Andersonville offers true neighborhood feel

Andersonville, Chicago's hidden neighborhood

By local real estate expert Eric Carlson

If you don’t live on the north side of Chicago, you may not know about one of its best kept secrets.  Andersonville, first established in 1855 by Swedish immigrants, has grown and developed from a small farming community into a diverse pedestrian friendly neighborhood centered around Clark Street. 

Andersonville is home to a variety of great restaurants from Japanese, Thai, Italian, Mexican and French fare to Southern, Middle Eastern and Korean all within a few blocks.  Nightlife ranges from local Sports bars and Irish pubs to more sophisticated wine and martini bars.  Book sellers, furniture boutiques, antiques shops, health clubs, spas and clothing stores line a very dog friendly Clark Street.  Along with water bowls and treats placed here and there, there is a fantastic doggie bakery.  Every holiday season many of the local merchants stay open late on special nights for people to socialize and shop for unique gifts.  In the summer, Andersonville is home to the wildly popular Midsommarfest when Clark Street is lined with dozens of artisans, food vendors,  activities and four stages of entertainment. 

The quiet residential neigborhoods in Andersonville have a unique feel.  Many of the buildings and homes were built in the 1920’s.  These beautiful streets have maintain their charm despite the great number of  renovated buildings and homes.   You can find several examples of traditional American Foursquare and Queen Anne style homes as well as many tree line streets with vintage brick 2 and 3 flats. 
 
Andersonville lies just to the west of the CTA Redline which operates 24 hours a day and northeast of the Metra commuter rail line making it easily accessible to downtown.  Andersonville is a unique neighborhood that has not lost track of its roots.  Visit the Swedish American Museum and stop next door for a few cinnamon rolls at Anne Sather‘s.  Yet despite its unique village feel, Andersonville is  a trendy, stylish, diverse neighborhood which provides everything its residences may want or need.