The West Loop: More Than Just a Diamond in the Rough

One of the biggest challenges of my job is to match my clients with the right neighborhood for them. The reason? It's no cliché that Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, and each of these neighborhoods has its own personality.

For younger clients looking for an affordable condominium in an up-and-coming area - one with art galleries and trendy shops that appeal to younger families and single buyers - I can point to Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

The West Loop is on my mind because the Chicago Tribune this weekend ran an extended profile of the neighborhood in their Sunday Chicago Homes section. The story correctly states that this Chicago neighborhood is still a great place for buyers looking for reasonably priced condominiums located near the city's downtown hub. The West Loop certainly isn't right for every buyer - Those with larger families might want to look in a more established area of the city or a close-in suburb - but for buyers looking to get into a neighborhood that is still growing, the West Loop might be an ideal match.

For those with an eye for trendy, loft-style properties, exciting nightlife opportunities, fabulous dining, and boutique shopping, the West Loop is a hotbed of activity. It is true that in the past, the West Loop may have had a somewhat negative connotation associated with it, however as Bob Dylan sang, "The times, they are a-changin'." It is now a neighborhood emerging as a very sought-after place to live.

The Tribune story highlights once again the amazing diversity of the Chicago market. There are homes and neighborhoods here for everyone. Problem is, it's often easy to overlook that one community that may be perfect for you. It's why I always recommend that when buying, you work with an experienced, knowledgeable Chicago REALTOR®, one who knows all those often-overlooked gems of the Chicago area.