Known as the childhood home of Chance the Rapper, Chatham is unlike the dense neighborhoods that crowd closer to downtown Chicago. Instead of condo towers and townhomes, this South Side neighborhood is made up of mostly single-family houses.

Major streets like 83rd, 87th, and S. Martin Luther King Drive cut the neighborhood into a neat grid pattern with a latticework of quieter, residential streets. While the parks and schools of Chatham make it an attractive place for families, there are still enough spots to eat and spend an evening out to please the younger crowd.

The Homes

With a proliferation of single-family options, prospective homeowners don’t have to struggle to find options with a yard in this neighborhood. Expect to find plenty of historic architecture dating back to the 1880s. The neighborhood also has some newer construction dating back to 2010.

Like many neighborhoods with a greater distance from downtown, Chatham has more reasonable home prices. Buyers looking for a single-family home will be pleasantly surprised to see a median home sale price of $150,000 in the neighborhood, according to neighborhoods.com data. Homebuyers with an interest in smaller options will find some apartment buildings in Chatham.

View homes for sale in Chatham

Getting Around

Red Line CTA 87th stop
Red Line 87th / Photo by Graham Garfield / CC BY-SA

While Chatham feels far removed from the downtown center of the city, it doesn’t suffer from the lack of transportation options. If you have a car, the Dan Ryan Expressway cuts right through the neighborhood. With no traffic, you can reach the Loop in about 20 minutes.

Commuters relying on public transit can hop on the CTA Red Line at the 87th or 79th station. The neighborhood also has a number of CTA bus lines.

While the CTA stops and the Dan Ryan are on the western side of the neighborhood, a Metra line runs along the eastern edge of Chatham. Residents can get on the Metra Electric District line at the 87th Street/Woodruff, 83rd Street/Avalon Park, and 79th Street/Chatham stops.

Within the neighborhood, walking and biking are both viable options for residents.

Where to Eat in Chatham

Chatham may be a quieter community, but it still has a lively dining scene with a variety of options. Chicken and fish restaurants are a Chatham staple, with spots like Shrimps Fish & Chicken and Harold’s Chicken Shack (a celebrated Chicago chain).

The neighborhood also has Chinese food (See Thru Chinese Kitchen or New China Express) and Mexican food (Pepe’s Mexican). Chatham also has two Jamaican restaurants: Caribbean Cove and Tropic Island Jerk Chicken Restaurant.

Residents who have a sweet tooth love living near Dat Donut, a refreshing alternative to Dunkin’ Donuts. Open in the neighborhood since the 1990s, Dat Donut has a menu of classic doughnuts and breakfast sandwiches. You can also grab coffee and breakfast fare at Mather’s More Than a Café. Mather’s also serves as a community resource for people over the age of 50.

Family-Friendly Features

Chatham’s families have access to several schools, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, and a series of parks. Elementary schools include Dixon Elementary School, Westcott Elementary School, John T. Pirie Fine Arts and Academic Center, Neil Elementary School, Burnside Academy, and Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center.

Lenart Elementary has a rating of 10/10 on GreatSchools. The neighborhood also has Chatham Academy and Simeon Career Academy High School for high school students.

The Whitney M. Young Jr. Branch of the city’s public library system is located on the north edge of the neighborhood. The library regularly hosts events like STEM and art family nights; LEGO events; and open lab days for teens.

If families want to get outside, Chatham has several parks to explore. Lorraine L. Dixon Park has a playground and spots for picnicking. Nat King Cole Park has a playground, as well as sports fields, basketball courts, and a clubroom. This park runs a number of after-school programs for kids.

Brown Memorial Park has space to stretch your legs, a tennis court, and spots to play softball. Tuley Park, one of the biggest in the neighborhood, has a garden, an outdoor pool, a gymnasium, tennis courts, sports fields, and a gymnasium. West Chatham Park has a number of standard park amenities (tennis courts, basketball courts, and a clubroom), as well as seasonal sports and a day camp.

Nightlife

Nightlife is not the main attraction in Chatham, but it does have enough lively spots for weekend entertainment and date nights. Families, friends, and couples can catch the latest flicks at the Studio Movie Grill. The movie theater, of course, has a full concession stand, as well as a bar.

For drinks and conversation, head to Time Out Lounge on Vincennes Avenue. This neighborhood bar has food, drinks, and a DJ. Arteck Side Bar, City Life Restaurant & Lounge, and J&R’s Lounge are also good neighborhood spots to enjoy a drink in an easy-going neighborhood atmosphere.

Whether you are looking for a family-friendly neighborhood to settle or an affordable spot for single living, Chatham is an ideal spot to investigate. Try the restaurants, walk through the parks, and have a drink to help you decide if this is your Chicago neighborhood.