History tells us that Lake View allegedly got its name from a Great Gatbsy-like resort that no longer stands, the Lake View House. Today, Lake View encompasses many of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods: Lake View East, Boystown, Wrigleyville, and Southport Corridor.
In Lake View, you’ll find the Belmont Theater District (which includes over 30 theaters), where The Annoyance Theater rules improv, Laugh Factory rules comedy, and Briar Street Theatre plays host to the Blue Man Group. Its vibrant energy is reminiscent of that which is usually associated with smaller neighborhood enclaves but is home to the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach, also known as AGLOChicago. It’s is one of the largest welcoming LGBTQ+ congregations in the United States! While this neighborhood is highly walkable, you’ll find access to public transportation in Lake View to be some of the best in the entire city, with easy access to the Red, Brown, and Purple Line CTA trains and many bus lines. In the summer, Lake View residents can enjoy watching the boats at Belmont Harbor year-round, with ease of access to Chicago’s every popular lakefront trail. Local tip: in the summer, ladders are added along the lakefront in this area, which makes quick dips in Lake Michigan a breeze.
Real estate in Lake View ranges from high-rise buildings with views of Lake Michigan to two and three-story walk-ups along charming tree-lined streets. There are also plenty of courtyard buildings housing condos and rental apartments. You can also find sprawling single-family homes, new constructions, gut-rehabs, student-housing, and family estates. It truly hosts a little bit of everything. While homes here are not on the market long and according to recent MRED data is going for an average of just under 700k. Yet rental options are abundant and vary in design and styles – which is a great thing! Units can range from studios around $900 to larger units with several rooms for $3000 a month.