Albany Park Living

Albany Park is a residential and commercial neighborhood on the Northwest Side of Chicago, and one of the most diverse and multicultural neighborhoods in Chicago. It is located 8 miles northwest of the Loop. Its boundaries are the North Branch of Chicago River to the east, Foster Avenue to the north, Pulaski to the west and Montrose Avenue to the south.

Bordering Neighborhoods: Irving Park, Ravenswood, Ravenswood Manor, North Mayfair and Mayfair.

You will find many unique and ethnic grocery stores, restaurants and shopping in Albany Park. Residents come from all different backgrounds and heritages including Korean, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Yugoslavian to form one of the liveliest neighborhoods.

The neighborhoods within the community are:

Albany Park: Bryn Mawr (5600 N), Irving Park (4000 N), north branch of the river (about 3000 W), and Pulaski (4000 W).

Ravenswood Manor: Lawrence (4800 N), Montrose (4400 N), north branch of the river (about 2600 W), and Sacramento (3000 W).

Mayfair: Lawrence (4800 N), Montrose (4400 N), Pulaski (4000 W), and Cicero (4800 W).

Things to Do and Nearby Attractions

In August, Albany Park holds its annual summer fest. You will find several parks in the area: Eugene Field Park, Ronan Park and Jensen Park. The Irish American Heritage Center is also nearby. The Albany Park Theater Project is a multicultural group of teenagers who create original theater based on real life stories from the area's immigrant population. Albany Park Theatre Project is located at the Eugene Field Cultural Center.

Restaurants

You will find a mix of restaurants from Mexican at Chuy’s Chicken on Lawrence Avenue, to Middle Eastern restaurants like Noon-O-Kabab on Kedzie Avenue and Lebanese food at Semiramis also on Kedzie Avenue. Albany Park once was called by a nickname "Koreatown," because of the many Korean and Asian immigrants that live in the area. You will find Korean and Asian cuisine at Chicago Kalbi Restaurant on West Lawrence Avenue. For shopping buffs, you can find some interesting treasures while shopping in Albany Park's shopping district.

Albany Park is known more for its grocery items than shopping. You will find seasonal produce and fresh meats on Kedzie Avenue at Al-Khyam Grocery and Meat. Middle Eastern spices at Holyland Bakery & Grocery. Don’t forget the Korean Arirang Supermarket on Lawrence Avenue. For inexpensive meats, cheeses and Mexican groceries try Andy's Fruit Ranch on Kedzie Avenue.

Getting Around

The main transportation hub is centered at Lawrence and Kimball Avenues, at the elevated "L" train route, the Brown Line. Stops in Albany Park include Kimball, Kedzie and Francisco all serving the southeast corner of the neighborhood. To get downtown, the Brown Line will take you to the Chicago Loop in about 30 to 35 minutes. There is also bus transportation. If you are planning on driving to downtown Chicago, the I-90/94 is less than a mile west. There is also easy access out to Chicago suburbs. Bike trails are along the Chicago River.

Schools in Albany Park

The prestigious Von Steuben Metropolitan High School Science Center, which attracts students from the entire Chicago area is located in Albany Park.

Real Estate

If you are looking to make an investment in Chicago real estate, Chicago Realtors will suggest affordable Albany Park. Albany Park real estate varies from brick multi-unit courtyard buildings near the Kimball and Lawrence "El" to elegant two- and three-flats on the outskirts of the neighborhood. You will also find charming vintage brick bungalows on the western streets of the neighborhood. Albany Park real estate has experienced significant property value increases in the last 20 years, but it is still one of the most affordable Chicago neighborhoods.

According to Trulia.com, the average home sale price for Albany Park real estate for June – August 2008 was $313,172. The median home sale price for June –August was $268,500. The average home sale price for the week ending September 10, 2008 was $318,912. The average median home sale price for the week ending September 10, 2008 was $311,449.