Welcome to Albany Park | Chicago Guide to Albany Park Real Estate
A multitude of ethnic groups and cultures converge in this northwest side neighborhood, which is most representative in its dining scene. Seemingly eclectic at first glance, the combination of different traditions, cuisines, languages and cultural expressions makes living in Albany Park like exploring the various corners of the globe. Learn more about residential life in Albany Park with this local real estate guide.
Buy or Sell a Home in Albany Park.
Call 630-308-4562 Today!
Read my client reviews on Zillow.
Living in Albany Park
DIVERSE ETHNIC GROUPS • HISTORIC BUNGALOW DISTRICT • ACCESSIBILITY • RICH DINING SCENE
Situated off the north branch of the Chicago River and just east of the Kennedy/Edens Expressway, which runs northwest past the neighborhood area, Albany Park is perhaps one of the most diverse Chicago neighborhoods. Composed of four community areas, including North Mayfair, Albany Park, Kimball and Ravenswood Manor, the neighborhood has long served as a settlement place for immigrant families and workers. Since its early days, when the area formed part of Jefferson Township before it was annexed to Chicago, the first settlers to the area were German and Swedish farmers.
The area that now forms the Albany Park neighborhood became increasingly attractive as new railway development expanded through its boundaries. Housing development and population began to rise, and groups of immigrants from Jews, Koreans, Indians, Southeast Asians, Middle Easterners, Filipinos, Eastern Europeans, Mexican and Central Americans, to list a few, moved into the area and started their lives and businesses in Albany Park. The combination of cultures
present in Albany Park it makes for a varied and rich dining and local shopping experience.
The North Mayfair community, which sits at the western end of the neighborhood along the LaBagh Woods, is also among Chicago's historic bungalow districts. Bungalows and brick apartment buildings are the predemonite housing types in the Albany Park neighborhood. While the area is more dense than other parts of the city, housing is affordable and the conveniences of transportation and local businesses have drawn many residents to this Chicago neighborhood over the years.
Where is Albany Park?
Spanning four community areas beginning on the eastern end at the North Branch of the Chicago River expanding west to Elston Ave, south of Lawrence Ave, and then N Cicero Ave north of Lawrence Ave until Foster Ave. Foster Ave and the LaBagh Woods form the northern boundary of Albany Park, and its southern border is Montrose Ave.
The Albany Park neighborhood makes up part of the 60618, 60625 and 60630 zip codes and constitutes parts of the 33rd, the 35th and the 39th wards.
Albany Park Transportation
Commuters need not fret as Albany Park is well serviced by the CTA Blue (Montrose Ave station) and Brown line (Kimball Ave, Kedzie Ave and Francisco Ave stations) trains, as well as the following bus routes: #92 Foster, #81 West Lawrence, #78 Montrose, #53 Pulaski, #54 Cicero, #54A North Cicero/Skokie Blvd, and #82 Kimball-Homan.
The Albany Park neighborhood is also conveniently located just off of the I-94 Edens expressway which easily connects the area with the northwestern suburbs and downtown Chicago.
Albany Park Real Estate Market Snapshot
CONDO BUILDINGS • INVESTMENT PROPERTIES • NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES• NEWLY UPDATED SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
The housing market in Albany Park is a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom condos for sale, along with newly three-, four- and five-bedroom updated houses and rehab ready homes. Condos in large, multi-unit brick buildings make up a large part of Albany Park’s real estate inventory. Of the single-family homes available, a majority are high-end, luxurious newly updated and new construction homes. They feature hardwood floors throughout (or in the main common areas), modern finishes, large, sunny kitchens with stainless steel appliances, and plenty of windows.
Some of the bungalows and classic four square houses that are more than a century old have been updated while keeping some of the original characteristics of the house. Others are priced to sell as investment properties and can be an ideal option for someone looking to transform an Albany Park house into their dream home.
Albany Park Realtor
Get insight and market trend information from an Albany Park real estate expert:
Mark Quesada, Albany Park Realtor
630-308-4562 | mark@homehunterschicago.com
Team up with a trusted real estate agent who is committed to helping you achieve your desired home buying or home selling goals.
Let me be your #1 choice for your Albany Park real estate needs.
Read my client reviews on Zillow.
Live Like a Local in Chicago’s Albany Park Neighborhood
Schedule a condo viewing with a Albany Park real estate agent and then explore the neighborhood on your own. Here’s a quick self-guided tour of Albany Park.
Enjoy a creative breakfast and some sweet crepes at Dulce de Leche Cafe (3441 W Lawrence Ave) 4872 N Milwaukee Ave). Afterward, visit the Multicultural Sculpture and Healing Garden ulin Ronan Park (3000 W. Argyle St.), added in 2011 to celebrate the neighborhood’s multicultural population.
Or if you’re up for a bike ride, follow the North Branch Trail through Gomper’s Park, a 39-acre park on the north side of Albany Park that features an outdoor pool, a picnic grove, playground and combination football/soccer field in the midst of sweeping greenery. For lunch, get your fill of some flavorful Persian dishes at Noon O Kabab (4701 N Kedzie Ave). Pop in for some afternoon baked treats at Nazareth Sweets (4938 N Elston Ave). Be sure to try the baklava. Continue your global dine around at Ssyal - Chicago Korean Restaurant (4201 W Lawrence Ave), a highly praised authentic Korean restaurant having celebrated 30 years in the neighborhood in 2019.
Albany Park Dining
One of the best experiences of the Albany Park neighborhood is exploring its myriad flavors and cuisines thanks to its diverse dining scene. There are so many places showcasing global dishes and traditions all within the borders of this northwest neighborhood. Add these to your dine-around checklist:
-
Nighthawk Chicago (4744 N Kimball Ave) - this local tavern, which borrows its name from the Edward Hopper painting, transforms from a coffee bar by day to a cocktail bar by night.
-
Ixcateco Grill (3402 W Montrose Ave) - guacamole, enchiladas, pollo en mole negro and carne asada, are just some of the items that keep diners coming back to this local Mexican restaurant.
-
Tre-Kronor (3258 W Foster Ave) traditional Scandinavian dishes and baked goods are what you’ll find here, including its popular Semlor buns and daily quiches.
-
Chicago Kalbi (3752 W Lawrence Ave) the intoxicating smell of charcoal and fire from the grill will stay with you after you’ve enjoyed some fine cuts of meat at this Japanese BBQ restaurant.
-
Merla’s Kitchen (5207 N Kimball Ave) - known for its empanadas, adobo chicken and siopaos, this family-owned Filipino restaurant is a neighborhood favorite.
-
LD Pho (4722 N Kedzie Ave) - serving up a number of authentic Vietnamese foods, most notably Pho, this may easily become one of your go-to neighborhood spots.
-
Ay Ay Picante (4569 N Elston Ave) - enjoy Andean inspired dishes, particularly Peruvian seafood dishes, and don’t forget to bring your drink of choice as this spot is BYOB.
-
Shibam Yemeni Kitchen (4807 N Elston Ave) - explore Yemeni specialties including Mandi lamb and chicken and bring your friends, as some platters are meant for sharing.
Albany Park Neighborhood Amenities
Albany Park residents do not lack for good food and a variety of ingredients, thanks in large part to the various ethnic groups that make up the fabric of the neighborhood. As such, grocery stores and food markets are easy to come by. While larger grocers like ALDI (5001 N Pulaski Rd) have a presence in the neighborhood, many of the other stores and supermarkets are smaller mom-and-pop-like shops or specialized grocers. Among the food store options are places like, City Food (5033 N Elston Ave), Sahar International Supermarket (4851 N Kedzie Ave #57), Seafood City Supermarket (5033 N Elston Ave), The Fishguy Market & Wellfleet (4423 N Elston Ave) and Indo Pak Meat & Grocery LLC (3922 W Lawrence Ave).
Currently under development is the Edens Collection Shopping Center (4635 W Foster), which aims to include retailers like Target, Ross Dress for Less and Starbucks among its first tenants when completed.
When it comes to schooling, parents have the option of the following primary public schools that offer classes for grades PreK-12: North River Elementary School (4416 N Troy St), John M Palmer Elementary School (5051 N Kenneth Ave), Hibbard Elementary School (3244 W Ainslie St), and Volta Elementary School (4950 N Avers Ave). Middle school aged students in 7th and 8th grade may want to consider Albany Park Multicultural Academy (4929 N Sawyer Ave), which devotes its focus and resources to preparing students for high school, college and beyond.
If it’s time to look at high schools, both Theodore Roosevelt High School (3436 W Wilson Ave) and Frederick Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center (5039 N Kimball Ave) are available institutions for residents of Albany Park. Be sure to look into admission procedures for each school as they differ.
And when you’re in the mood to retreat for a while from the busyness and bustle of Albany Park, make plans to take advantage of the LaBagh Woods and Gomper’s Park (4222 W Foster Ave) on the north end of the neighborhood, or Eugene Field Park (5100 N Ridgeway Ave), Ronan Park (3000 W Argyle St) and River Park (5100 N Francisco Ave) which all have riverside views, paths and recreational spaces.
Albany Park Real Estate Consultant
Ready to schedule a condo or home tour in the Albany Park neighborhood? I’m here to help.
Mark Quesada, Albany Park Realtor
630-308-4562 | mark@homehunterschicago.com
Are you drawn to the Albany Park neighborhood and looking to explore its real estate market further? Partner with a knowledgeable and trusted Albany Park realtor who can guide you through the available properties in the area and ensure you have the best possible home buying experience. Leaning on the expertise of an Albany Park real estate agent will take some of the guesswork out of the home buying process as you navigate the real estate market and pair that with your future home wish list. It’s just as important to have someone in your corner to assist you in selling your home in Albany Park. A real estate agent familiar with the Albany Park neighborhood will not only find you interested buyers, but will also bring in the best possible offers for your home. Give me a call today and let’s talk about starting your home buying or home selling process in the Albany Park neighborhood.
Read my client reviews on Zillow.