Month: August 2022

The Complete Guide to Navigating Your Daily Chicago Commute

Posted on by LLCR Staff

They say location is everything when it comes to your home or condo search. In a large city like Chicago, this is both true and untrue: while the neighborhood or suburb you live in will certainly influence many aspects of life, Chicago’s expansive transportation systems make getting around the city easier than you’d think.

Navigating Your Chicago Commute

If you lived at 418 Church Street in Evanston, for example, your commute to the city could be via car, regional Metra train or local ‘L’ train. Perhaps city proper is more appealing and you opted for 104 W Oak Street in the Gold Coast neighborhood; in that case, you’d be able to walk to the Loop business district in about 30 minutes or take a bus.

No matter where you live in Chicagoland, your choices for transit – both for work and for play – make a surprisingly big difference in your everyday life. Read on for a complete overview on commuting in the city depending on your preferred method of transportation.

The Chicago Grid System

One of the best parts of Chicago is the grid system on which it was built: with few exceptions, the city streets run either north/south or east/west, making the city easily traversable on foot. Additionally, the lakefront path stretches almost the entire length of the city, making it an easy and beautiful option for going from north to south.

As you consider where to buy in the city, one of the biggest considerations in terms of location is walkability: having transit, grocery stores, and other essentials within walking distance is a huge plus.

Driving & Chicago Rush Hour Commute Times

If you plan to drive around the city, one of the most important considerations is parking. Some condos come with parking spots while others do not – and due to the density of population, parking can be hard to come by without a dedicated spot. 

Additionally, as you navigate your commute options, consider the difference that rush hour makes in drive times. It takes around 20 minutes to drive from 1440 N Wood Street in Wicker Park to the Loop without traffic – but it might take up to 40 minutes with traffic between 7-9am and 4-7pm.

Rideshare Options

Whether you have a car or not, relying on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft is a great option if you need flexibility. While these commute options are a great way to get around without relying on public transportation, keep in mind that surge rates still apply during rush hour times – making them a pretty expensive option.

If Uber and Lyft are too expensive or unavailable, taxi cabs are often a cheaper alternative. You can use the Curb app to schedule a taxi ride, or hail one of the many cabs running through the city.

Public Transportation

The ubiquitous presence of buses and ‘L’ trains in Chicago speaks to the popularity of the city’s public transportation system. According to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), over one million city residents take trains and buses each day – perhaps because these options are so prevalent and cost-effective. Oftentimes, due to rush hour traffic, public transit can be faster than driving.

When planning your commute via transit, consider tools like the Citymapper and Ventra apps, which provide bus and train times, as well as recommendations for the most efficient commute routes.

If you’re commuting from the suburbs to the city, Metra regional trains are probably your fastest option. As opposed to the continuous service of ‘L’ trains, Metra trains are set on a schedule, making planning your commute as simple as checking the train times.

Biking

Boasting miles of bike lanes, Chicago is a bike-friendly city. This non-traditional option has two main advantages: efficiency and exercise. Not only are bikes immune to car traffic, but this option also allows for quality time outdoors to prepare for and decompress from the workday.

If you’re considering this mode of transportation, safety needs to be top-of-mind. In addition to wearing a helmet, plan to wear bright clothing and add lights to your bike for extra visibility. 

Depending on the trip, shared Divvy bikes are a cheap option that allows you to take the scenic route – this is a great way to mix up your commute while seeing different parts of the city, like the lakefront path.

No matter how you get around Chicago, it’s likely that you’ll take advantage of many of the transportation options the city has available. As you consider buying a home or condo in Chicagoland, our LLCR agents are here to guide you through the process of finding the right space in the perfect location for you. Click the button below to learn more about the homebuying process!

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Warm Up in These Chicago Restaurants with Fireplaces this Fall

Posted on by LLCR Staff

Something about cozying up next to a fireplace in the middle of winter, especially during a Chicago winter, makes the cold more bearable.

Whether you’re spending a chill night out or bundling up at home, fireplaces are great for keeping warm and creating a comfortable ambiance.

So, how can you ensure you spend time around the fire this winter? For starters, be sure to check out some of our favorite restaurants and bars with fireplaces.

Restaurants with Fireplaces Perfect for Fall in Chicago

  • Red Lion Pub– Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, this British-inspired pub makes a great spot during the cold months. Along with three roaring fireplaces, this neighborhood bar boasts a dark oak planked bar, Tudor beams, and bookshelves lined with books about British history and literature. Every detail of the pub will be sure to warm you up.
  • The Moonlighter– Tucked away in Logan Square, this laidback beer and burger bar offers a cheerful atmosphere, complete with fireplaces inside and outside.
  • Cabra– If you’re looking for a relaxed rooftop bar to enjoy even when the temps cool down, check out this Peruvian West Loop restaurant. You can take advantage of the heat from the outdoor fireplace while soaking up the city skyline views.
  • Beermiscous– When outdoor activities are limited, spend an evening at this snug Lakeview joint. Choose from the many brews and the many board games available before you make yourself at home by the fireplace.

Along with enjoying other establishments’ fireplaces, why not enjoy the perks of a fireplace without stepping outside? Check out these Chicago condo buildings that feature fireplaces.

Chicago Condo Buildings with Fireplace Amenities

  • One Bennet Park– 451 E Grand- This new Streeterville construction offers unprecedented luxury city living. Along with sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline, the building provides premier amenities, including a fireplace in the lounge. This hangout area also provides city sights and access to the grand terrace.
  • One Chicago– 1 W Chicago Ave- While still under construction, these soon-to-be premier condos will bring a new level of luxury to River North. Along with amenities like a heated rooftop dog park, golf simulator, and residents-only dining room and bar, this building also offers outdoor fireplaces as part of the rooftop lounge.
  • Cirrus– 211 N Harbor Drive- Located in one of Chicago’s hidden neighborhood gems, these Lakeshore East condos also offer all the benefits of brand-new construction. Residents can cool down by the lavish pool or warm up next to firepits on the private rooftop terrace.

Interested in the Chicago condos for sale with fireplaces? Connect with one of our experienced brokers for a showing today! Our team would love to help you find your dream home, complete with unbeatable amenities.

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What Is the Commute from Evanston to Downtown Chicago Like?

Posted on by LLCR Staff

There are a few reasons to opt for living in the suburbs instead of city proper: perhaps you’re starting a family and want more space, or maybe you’re hoping for a change of scenery. Or, depending on your tolerance for traffic, you might be hoping to escape the rush hour madness of the city. 

Enter Evanston: the first suburb to the north of city limits and home to Northwestern University, it’s an idyllic town of 77,000 that attracts people looking for a mix of urban and suburban life. According to Livability, Evanston was ranked in the top 30 places to live in America because of its proximity to the lake and bustling social scene. 

The Average Commute from Evanston to Downtown Chicago

If you’re convinced that suburban life is for you, read on to learn more about what your commute from Evanston to downtown Chicago would look like.

Driving

Living outside the city might necessitate buying a car – and if you have a car, you’ll be fortunate enough to experience a beautiful commute down Lake Shore Dr., which connects Evanston to the city directly. Depending on where you live in town and where you’re heading to in Chicago, you can expect your commute via car to be anywhere from 30 – 45 minutes – but you can at least count on some beautiful skyline views along the way.

Metra

As a suburb, Evanston enjoys the luxury of Metra: the regional trains that service the towns surrounding the city. If you opt for this option, you’ll be able to read, meditate or send emails on your way to work. This mode of transportation takes about 30 minutes and drops you off at Chicago Ogilvie Transportation Center in the heart of the Loop.

Purple Line ‘L’ Train

Only a few locations outside of Chicago proper have their own ‘L’ stop, and Evanston is one of them. The purple line (perhaps named for Northwestern’s colors?) services the area, and connects Evanston straight to the loop. Arriving every 5-7 minutes depending on the time of day, this train ride lasts about 40 minutes and is a great option for commuters looking to connect to different areas of Chicago outside the Loop.

No matter your needs and destination, our LLCR team can help you find the perfect condo in the right location for you. Reach out to us today to begin your search!

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Navigating Chicago: Understand the Chicago Grid System

Posted on by LLCR Staff

Are you planning on moving to the Windy City for the first time or need to understand the lay of the land better? If so, grasping the Chicago grid system will help you navigate the city and figure out your commute.

That’s why we’re sharing what you should know about this grid system- including the basics of how it works and even how it came to be.

The Chicago Grid System

As its name implies, the Chicago Grid System systematically maps out all of Chicago’s streets on a grid. This includes the residential and commercial streets, secondary arterials, grand boulevards, expressways, gangways and alleys.

Relatively speaking, Chicago is known for having a fantastic grid system, which is well laid out and fairly easy to understand. While the street system has evolved, its roots go back nearly two centuries.

Interestingly enough, the Chicago grid system is older than the city itself, dating back to 1830 and designed by James Thompson, a surveyor from Kaskaskia. Any building that existed in the area before 1830 had to be moved onto the grid. Although the grid grew as the city of Chicago was established, Thompson’s original grid became the template for a network that would eventually cover the 234 square miles of Chicago—and extend into suburbs beyond its borders.

While there is a lot to Chicago’s grid system, we’re starting by keeping it simple. 

To this day, the intersection of State and Madison Streets, located in the Loop, marks the heart of Chicago and the epicenter of its grid system.

Since Chicago is oriented along the cardinal directions, most streets run north/south or east/west. The prefix of an address indicates which direction it is in relation to State and Madison Street. If you’re headed somewhere on North Lincoln, you know that location is North of State and Madison Street. Likewise, if you find yourself somewhere along South Clark Street, you know that you are south of those cross streets.

Additionally, Chicago street numbering increases or decreases depending on the distance in miles from the State and Madison axis lines. While odd street numbers are on the south and east sides of streets, even street numbers are on the north and west sides.

As you study the Chicago grid system, it is also helpful to know that there are usually eight blocks to each mile. This means there are 800 addresses for each mile of the streetscape. So, if you’re downtown at 330 N Dearborn to 1530 N Dearborn, you start by subtracting 330 from 1530 to get 1,200. Then you divide 1,200 to get 1.5. This tells you your commute is roughly a mile and a half.

The Chicago neighborhoods and grid system may appear complex, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Once you understand the basics, hopefully, you’ll find it easier to navigate this large city. 

If you find yourself getting ready to move to Chicago, the Luxury Living Chicago Realty team can help you find the perfect condo in the right location for your commute.

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The 3 Best Chicago Suburbs for Commuters

Posted on by LLCR Staff

If you’re planning a move to Chicago but aren’t quite sure about city living, Chicagoland’s many suburbs could be a fantastic option for you. Offering more space, great schools and cost-effective living options, the city’s many surrounding towns are highly sought-after for their many benefits.

One trade-off of living in the suburbs, however, is the longer commute times to get downtown. For the most part, there are two ways to get from the suburbs to the Loop in the heart of the business district: driving and regional Metra trains (not to be confused with ‘L’ trains, which are mostly local to the city).

3 Best Chicago Suburbs for Commuters

Depending on your work-from-home situation, your commute may factor into your decision on which suburb or area to live in. Read on for an overview of Chicago suburbs that have easy commute options.

Southern Suburbs

Homewood, located just a few miles south of Chicago proper, is situated on the Metra Electric line that runs between southern neighborhoods and the Millennium Park station in the middle of the city. Most train rides from this quaint town are about 40 minutes, and the car ride is 30-45 minutes depending on your final destination.

Western Suburbs

Oak Park, the first suburb due west of the city, is uniquely advantageous for commuters because it has its own ‘L’ stop in addition to a Metra line. For this reason, commute times are pretty quick: you can expect an ‘L’ ride of about 30 minutes to the city center, and a Metra ride to the Chicago OTC station that’s about 15 minutes. Driving takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Northern Suburbs

Glenview, a larger suburb with a population of 47,000, is 15 miles northwest of Chicago with close proximity to the lake. Along the Milwaukee District North line that services many northern towns, Metra rides from Glenview are about 40 minutes – the same amount of time as the drive.

No matter which suburb you hope to call home, the dedicated LLCR team can help you find the right home for your needs and commute.

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What Does Chicago OTC Stand For? Find Out More About Commuting in Chicago

Posted on by LLCR Staff

If you’re moving from a city without public transportation, Chicago is a welcome change from the norm: our public transportation system is consistently ranked top ten in the nation, and it boasts a service population of over 3.5 million people. Whereas public transportation can be hit-or-miss in other places, it’s a regular part of life for most Chicagoans – especially those who commute, as traveling by train is often faster than driving.

Referred to as ‘the great equalizer,’ public transportation serves to connect Chicago’s neighborhoods, as well as its many suburbs. Most of the system is under the umbrella of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which was created in 1947 (though rail car service began as early as 1882!).

Read on for more info about transportation in Chicago, as well as tips for commuting.

What are my options for commuting in Chicago?

Beyond a car, public transit offers many options for getting from A to B – though these options vary depending on where you live.

  • Bus: City buses exist on 129 routes across 1,536 miles. Generally, buses run on loops that cover one street from north to south or east to west, though there are also routes that accommodate high-demand destinations, like the Loop or Soldier Field.
  • ‘L’ Train: named for its elevated tracks, you’ll find (and hear!) the ‘L’ through many neighborhoods in the city, as well as the Loop. The ‘L’ is a fantastic way to commute because it’s immune to car traffic.
  • Metra trains: Metra trains are commuter trains outside of CTA’s purview that connect the suburbs and outer neighborhoods to the city center. These trains feed into the Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) hubs, and often have express options for weekdays.
  • Pace buses: Similarly to Metra trains, Pace buses are independent of CTA and service suburban areas.

4 tips for commuting in Chicago

Since public transit is ubiquitous in the city, it’s easy to learn and use the system (especially for routes that you take often). For first-time riders, we recommend a few tips:

  1. Download the Ventra app, where you can purchase ride passes and look up transit times.
  2. Download the City Mapper app, which compares public transit routes with options like Uber to ensure you’re getting to your destination as efficiently as possible. This is especially important during rush hour!
  3. Check with your employer about transit benefits: most companies offer pre-tax options for purchasing CTA or Metra passes to ensure you’re keeping costs as low as possible.
  4. Find a great book or podcast! Depending on the length of your commute, not having to drive opens up the possibility of easing into your workday with something you enjoy.

If you’re getting ready to move to Chicago, the LLCR team can help you optimize your commute – and, most importantly – find the condo that fits your transportation needs. Connect with us today to get started!

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Where to Live If You Work in Downtown Chicago

Posted on by LLCR Staff

Whether you’re relocating or deciding you want to cut down your commute, we’re here to discuss where to live if you work in downtown Chicago. Many Chicago companies have headquarters at or near downtown, so it may make sense for you to live close by.

Where to Work if You Live in Downtown Chicago

Residing close to work cuts down work travel, providing extra time, money, and peace of mind. So let’s look at some neighborhoods close to downtown:

The Loop

The Loop is located in the heart of downtown and is known as Chicago’s business district. It also got its name after the “L” train tracks that encircle the area.

If you work in downtown Chicago, chances are your business is in or near the Loop, making it a convenient area to live. 

The Loop has a very urban feel and places residents close to many iconic Chicago attractions, like Millennium Park and Willis Tower. The neighborhood is also home to brand new Chicago condos, including Parkline, located at 60 E Randolph Street.

West Loop

As its name implies, this hip neighborhood sits west of the Loop, making it extremely easy to get downtown. Not only that, but this area has become a popular destination for millennials and businesses alike. Many large companies, like McDonalds and tech companies, such as FourKites and TransUnion, have been migrating to this Chicago neighborhood over the last few years- and it’s not surprising.

Once an industrial meat-packing district, this trendy area has converted old buildings into cool residential lofts and working spaces and added some of the city’s trendiest bars and restaurants. West Loop has also welcomed plenty of brand-new high-rise condos and apartments. 1400 W Monroe is one of those buildings worth checking out!

River North

You’ll never run out of things to do living in River North, and you’ll cut down your work commute living here. The neighborhood offers the ultimate convenience, boasting top-notch restaurants, bars, and businesses. It’s even home to the largest concentration of art galleries in the United States, after Manhattan. 

River North sits west of Streeterville, bordering the Loop and Chicago River. Many young professionals reside in the area to embrace all the neighborhood offers. If you’re interested in River North condos, here are a few premier properties to look into:

While these three neighborhoods can certainly cut down commute times within the city, keep in mind that many other neighborhoods around downtown offer unique perks and personalities. It’s also worth noting that downtown Chicago’s public transit makes getting around the city extremely easy, regardless of which downtown neighborhood you pick! Plus, you’ll find that the Windy City is extremely walkable as well.

If you were wondering where to live if you work downtown, we hope we’ve helped point you in the right direction. For more questions or to begin the hunt for your dream home, connect with one of our licensed brokers today.

Interested in learning more about Chicago’s neighborhoods? Click the link below!

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