Properties in Bucktown and Wicker Park are slightly more affordable than those of its upscale neighbor, Lincoln Park, which is located along Lake Michigan. Zoning laws that are currently in place downsize Bucktown and Wicker Park, promoting single-family homes and buildings on a smaller scale. It's not uncommon to see long-time city residents sweeping their front steps, conversing with neighbors over a fence or walking dogs. Bucktown and Wicker Park are conveniently located along the Kennedy Highway. Both can be accessed in about 15 minutes from downtown Chicago or about 15 minutes from O'Hare Airport by car. Property seekers are well advised to investigate transportation provided by the CTA (about 15 minutes to downtown Chicago on the Blue Line).

Although the area has evolved, it has managed to hang onto its roots. The communities are still home to the third largest concentration of resident artists in the country. Several churches and temples still conduct services in the language of early immigrants such as Polish, Spanish, and Ukrainian, just to name a few. There is an offbeat blend of urban amenities and world-class restaurants for those receptive to nearly every type of cuisine.  You'll find Japanese, African, Thai, Polish, Cuban, and French cuisine as well as many others. Nocturnal visitors are attracted by nightlife along a popular strip of Damen Avenue (near the North Avenue "el" stop).

Growing in size each year are neighborhood festivals that celebrate the arts: Wicker Park's “Around the Coyote” (held the first weekend after Labor Day) and The Bucktown Arts Festival (last weekend in August).  For the fit and fast, there's the Bucktown 5K and one-mile walk (fourth Sunday in September).

Businesses and residents peacefully coexist in Bucktown and Wicker Park as they benefit from sharing property tax responsibility and less congestion. These adjoining neighborhoods have much to offer residents who desire convenience of a big city with a community atmosphere.