“West Town” is a bit of an enigma – it’s both a generic term to refer to a large swath of Chicago’s west side, and a smaller neighborhood unto itself. It’s diverse, quirky, and a hive of activity. Homes are an eclectic mix of vintage and modern, ranging from modest worker’s cottages to luxurious new-construction single-family homes.

“West Town” is a bit of an enigma – it’s both a generic term to refer to a large swath of Chicago’s west side, and a smaller neighborhood unto itself. It’s diverse, quirky, and a hive of activity. Homes are an eclectic mix of vintage and modern, ranging from modest worker’s cottages to luxurious new-construction single-family homes.

Wicker Park offers an eclectic mix of upscale and gritty, hip and trendy. A very active community, the homes in Wicker Park are dominated by three-flats, both vintage and modern. Schools include Pritzker Elementary, Jonathan Burr Elementary and Pulaski International.

Bucktown sprung to prominence in the 90s, when artists and musicians began moving in and single-family-home builders, priced out of Lincoln Park, began replacing original worker’s cottages with new-builds. Bucktown housing is now primarily single-family homes, with new builds and older cottages often side-by-side.

Smith Park occupies that rare space where hip and homey meet. A bit of a suburban feel without the long commute. Hot restaurants and shops have popped up on the commercial corridors of the neighborhood. Tree-lined streets showcase single-family homes that are both vintage and modern.

This is one of the value neighborhoods in greater West Town. Bordering Wicker Park and East Village, it offers its residents easy access to those neighborhoods’ amenities, while remaining somewhat lower-priced. There’s little demolition to make room for newer homes.

This neighborhood has seen explosive growth. Large new high-end rental properties have popped up, and many of the existing classic buildings have been renovated. For buyers who may feel priced out of Bucktown proper, West Bucktown can offer a lower-priced alternative.

This is one of the value neighborhoods in greater West Town. Bordering Wicker Park and East Village, it offers its residents easy access to those neighborhoods’ amenities, while remaining somewhat lower-priced. There’s little demolition to make room for newer homes.