Bucktown

Bucktown is a neighborhood located within the Logan Square community in Chicago, northwest of the Loop. It got its name from its primarily Polish population's affection for raising goats, the male of which is called a buck. The area of Bucktown was one of the first places that attracted settlers outside of Fort Dearborn. It was built around a former Indian trail which is now Milwaukee Avenue. Bucktown's boundries are North Avenue on the South, Fullerton Ave. on the North, Ashland Ave. on the East, and Western Ave. on the West. This area has great transportation, restaurants and upscale shops.

Although prices are rising, Bucktown is regarded as a slightly less expensive alternative to other, higher-priced Chicago neighborhoods. The average starting prices for housing are: 1 bedroom $240,000, 2 bedrooms $300,000, 3 bedrooms $400,000.

Bucktown also is home to a large artistic community that brings excitement and energy, including the Flat Iron building and the Bucktown Art Fair. This started back in the last quarter of the 20th Century, when a growing artists' community led directly to widespread gentrification, which brought in a large population of young professionals. This Chicago neighborhood also hosts the Bucktown/Wicker Park Summer Fest, attracting over 30,000 visitors to the area every year. There is a special multi-media art festival celebrating the creative spirit of the neighborhood, called the “Around the Coyote Festival”. The area’s central art colony is called “Gallery Point” and it is bounded by Milwaukee, Damen, and North Avenues.

Bucktown has a great nightlife to offer its residents. Damen Avenue is the neighborhood's pulse, with a multitude of nightlife and shops, while North Avenue has some showy bars, clubs, new restaurants, and cute boutiques. It seems every street in Bucktown has its own neighborhood bar. A thriving nightlife also has provided the area with a higher-than-average ratio of hip bars, clubs, posh restaurants, and shopping opportunities.

The transportation in Bucktown is very effective. Car owners are conveniently located near Interstate 90/94. The Blue Line El is located at Damen Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue. CTA buses also crisscross on Ashland Avenue, Damen Avenue, Western Avenue and Armitage Avenue. Many residents in Bucktown walk to work, since several of the adjacent communities, like Wicker Park, are thriving commercial centers.

All in all Bucktown is a great place to live in, and has started to attract downtown professionals looking to move into the many newly renovated condos and apartments that are spread across the community. This warm yet exciting village is inviting, attracting all sorts of interesting people. If you are looking for a place to live, there is not a better choice than Bucktown. The main advantages of this area are the affordable housing (either for rent or to own), good transportation, and proximity to the Loop and the beautiful lakefront. It has a great history which is evident in the hundred-year-old buildings, cobblestone paths, and architecturally significant churches. Despite the influx of residents, Bucktown still retains much of its bohemian flavor and remains populated by a diverse mix of artists, young professionals, students, and many other Chicagoans.