In Chicago Magazine’s 2017 “Where to Buy Now” feature, the magazine presents its real estate predictions for the Chicagoland area. They singled out the best of the city’s urban and suburban neighborhoods for retired couples looking to downsize, and while the Loop makes the most sense as a place to trade in a house in the ‘burbs for a condo in the city, the magazine points to other options as well.

Editor Note: This post has been updated to reflect the most accurate information.

Chicago Neighborhoods

Maybe you’ve always been in the city and you want to keep it that way, or maybe you want to trade the sprawl of the suburbs for the walkability and entertainment of an urban environment. Here are three Chicago neighborhoods that empty nesters will have no problem calling home. 

Hyde Park

Condo building in Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago
Condo building in Hyde Park neighborhood

Hyde Park has no shortage of condos for couples looking for a little less space. The median condo price in this South Side neighborhood is $175,000. Retired couples can live a few miles away from the rush of downtown, but still easily reach the Loop via the Metra or the CTA. 

The neighborhood also offers plenty to do without the noise and crowds of a big bar scene neighborhood like Logan Square or Wicker Park. Couples can take their grandchildren the Museum of Science and Industry and enjoy time outdoors at the sprawling Jackson Park. The neighborhood is also one of the city’s cultural hubs with Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, the University of Chicago, and the DuSable Museum of African American History. 

Lakeview

Two brick homes along tree-lined street in Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago
Quiet street and homes in Lakeview neighborhood

Lakeview is one of Chicago’s biggest neighborhoods encompassing a few separate, smaller communities. Retirees might want to skip the younger, stay-up-all-night crowds of Boystown and Wrigleyville for more sedated areas like Lakeview East, Lakeview West, or North Halsted. The median price of a condo in Lakeview Is $350,000, and there are plenty of places to find smaller, attached homes in this sprawling community.

Lakeview has access to plenty of public transportation options, plus it is just five miles from downtown. Empty Nesters can spend their days browsing the shops of Southport Corridor, relaxing by the nearby lake and eating out at the neighborhood’s myriad restaurants.

The Loop

Condo Building in chicago's Loop neighborhood
Condo Building in chicago's Loop

The Loop is one of the pricier options for retirees, but there is no shortage of condos here, particularly in the luxury market. The median sale price of a condo in the Loop is $349,500, but a condo in this neighborhood is almost guaranteed to come with a stunning view of the city’s skyline. 

The Loop is the heart of Chicago. Retirees can regularly see a show in the neighborhood’s Theatre District and eat out at some of the city’s best restaurants. If the dining scene in the Loop gets old, you can simply go across the river to check out the fine eateries in River North or take a short walk to Restaurant Row on Randolph Street in the West Loop. Plus, the Loop gives you access to multiple L lines, buses, and the Metra, which means you can easily get anywhere in the city, out to the suburbs, and to the airport. Trips to see your kids and grandkids will be a breeze. 

Chicago Suburbs

If you prefer the quiet and space of the suburbs to the rush and high density of the city, check out these three suburbs.

Evanston

Suburb home with green yard in Evanston, IL
Typical home in Evanston / Shutterstock

Evanston manages to feel more urban than sleepy suburb, probably due to its proximity to Chicago (approximately 12 miles from downtown). You’ll find plenty of available condos here at a median price of $223,250. While owning a car makes life easier in a lot of suburbs, walking is more than doable in Evanston. Walk Score gives the suburb a solid 75 thanks in part to good public transit, which makes it the third most walkable city in the state. 

If you have family that lives in Chicago or an urge to get some city time, you can easily catch the CTA Purple Line downtown. Plus, Evanston has its own thriving entertainment scene. Eat out, browse art galleries, and shop independently owned boutiques.

Glenview

aerial picture of green community with homes and pond in Glenview, IL
Aerial shot of neighborhood in Glenview, IL

Glenview is another northern suburb not far from Chicago. Chicago Magazine notes that this community has a “genteel suburban vibe,” which could be just what you’re looking for in your retirement years. The same feature notes the median condo price here is $258,000. 

This suburb may move at a slower pace, but there is still plenty to do. Glenview has several golf courses and a solid stable of different shopping centers. If you have grandkids to spoil, you take them to the Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago when they come to visit. 

Palatine

Aerial view of townhome community with green grass in between.
Townhomes in Palatine, IL

Chicago Magazine puts Palatine on its shortlist for empty nesters for its “revamped downtown, a forest preserve, a farmers market.” A little further out from the city, you’ll find a median condo price of $145,380. 

This suburb is a great place for retirees who want smaller homes, but more outdoor space to roam. Palatine is home to the Deer Grove Forest Preserve, which has 1,800 acres of land and miles of trails for walkers, runners, bikers, and cross-country skiers.