River North

The Lowdown: River North

Rewind five or six years ago and River North was better known for tourist traps such as the Rainforest Cafe than its status as the home design Mecca of Chicago.   Today the cafe is still holding on, but River North has grown in popularity for its blocks of high-end furniture stores, art galleries and boutique condo buildings.

  River North has the kind of vibe you´d expect from a city neighborhood.   Lacking tree-lined streets or parks, it´s metropolitan city living.  Many River North residents work downtown and like the neighborhood for its easy access to Michigan Avenue (just a ten-minute walk east) and the Loop (just a ten-minute walk south).   It appeals to a wide range of city dwellers in different stages of life — from empty nesters to professionals in their thirties and forties.  River North is all about sophistication and style. Home to the Merchandise Mart (a building so ginormous it has its own zip code), design and style are everywhere.



Living in Luxury: River North Housing

In recent years, a number of mid-rise and high-rise buildings have gone up along with lofts and luxury apartments. While most of the nearby boutiques and galleries won´t fulfill your everyday household needs, they´re great for window-shopping or buying that special something you need to set your crib off right. Walk a few blocks east, and you´ll find urbanized grocery stores and several drug stores have recently opened.

  Single-family homes are hard (if not impossible) to come by in River North and if you do find one, you´re going to pay a lot.  Condos or apartments are the most plentiful housing options. Townhouses are available, but they are expensive and in short supply.