Ten of the Best Rated Apartment Communities in Chicago

Ranking high on the list of America’s greenest cities, Chicago is the perfect mix of New York City living and mid-western generosity, not to say resourcefulness (let’s not forget that it was Chicagoans that came up with “yuppie”); seems like a good invite to live here, doesn’t it?

And if you just happen to be looking for a new Chicago apartment to call home, we’ve got you covered — with a little help from some reliable internet sidekicks.

Facebook and Yelp are some of the greatest inventions of our century. Why? Due to the almighty power of reviews. Taking into consideration these real life accounts — reviews submitted to Facebook and Yelp by actual residents — we put together a list of best rated apartment communities within Windy City and factored in some extra (but extremely important) criteria, like transit options, amenities, and walkability.

If you can picture yourself going out for a walk singing “each time I roam, Chicago is calling me home, Chicago is why I just grin like a clown”, go right ahead and take a look at our list of 10 of the best-rated apartment communities in Sinatra’s kind of town:

The Madison at Racine

Photo Credits: The Madison Racine Yelp

Yelp rating: 5* (six reviews)
Facebook rating: 5* (16 reviews)
Property description: The Madison at Racine is set in Chicago’s trendy West Loop, just a few steps away from boutiques, bistros, parks and easy access to public transportation. And if CTA does not fit your routine, how about walking or biking to work? Imagine coming home to a pet-friendly apartment with concierge, rooftop sun deck with pool, hot tub, fire pit, and lounge areas with gorgeous city views. And did I mentioned the Rooftop Club Room with billiards, a state-of-the-art fitness center and the private dog-park? 

Or as a resident put it “all the little touches that the Madison does are awesome- the host resident breakfast, provide dog treats in the lobby, free coffee 24/7, just to name a few. They also host parties by the pool and in the upstairs club room free for residents!  It really makes you feel like home. “

Aqua

Photo Credits: Aqua at Lakeshore East RentCafe & Yelp

Yelp rating: 4.5* (31 reviews)
Facebook rating: 4.7* (46 reviews)
Property description: With 82 residential units, Aqua is one of the tallest skyscrapers in the Lakeshore East development. The Shore Club within the apartment community boasts two entire floors excellent for entertainment or a simple chill-out session, including: a fitness center, basketball court, sauna and steam rooms, indoor & outdoor pool and hot tubs, massage and treatment rooms, media room with theater-style seating, and many, many more. The building’s connection to the Pedway (no. 67 on the map) makes your daily commute much easier.

“Happy Anniversary my Aqua Boo. Aqua BAE. Sugar Aqua. My Hot Aqua. Yo Quiero Aqua. I drink you up like the thirst of one thousand camels with no hump. That much. Aqua, I love you.” Marc’s ecstatic review speaks for itself.

The Alfred

Yelp rating: 4* (three reviews)
Property description: Originally built in 1928, The Alfred was designed by architect Alfred Alschuler, combining vintage charm with sleek and sophisticated style. Choose from the wide array of apartments it features, ranging from studios and junior 1 beds to one and two-bedroom apartments, to live in the heart of Chicago’s loop, just steps away from Millennium park and the Art Institute. Original details of the building were preserved, like the herringbone wood flooring and oversized three-panel Chicago style windows. Luxury amenities, quite literally bring life to this building, with a rooftop garden, lounge, and fitness center, where the city’s top trainers provide the best guidance and advice. Residents get the added bonus of gaining access to all FLATS amenities – from Uptown to Pilsen.

Hubbard Place

Photo Credits: Hubbard Place RentCafe

Yelp rating: 4.5* (20 reviews)
Facebook rating: 4.3* (29 reviews)
Property description: Besides being a high-end community, Hubbard Place has another card up its sleeve: it’s located in the stylish River North neighborhood, one bridge away from the Loop and, as resident Bill adds, “right across from the iconic East Bank Club? You nailed it Hubbard Place!”. With top-notch amenities like an outdoor pool, hot tub, indoor whirlpool spa, sauna, steam rooms, deluxe media theater with surround sound, landscaped dog run for convenient late night and early mornings strolls, and the almighty power of skyscrapers view.  With this side of the city being the go-to district for fine arts, design, and a buzzing nightlife in a trendsetter atmosphere, what else could you ask for?

Flair Tower

Photo Credits: Flair Tower Official Website Yelp

Yelp rating: 4* (13 reviews)
Facebook rating: 4.8 (23 reviews)
Property description: Flair Tower is set at the heart of River North, with its myriad of restaurants, bookstores, clothing stores, movie theaters, and a walk away from the Museum of Contemporary Art. The building alludes subtle elegance through its penthouse fireplaces, designer porcelain tile flooring kitchens, beautifully landscaped terrace with fireplace, pool and spa. Imagine coming back home from a long day, diving for some peace of mind, then letting Chicago’s skyline embrace you for the night.

“It is a smaller 200 units property, that from the time one walks in the door feels more like a boutique hotel than an apartment complex. The doormen truly behave like concierge service, they know everyone, they take care of your stuff, they give your dog a bone and there is always delicious coffee in the coffee service in the morning” — this review sounds just like a warm Welcome Home, doesn’t it?

The Morgan at Loyola Station

Photo Credits: The Morgan at Layola Station RentCafe

Yelp rating: 4.5* (10 reviews)
Facebook rating: 4.3* (24 reviews)
Property description: If you were searching for a youthful place to call home, The Morgan is the one to keep you up and running without downtown’s fuss. “As a student at Loyola, my roommates and I could not have received a better value for our money, it has been three years of luxury and comfort. Overall, the last 3 years in the Morgan have been phenomenal ones.”

The LEED-certified, pet-friendly community has plenty of room both for your car and your bike, a rooftop terrace perfect for entertaining your friends over some drinks, 24-hour fitness gym to keep you fit for the next marathon, plus many other services including concierge. Make sure you also stop for cookies at the Insomnia Cafe, right across the street.

180 North Jefferson

Photo Credits: 180 North Jefferson Official Website Yelp

Yelp rating: 4* (12 reviews)
Facebook rating: 4* (27 reviews)
Property description: Practical yet comfortable with a luxurious touch, the Jefferson represents the vibrant attitude of the Windy City. 180 North Jefferson is a dog-friendly building with gorgeous views, floor-to-ceiling-windows, and a rooftop that would amaze anyone. From here you can easily walk to the Loop, take the expressways and, most importantly, be just a few blocks away from the best restaurants in Chicago, such as  Sepia, one of Michelle Obama’s favorites. No worries though, this prime foodie spot also has a fitness center to redeem the gourmand inside.

“I could not recommend this apartment any more to anyone looking for a spot in the West Loop/Fulton Market area!” says Lauren, an avid supporter of 180 North Jefferson.

Parc Huron

Photo Credits: Parc Huron & RentCafe

Yelp rating: 4.5* (21 reviews)
Facebook rating: 4.5 (43 reviews)
Property description: Parc Huron is perfectly described by its motto “be well in your environment”. A serene indoor spa (featuring a pool, sauna, and a private massage room), resident fitness center, a state-of-the-art movie theater, as well as private wine tasting room make Huron the perfect place to enjoy life in your own bubble. Living in River North, minutes from the Loop, has a bunch of great advantages like proximity to vibrant art galleries, restaurants, entertainment venues, and 14,000 sq ft of Ward Park all lying at your feet.

Plus, their motto seems to be well represented by the staff, as resident Diamond highlights: “They are so helpful, family oriented, and hospitable. They go above and beyond when you need something done and I felt everyday when I came home I was walking into a five star hotel. I’ve stayed in a few buildings downtown but nothing like this.”

Catalyst

Photo Credits: Catalyst RentCafe

Yelp rating: 5* ( six reviews)
Facebook rating: 5* (one review)
Property description: Chicagoans won a new realty star in the West Loop with the development of Catalyst. The building is comparably smaller, meaning that there is a quieter atmosphere, less traffic, and more intimate events. Besides being cozier and the 1st residential building in Chicago wired top to bottom with fiber optic cable, Catalyst is also pet-friendly, with a dog-walk-park and a pet-wash station. Not to mention that residents like Barb here feel “spoiled by having a fitness center and yoga/exercise studio with state of the art equipment on an amenity floor that also includes an expansive lounge area with pool table.”

If location is key for you, the complex is right off the highway (with grocery stores all around), and just a few minutes away from Randolph Street (aka “restaurant row”), and Ogilvie Station. Don’t forget to check in for the VIP City Key!

Mondial River West

Photo Credits: Mondial River West Official Website

Yelp rating: 4.5* (10 reviews)
Facebook rating: 5* (four reviews)
Property description: As this reviewer perfectly puts it ” The building is gorgeous and the view from my unit is breathtaking!“ To top that, you also have a gorgeous sunset to the west and a dog-park area perfect for the long winter; and these are just a few of Mondial’s chic and cozy treasures. Located in the relatively new River West, only one mile northwest from the Loop and bordering the dynamic River North, trendy designs and upgraded amenities have become the new norm for this diverse community. Besides, who wouldn’t want to be close to Little Italy or the Greek Town, not to mention the United Center?

The Scott Residences

Photo Credits: The Scott Residences Official Website & Yelp

Yelp rating: 5* (seven reviews)
Facebook rating: 3.7* ( three reviews)
Property description: The Scott Residence is the perfect location if you don’t want to live in high-rise areas but have the same amenities. Located at the corner of Scott and Wells in Victorian-like Old Town, Scott Residence is in Kenneth’s words “an amazing new modern, yet classically outfitted, luxury building“. The amenities are pretty cool too: ground-floor retail, with Massage Envy and Starbucks in the corner suite, a private ground-floor dog run, fitness center, valet dry cleaning service, a top-floor sundeck and the list can go on, but you got the point by now: check it out.