Little Italy

Little Italy

Chicago, Illinois Homes for Sale

About Little Italy

Little Italy and University Village is a combination of two separate communities coming together as one. This growing neighborhood on Chicago's near southwest side is also densely populated with those who seek out a quiet, residential area in the shadow of Chicago's famous skyline. You'll find more action as you see students and faculty rushing to class or hanging out on campus near the University Village side, while the Little Italy section is much calmer and residential with locals socializing on the front steps of their homes.

Quick Facts

Current Prices: $199,900 to $865,000

Closed Prices: $140,000 to $1,620,000

Median Sale Price: $330,000

Average $ per sq ft: $296

Association Fee Ranges: $0 to $150, $0 to $919/mo

Type: Attached Home (Condo, Townhouse, Loft, etc.), Single-Family Home

Age: 1870 to 2019

Sq. Ft.: 500 to 6315 Sq. Ft.

Bedrooms: 0 to 6 Bedrooms

Bathrooms: 1 to 5 Bathrooms

Around Little Italy

Little Italy and University Village is a diverse and changing area with the union of these two distinct communities coming together. You'll see everything from condos, two-flats, greystone buildings, and new construction multi-unit homes to accommodate the growing population in University Village. If you want a quiet street then avoid Taylor and Maxwell streets, where most of the shops, restaurants, and bars are located. You'll see large single-family homes and townhomes in the more traditional neighborhood setting of Little Italy, which is farther away from the University Village campus.

You'll find some of the best Italian and Italian-American cuisine along Taylor Street. Italian cuisine takes center stage in this community, but if you want something else then visit Maxwell Street where you can get Mexican cuisine. For great street food, check out the stands on Union Street where you can sink your teeth in a famous original Chicago-style hot dog or a Maxwell Street polish. End the night with an Italian ice at Mario's Italian Lemonade. This small Italian ice shop has been a staple in the neighborhood since the 1950s and is only open from May to September.

You'll see students heading to campus in the University Village section, while a calmer, more neighborhood vibe is found on the Little Italy side of town. Farther away from the university campus, you will see more of the rich culture and history of Little Italy from its initial residents that settled into the community many years ago.

There are plenty of bars down Taylor Street from wine bars to sports bars. You can watch a sports game, play pool, or have a casual drink and appetizer with friends. Some bars offer live entertainment like DJs and piano players where you can listen to great music and dance the night away. If you're looking for a different kind of fun, check out the game center and bowling alley in the UIC campus that’s open to the public on Halsted Street where they have pocket billiards, bowling, and arcade games.

Grab brunch with friends or take a stroll to witness the beautiful statues and architecture of historic churches in the neighborhood like the Notre Dame De Chicago Church that has been around since the 1800s. Check out the Piazza DiMaggio, which has a fountain and two monuments commemorating Joe DiMaggio's baseball career. You can also view the nine-foot bronze Christopher Columbus statue that was completed in Rome, Italy and brought to the neighborhood's local park in Little Italy. Shop 'til you drop at the famous Maxwell Street Market where you can find a bargain among different merchants selling their clothes, movies, CDs, and much more.

Locals Love

  • Culture
  • Easy access to public transportation
  • Entertainment
  • Family-friendly environment
  • Shopping

Locals Don't Love

  • Crowds
  • Limited street parking
  • Traffic and noise

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