedy, providing city dwellers like us with enough activities and open green space to fill our endless summer days with outdoor fun. Created in 1910 to ease congestion in this growing Chicago neighborhood, the park's eight acres feature tennis and basketball courts, a softball field and enough grassy areas to spread out a blanket for a picnic or toss a Frisbee around. West Lakeviewers also have the opportunity to take boxing or cheer leading classes at the park's fieldhouse, and kids can attend day camps there throughout the summer.

For the tots, parents can point their strollers north for the one block walk to Fellger Playlot Park (2000 W. Belmont Ave., 312-742-7785) at the corner of Damen and Belmont Avenues. This small, gated park features a sandlot, basketball courts and a spray pool for cooling down on hot summer days. We find this playlot to be the best place to keep a close eye on the little ones.
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Real Estate

There's no question West Lakeview has a family feel, evident by the bands of stroller-pushing parents marching down the sidewalks and children of all ages playing in the neighborhood parks. But along the quiet, tree-lined streets of West Lakeview are an appealing mix of housing options that suit the needs of all types of Chicago residents from families to singles to empty-nesters. The stock of single-family homes, two- and three-flats and courtyard condominiums offer West Lakeviewers a variety of styles and living spaces. Modern lofts and condos provide contemporary floor plans and new amenities, while the long-established brick apartment buildings and flats afford more traditional units with old-fashioned charm. A one-bedroom condo in West Lakeview starts around $240,000 reaching into the high $300,000s. The price of a two-bedroom ranges from the mid $200,000s (not including garage parking) to the mid $500,000s (which includes one or two-car garages). A few two-bedroom single-family homes are scattered throughout West Lakeview, but most private dwellings are large properties, offering a lot of space and a hefty price tag. The average sales price for a three-bedroom place is about $570,000, while another bedroom or two will raise the price to eight- or nine-hundred thousand, with many homes going for somewhere between the one and two million dollar range.

What's on the Menu?

The dining options in West Lakeview are rather limited, which residents don't mind because nearby Lakeview has plenty of restaurants for everyone. Still, we aren't left completly out on a limb when it comes to local grub.

A neighborhood institution, the Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont Ave., 773-281-4444) gives West Lakeview residents a quality late night dining and entertainment option. The Beat part comes from the live music room in the back and the Kitchen serves up far better than average bar fare. You can't go wrong trying any one of Beat Kitchen's many specialty pizzas (the Thai pizza is our favorite: peanut sauce, smoked chicken and jalepenos). Their leafy greens are also crowd pleasers -- bacon, bleu cheese and pine nuts make the Beat Salad a clientele favorite. The fully seasoned half-pound Beat Burger is the perfect foundation for a night of drinking -- not that we would ever overindulge -- and for the vegetarians among us, the grilled portabella sandwich is a tasty option. A fire in the 90s forced the Beat Kitchen to remodel and unfortunately the antique wood bar had to go, but much of the wood grain feel of the bar room has been maintained. The recent soundproofing and redesigning of the venue's music room has allowed local promoters to host bigger all-ages shows including many out-of-town acts.

It's probably not surprising that with the limited number of establishments in the neighborhood one chain makes an appearance twice over on the streets of West Lakeview. Have a guess what it is? We'll give you a hint: they have locations all over the world, they specialize in coffee, and their name rhymes with&uh, well, that one's a little hard to come up with. Okay, it's Starbucks (2159 West Belmont Ave, 773-935-5680; 1700 Diversey Parkway, 773-665-8650) they have two different stores in the neighborhood to supply residents with their java jolt daily and nightly.
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Best Shopping Stops

The West Lakeview neighborhood shares its northern border with Roscoe Village at Belmont Avenue, which is home to Antiques Row, the largest concentration of antiques stores in the Midwest. Antique Resources (1741 W. Belmont, 773-871-4242) specializes in European furniture, some of which dates back to the 17th century. Have the owner buzz you in and browse the aisles for hidden antique treasures. The shop also features an impressive selection of paintings and lighting fixtures. We find it helpful that the store posts magazine and newspaper clippings next to certain items to give would-be buyers a sense of the history of the particular piece. Take a step back in time and hear the clocks ticking at Father Time Antiques (2108 W. Belmont Ave, 773-880-5599). This time shop is the largest retailer of antique clocks, and wrist and pocket watches in the Midwest. Their prices may be a little high for the amateur collector, but their master watchmakers are some of the best in the business. For a little mishmash of all that is both good and old, we find Good Old Days Antiques (2138 W. Belmont, 773-472-8837) to be the best bet for browsing. Sometimes we don't necessarily know what we want until we stumble upon it. This shop has a good selection of antique radios, but also furniture, photographs and other antiquated curiosities to add some old-fashioned charm to your West Lakeview abode.
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Night on the Town

West Lakeview is not party central, which is why we like it, but there are a few nightspots in the neighborhood that are worth checking out. The Hungry Brain (2319 W. Belmont Ave. 773-935-2118) is a hip, yet unpretentious night spot decked out in a hodgepodge of thrift store treasures. Add a great jukebox selection and a few old-school video games and you have a comfy neighborhood bar that hosts improvisational jazz on Sunday nights. We find the drink selection to be as unpretentious as the decor; mostly domestic beer choices with a few imports, and your usual suspects of mixed drink options. Named after Chicago's electricians union IBEW Local 134, in honor of its original clientele, Bar 134 (2345 W Belmont Ave. 773-549-4444) has transformed itself from a strictly working-class watering hole into a happening weekend nightspot complete with DJs and a dance floor. But don't worry, the bar's new status hasn't done away with old amusements like TVs, pool tables, and reasonably priced domestic beers.

Cody's Public House (1658 W Barry Ave 773-528-4050) is a corner bar to beat all. Cheap brews, free snacks, darts, and an outdoor beer garden -- for when the warm weather hits -- make this one of our neighborhood favorites. By the crowds that show up here on the weekends, it seems the rest of West Lakeview would agree. Showtime! The West Lakeview neighborhood may not be a theatre district, but it is home to independent theatrical productions nonetheless. The non-profit Viaduct Theatre (3111 N Western Ave, 773-296-6024) was founded in 1998 to produce live theatre and music, and to host independent film screenings. Named for its proximity to the Western Avenue overpass at Belmont Avenue, this old warehouse building has been transformed into a small theatre complex. There is a studio stage for smaller productions as well as a larger main stage. We find the lobby of the Viaduct to be less stuffy than many theaters, and an overall relaxed ambiance is provided -- thanks to a full bar serving beer in bottles and cans as well as mixed drinks. There is also a pool table for pre-show and intermission entertainment.
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Getting Around

Whether we're heading east to the lake, downtown for the day or out of town to escape city life for a bit, this Chicago neighborhood makes it easy to get around. Bus lines are the major arteries of public transportation in West Lakeview. Use the Belmont #77 to get you to the Red and Brown Line Belmont train stop to the east, or the Belmont Blue Line train stop to the west. Take the Diversey #76 east to catch the Brown Line or to catch some rays at Lake Michigan. The Western #49, or the much faster Western 49x express bus, will transport you south to the Western Avenue stations of the Blue Line, the Pink Line or the Orange Line (to Midway Airport). Hop on the Damen #50 north to the Brown Line Damen stop or south for shopping in Wicker Park/Bucktown. Cabs are in no short supply around here, and can be found in abundance along Clybourn and Belmont avenues, which happens to accommodate a branch of American United Cab Company (2353 W. Belmont Ave. 773-248-7600). We find that it is still relatively easy to park in West Lakeview and easily accessible by car but the best way to get around any Chicago neighborhood is on foot although West Lakeview's many one-way side streets make it perfect for bike riding, too. School's in Session More information on Chicago area schools is available at our Chicago Guide Schools page, but here is list of schools in the West Lakeview neighborhood.

Jahn Elementary School 3149 N Wolcott Ave - (773) 534-5500
Schneider Elementary School 2957 N Hoyne Ave - (773) 534-5510
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Basic Needs

Police Stations

19th District 2452 W. Belmont Ave - (312) 744-5983

Transit

Chicago Transit Authority (888) 968-7282
American United Cab Company 2353 W. Belmont Ave. - (773) 248-7600

Pharmacies

Walgreen's 1649 W Belmont Ave - (773) 281-8439

Gyms

Slim & Tone 2044 W Belmont Ave - (773) 244-3159

PARKS

Fellger Playlot Park 2000 W Belmont Ave - (312) 742-7785
Hamlin Park 3035 N Hoyne Ave - (312) 742-7785

ENTERTAINMENT

Theatres Viaduct Theatre 3111 N Western Ave - (773) 296-6024

SHOPPING

Antique Resources 1741 W Belmont Ave - (773) 871-4242

Father Time Antiques 2108 W Belmont Ave - (773) 880-5599
Good Old Days Antiques 2138 W Belmont Ave - (773) 472-8837

DINING

Bar 134 - 2345 W Belmont Ave - (773) 549-4444
Beat Kitchen 2100 W Belmont Ave - (773) 281-4444
Cody's Public House 1658 W Barry Ave - (773) 528-4050
Hungry Brain 2319 W Belmont Ave - (773) 935-2118
Starbucks 2159 West Belmont Ave - (773) 935-5680; 1700 Diversey Parkway - (773) 665-8650

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The residential real estate in West Lakeview is fairly diverse, providing homeowners with a number of housing options from condos to lofts to townhomes. But there is more to your West Lakeview home than where you rest your head at night. The area surrounding a property can be just as much a factor in the decision to buy as the color of the carpet or the condition of the foundation. Each Chicago neighborhood has its own unique charm that sets it apart from the rest. Our comprehensive online guide is all you need to explore the many streets of Chicagoall from the comfort of your own computer. Shopping, dining, entertainment, schools, you name it, we'll show you where it is. Find out whether that fabulous West Lakeview condo is immersed in the throes of wild nightlife, or veiled by the tranquility of a quiet residential setting. Like Metromix and the MLS merged into one, this site is your one-stop shop for Chicago neighborhood information.

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