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Portage Park is a peaceful and spacious northwest side Chicago neighborhood with an active business district, a number of good schools and affordable property that is steadily growing in popularity and homebuyer interest. The Six Corners intersection is the area's main commercial hotspot, but the entire neighborhood is infused with a wealth of little shops and specialty stores. There is no better way to experience what Portage Park has to offer than to sample the vast roster of restaurants, bar & grills, pizzerias, bakeries and delis. And you don't want to discount the neighborhood's notable network of parkland, headed up by the spacious grounds and Olympic-size swimming pool of the community's coveted namesake Portage Park.
There are loads of single-family homes in Portage Park, a multitude of quaint brick bungalows—some with finished attics—are scattered throughout the neighborhood. Attractive one- and two-story frame houses with front yards and porches also represent a good portion of Portage Park real estate. In addition to the more typical Chicago housing, an architectural diversity exists here as home designs incorporate elements of Victorian, Georgian and English Tudor style—among others.
Attached housing options include beautifully landscaped vintage courtyard condominiums with charming touches such as exterior stone ornamentation and tiled roofs. While many older structures are rehabbed to maintain their original appeal, new condos, as well as newer model single- and multi-family homes are frequently found along the residential streets, providing a modern spin on Portage Park's traditional real estate style. There are even some contemporary townhomes with all the upscale amenities of downtown residences. Only here, unlike communities closer to Chicago's city center, residents find congestion is rare as the neighborhood lies a safe distance to the north and west of heavily trafficked areas and bustling intersections.
Portage Park derives its name from the early history of Irving Park Road, which currently runs through the center of this northwest Chicago neighborhood. Into the early 19th century, the strip of land was a portage that Native Americans used to carry their canoes from the Des Plaines River to the Chicago River. In 1816, a treaty was signed that gave the U.S. government control over the entire area between the Chicago River and the Mississippi River. Staking his claim on the new U.S. territory, a man named E.B. Sutherland built a tavern on North West Plank Road (now Milwaukee Avenue). This location also doubled as the town hall for what was known as Jefferson Township in the mid-1800s, a municipality independent of Chicago until 1889.
Throughout the years developers transformed this once marshy landscape into habitable terrain, spurring an increase in residents and settlement. In 1913, the beautiful 36.5-acre park that bears the neighborhood's name was established. Roads were improved and drainage issues, which previously led to frequent flooding, were corrected by the 1950s. Around 1960, the Kennedy Expressway was extended to reach residents of Portage Park, giving them a quick route to downtown.
After some population fluctuation, this large Chicago neighborhood is again on the rise. A strong Polish community resides in the area, and its affordable and spacious housing is attracting many new families as well as a slew of young working singles and couples. The intersection of Irving Park Road, Cicero and Milwaukee avenues (at Portage Park's western edge) is known as 'Six Corners' and offers a rich commercial district. Plus, who can forget the neighborhood's huge namesake park that is always alive with activity and natural beauty.
As Chicago neighborhood experts, Dream Town has successfully sold properties in Portage Park. Dream Town holds a well-earned reputation for its impressive sales volume and dedication to personal, attentive service. Benefit from the Dream Town advantage when selling your Portage Park home. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, Dream Town drives more sales than any other Chicago brokerage.
School data provided by GreatSchools.School service boundaries are intended to be used as reference only. To verify enrollment eligibility for a property, contact the school directly. GreatSchools Ratings provided by GreatSchools.org.
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