Welcome to Portage Park | Chicago Guide to Portage Park Real Estate
Get your outdoor fix in a beautifully lush park that spans 36 acres and is among those listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spend your Sundays at the park shopping for local produce and goods during the Portage Park Farmers Market. Explore the culture and history of Polish Americans who account for a sizable population of the neighborhood’s residents and who have influenced community life in the area for decades. Take a trip to the Six Corners business and retail district for a grocery run or some essential shopping. Get acquainted with the Portage Park neighborhood with this local real estate guide.
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Living in Portage Park
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD • POLISH INFLUENCES • EXPANSIVE PARK • HISTORIC THEATRE VENUES
Polish culture and businesses accentuate community life in Portage Park. Polish immigrants were among some of the first groups of people to settle into the area now known as Portage Park. Like other neighboring community areas, the Portage Park neighborhood gets its name from the expansive park that forms a central hub of the area. The park once served as the site for the 1959 Pan-American Games and in 1972 its Olympic-size swimming pool was used for the Olympic Games swimming trials. The Portage Park neighborhood is also home to Chopin Park, given its name in honor of famous Polish pianist and composer, Frédéric Chopin.
A few of the neighborhood’s iconic venues are steeped in history and continue to attract visitors and events. The Patio Theater is a local cinema built in 1927 with an “atmospheric” auditorium and Neoclassical design elements. Just a short distance away is the Portage Theater, another cinema of the 1920s, which was restored in 2006 and serves as a venue for independent file viewings and music performances.
Portage Park is also home to the National Veterans Art Museum, which showcases artwork created by veterans. The museum’s more than 2500 art pieces each explore the impact of conflict by those who have lived through it.
The Chicago bungalow style home comprises the majority of house styles in the Portage Park neighborhood, but some newer construction projects have introduced more modern condo and apartment buildings so that couples and singles who may not require lots of space can still find a suitable housing option in Portage Park.
Where is Portage Park?
The Portage Park community makes up the portion of the northwest side of Chicago that begins north of Belmont Ave and west of N Kenton Ave, spanning as far north as Lawrence Ave and as far west as N Austin Ave, south of Irving Park Rd, and Narranganset Ave, north of Irving Park Rd. Portage Park sits just west of the Kennedy Expressway, just off of the Montrose and
Lawrence exits.
The neighborhood area is made of the 60634 and 60630 zip codes, and is part of Chicago’s 45th Ward.
Portage Park Transportation
Portage Park residents and visitors can easily access the neighborhood by public transit. The area is serviced by the CTA Blue Line, Montrose station, and by the following bus routes, #77 Belmont, #54 Cicero, #54A North Cicero/Skokie Blvd, #56 N Milwaukee, #81 West Lawrence, #78 Montrose, #91 Austin, #85 Central and #85A North Central.
The Metra commuter rail is also available for Portage Park residents at the Grayland and Mayfair stations.
Those traveling by car can access the neighborhood via the Kennedy Expressway (I-90), using the Irving Park Rd and Montrose exits, as well as the Edens Expressway (I-94), using the Wilson Ave and Lawrence Ave exits.
Portage Park Real Estate Market Snapshot
CLASSIC BUNGALOWS • CONDO DEVELOPMENT • NEW CONSTRUCTION SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
The Portage Park neighborhood is a haven for families and those wanting to own a classic Chicago bungalow. This style of residential architecture is perhaps as emblematic of the housing market as skyscrapers are to Chicago’s downtown area. These homes were popularized in the early 20th century as a response to a growing population and the desire for space and natural light.
Many of the homes for sale in Portage Park are three-, four- and five-bedroom bungalow style houses that feature a living area, formal dining room, basement plus plenty of windows. Full eat-in kitchen is also a common feature. Some even tout updated interiors, with new hardwood floors, modern fixtures, stainless steel appliances and other attractive design elements.
A few recent developments in the neighborhood have given way for new condos for sale with private balconies, open concept layouts and contemporary finishes, as well as new construction single family homes that lean on the more luxurious side in terms of design.
Homes for sale in Portage Park generally range anywhere from $300K to $700K, depending on the space, updates and number of rooms provided.
Portage Park Realtor
Get more insight about the market trends and housing inventory from a Portage Park real estate expert:
Mark Quesada, Portage Park Realtor
630-308-4562 | mark@homehunterschicago.com
Choose to partner with trusted talent who will help you meet your real estate goals.
I want to be your #1 choice for Portage Park real estate by giving you confidence and a sense of ease in your home buying or home selling experience.
Read my client reviews on Zillow.
Live Like a Local in Chicago’s Portage Park Neighborhood
Schedule a house tour with a Portage Park real estate agent and then explore the neighborhood on your own. Here’s a quick self-guided tour of Portage Park.
Stop in for a breakfast sandwich and signature coffee at Perkolater (6032 Irving Park Rd). Sit at the counter and watch as the baristas lovingly brew your coffee or tea. Walk east on Irving Park Rd until you meet the entrance of Portage Park, and then take a few laps-worth walk around the expansive green space in the heart of this neighborhood. For lunch, try some wood-fired pizza at Legno by Suparossa (4250 N Central Ave). Gather with some friends and put your skills of precision to the test at The Backyard Axe Throwing League (4842 W. Irving Park Rd). Then wind down with an elevated dinner of American dishes with pan-Asian influences at Community Tavern (4038 N Milwaukee Ave).
Portage Park Dining
Portage Park’s dining scene is marked by local, casual neighborhood eats.
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Portage Grounds (5501 Irving Park Rd) - coffee drinks plus donuts and plenty of seating for catch ups, studying, working and lounging.
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Hops & Barley (4359 N Milwaukee Ave) - neighborhood bar offering daily specials, including $.75 wings on Sundays, and an occasional open mic night.
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Pueblo Nuevo (4342 N Central Ave) - cozy, no-fuss Mexican restaurant serving up tasty steak tacos and burritos among other Mexican dishes.
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Petes’s Pizza #2 (5847 W Montrose Ave) - the second location of this local Chicago pizzeria will likely become your go-to neighborhood pizza delivery.
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BRGRBELLY (5739 Irving Park Rd) - burgers the size of your face and creative burger/topping combinations makes this a stand out in the neighborhood.
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Sutherlands - hunker down, order a beer and watch the game. This local watering hole o
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Bob-O-Rino’s (3435 N Central Ave) - praised for having some of the best subs in Chicago.
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Galvin’s Public House (5901 W Lawrence Ave) - this Irish pub has a hearty menu and a fireplace that makes you feel as though you’re inside a cottage home.
Portage Park Neighborhood Amenities
As a family neighborhood, Portage Park has multiple parks and schools to help parents seeking recreation and education options for their kiddos. The neighborhood’s most well-known park is, of course, Portage Park (4100 N Long Ave), from which the neighborhood gets its name. The large stretch of parkland, includes an outdoor and indoor pool, a nature and wildlife garden, tennis courts, a dog area and a playground. Following Portage Park in popularity is Chopin Park (3420 N Long Ave) located south of Addison St. and featuring multiple programs for kids and families, including baseball, football, soccer, and tennis, among other sports, and classes ranging from crafts to piano lessons. Another neighborhood park with sports fields that cater to athletes and sports fans is Dunham Park (4638 N Melvina Ave) on the northwestern corner of the Portage Park neighborhood. Other parks, though smaller in size, that serve as small community gathering places for kids include Dickinson Playlot Park (4101 N Lavergne Ave) and Grace Zwiefka Thuis Park (4759 N Lavergne Ave).
There are also no shortage of public elementary schools in this northwest side neighborhood including Portage Park Elementary School (5330 W Berteau Ave), Smyser Elementary School (4310 N Melvina Ave), Prussing Elementary School (4650 N Menard Ave), William P Gray Elementary School (3730 N Laramie Ave), Peter A Reinberg Public School (3425 N Major Ave), and Ole A. Thorp Elementary Scholastic Academy (6024 W Warwick Ave). Tuition-based options include St. John’s Lutheran School (4939 W Montrose Ave), Midwestern Christian Academy (3465 N Cicero Ave) and St. Bartholomew School (4941 W Patterson Ave).
The school dense Portage Park neighborhood also has plenty of high school level options including Foreman College & Career Academy (3235 N Leclaire Ave), Rickover Naval Academy School (5700 W Berteau Ave), Vaughn Occupational High School (4355 N Linder Ave) and Chicago Academy High School (3400 N Austin Ave). And for those considering continued education, Wilbur Wright College, just adjacent to the western border of Portage Park, is in close proximity.
Grocery stores and food markets are fairly easy to come by as well. Jewel-Osco has two locations, (4660 Irving Park Rd; 4729 N Central Ave) in the neighborhood, including one in the Six Corners shopping district - which also has a Marshall’s, Famous Footwear and a Petsmart. Then there are smaller, local markets like LA BODEGA Food Market (5900 W Montrose Ave), Hagen’s Fish Market (5635 W Montrose Ave), a long-standing, family-owned market for fresh fish and meats, and Montrose Deli (5411 W Montrose Ave), a butcher and deli that specializes in Polish grocery items.
Portage Park Real Estate Consultant
Seriously considering a home purchase in the Portage Park neighborhood? I’m here to help.
Mark Quesada, Portage Park Realtor
630-308-4562 | mark@homehunterschicago.com
Buying a house is an important decision and requires the care, attention and counsel of a knowledgeable and trustworthy Portage Park real estate agent. If you’re in the market for an updated classic Chicago bungalow, or are looking for a home with the space and potential to convert into your dream home, work with a Portage Park real estate agent who can walk you through some of the best options. Thinking of selling your home? Partner with a Portage Park realtor who will connect you with potential buyers for your home.
Read my client reviews on Zillow.