Living in Jefferson Park

CULTURE & TRADITION •  SMALL BUSINESSES • OPEN GREEN SPACE • RESIDENTIAL LIVING 

The Jefferson Park neighborhood is rooted in German, Polish and Russian traditions that date back to the 1830s when some of the first settlers to the area hailed from these countries. The neighborhood still has a celebrated Polish influence that can be experienced in its dining or each year in the Taste of Polonia festival. This northwest side neighborhood, like a few other Chicago communities, is named after the area’s namesake park, located off of Higgins Ave and Lawrence Ave., which serves as one of the area’s key amenities where families with kids can play the afternoon away, runners can enjoy a jog, and couples and friends can take a stroll. 

Jefferson Park represents big city community living at its best.  Small businesses, local restaurants and brick apartments line the major streets, while side streets are lined with English Tudor-style houses and framed single family homes. 

Residents of the Jefferson Park neighborhood benefit from proximity to the expressway and easy accessibility via the CTA, buses and Blue Line, as well as the Metra trains. 

Jefferson Park Transportation

Jefferson Park is a good neighborhood location for commuters traveling by public transit. The area is serviced by the CTA Blue Line, and the station is located off Milwaukee Ave and Gale St. A number of bus routes also connect and move through the area including the #56 N Milwaukee, #92 Foster, #81 West Lawrence, #78 Montrose, #88 Higgins, #57 Laramie, #68 Northwest Highway, #91 Austin, #85 Central and #85A North Central.

A common mode of transit includes the Metra commuter rail Forest Glen, Jefferson Park, and Gladstone Park. 

The neighborhood’s position just off of the Kennedy Expressway (I-90) also makes it convenient for those that are needing to commute by car to downtown or the northwest suburbs.

Jefferson Park Real Estate Market Snapshot

BUNGALOWS •  TUDOR-STYLE HOUSES  • SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES • BRICK TWO FLATS

If you’ve aspired to be the homeowner of a Chicago bungalow, Jefferson Park should most certainly be on your search list. The area’s housing inventory is predominantly single-family homes, many in the Chicago bungalow style, as well as some English Tudor homes and multi-level frame and brick single-family homes. A few ranch homes also make up part of the real estate market in Jefferson Park.  Along the major streets, home hunters will find two- and three- level apartment and condo buildings. 

Ample space for families marks many of the homes for sale and condos available in Jefferson Park. Some houses are newly remodeled with modern and contemporary updates, finishes and touches. There are also houses that would be a dream for those with an eye and keen sense for design, who are looking to take on a fixer-upper project.

Homes for sale in Jefferson Park average between the range of high $300K’s and mid $400k’s.

Jefferson Park Real Estate Sales Data

Learn more about the housing inventory and market trends with a Jefferson Park real estate expert: 

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Mark Quesada, Jefferson 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 Jefferson Park real estate by providing exceptional customer service and creating the most comfortable home buying or home selling experience possible.

Live Like a Local in Chicago’s Jefferson Park Neighborhood

Schedule a home viewing with a Jefferson Park real estate agent and then explore the neighborhood on your own. Here’s a quick self-guided tour of Jefferson Park. 

Get your morning brewing at Weston’s Coffee & Tap (4872 N Milwaukee Ave). Enjoy the late morning air with a walk or bike ride in the Forest Glen Woods (5420 N Forest Glen Ave), on the northeast end of the Jefferson Park neighborhood. Get some afternoon nourishment at Earl's BBQ (4835 N Austin Ave). and then spend an hour or two at Ed Paschke Art Center (5415 W Higgins Ave) viewing the latest exhibitions on display at this free neighborhood cultural institution. Plan for an early dinner at Cafe Marbella (5527 N Milwaukee Ave) before catching an evening performance at The Gift Theatre (4802 N Milwaukee Ave), one of Chicago’s leading storefront theatres.

Jefferson Park Dining

Jefferson Park neighborhood restaurants are characterized by tradition, culture and ethnic cuisine. Polish delis and buffets, as well as Irish pubs are some of the longstanding neighborhood dining spots. Here are some local places to add to your “places to try” list: 

• A Midwest Kitchen (5740 N Milwaukee Ave) stop in for handcrafted pretzels and coffee. 

• Gale Street Inn (4914 N Milwaukee Ave) most known for their ribs, but this local pub offers a varied menu including Jambalaya and South African Lobster Tails.

• Mother Cluckers Kitchen Chicago (5200 N Elston Ave) Po Boys, fried chicken sandwiches and broasted chicken dinners are just a few of the menu favorits at this counter service BYOB restaurant.

• SMAK-TAK! (5200 N Elston Ave) this neighborhood Polish restaurant serves up pierogis, potato pancakes and sausages, along with Polish Tymbark Juices and Nałęczowianka Sparkling Water.

• Assyrian Kitchen (5481 N Northwest Hwy) the restaurant boasts a menu with dishes inspired from ancient recipes.

• Smakosz (5619 W Lawrence Ave) - if a family-owned, authentic Polish restaurant is what you’re seeking, be sure to cozy up here.