Real Estate: A welcoming place to call home
Rogers Park, a Chicago neighborhood of nearly 60,000 residents, is a diverse, urban and close-knit
community. Rated A by Niche.com, the neighborhood is
extremely walkable and bike friendly, and has numerous restaurants and shops, plus miles of public
beaches. Loyola Park boasts the Beach Poets, who meet every Sunday in the summer and six acres of native
dune habitat, with nesting shorebirds that captivate visitors in the Natural Area along Lake
Michigan.
“Rogers Park is as far east, and as far north as you can be and still be in Chicago,” said
Connie Abels, longtime neighborhood resident and managing broker at RE/MAX Premier and No. 1 Realtor in
Rogers Park for over 30 years. The neighborhood is also anchored between two major universities, Loyola
and Northwestern, in Evanston, she added.
With close access to the Red Line and Metra, many residents have an easy commute to work downtown. In
less than 30 minutes, they can get to the city via Lake Shore Drive, too, Abels noted.
“Rogers Park has almost as much diversity in their real estate as they do their ethnically
diverse people,” she said.
Various housing options include small “kiddie” condos utilized by some Loyola parents to
offset the cost of tuition, and Rogers Park offers great opportunities for first-time home buyers or
sprawling 2,000-square-foot condos for those looking for large spaces, said Abels. “There are
beautiful bungalows and American 4-square homes loaded with vintage and classic design.”
Additionally, renters find Rogers Park more affordable than many other neighborhoods, she noted.
Aside from the charming architecture and diverse housing options, buyers gravitate to Rogers Park for
its lively arts and music scene. Glenwood Avenue is known as the “arts district,” with the
Jeffrey Award-winning Lifeline Theater and many smaller theaters in Rogers Park.
Residents and visitors also enjoy the social scene, with fun bars and pubs, plus indoor and outdoor
music venues, several art shows and wine tastings.
“Art and music bring people together with outside patios at bars, pubs and restaurants; the
fantastic neighborhood festivals with live music; Artist of the Wall, Pride North and Glenwood Ave Arts
Fest,” Abels said.
With myriad entertainment and dining options, there is always something to do every night of the week.
“Where I live, you can walk to Jarvis Square and listen to live music,” said Mary
“Pia” Taylor Sticha of Look See Realty, who has lived in Rogers Park for over 15 years.
“Plus there are great patios for outdoor seating at restaurants.”
In addition to coffee shops, cafes and pizza joints, there are multiple ethnic eateries including those
serving Mexican, Ethiopian and Chinese cuisine, Abels noted, along with fun places to shop including
independent stores and boutiques in the neighborhood.
“These are all owner-operated businesses, who take pride in their contribution to the community
and form relationships with residents,” Abels said.
Those who crave the outdoors and beach access will also feel at home in the neighborhood. Miles of
neighborhood beachfront allow for swimming, running, leisurely walks or simply relaxing in the sand.
“There are 13 beaches along the lakefront with direct street access. There is no other community
in the city where you can drive right up to the beach,” Abels said.
While living in a lively neighborhood adds to quality of life, it’s the residents who truly make
Rogers Park feel like home. “This is a community that will come together if there is a
need,” Abels said.
Sticha agreed. “It’s so diverse and everyone is so interesting and unique. Everyone is
welcome in Rogers Park!”
