Logan Square is a neighborhood that has long been known for its diversity and sense of community. Over the past few decades, it’s also become a home for Chicago’s artists and creatives, as well as a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene. Its beautiful parks and boulevards add a sense of peace and tranquility to the neighborhood, and it’s very common to see large groups of people enjoying picnics outside in the summer. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder new residents have been flocking to Logan Square in recent years.
Where is Logan Square?
Logan Square is located approximately seven miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The neighborhood boundaries are generally considered to be the 606 trail to the south, the Metra MD-N train to the west, Diversey Parkway to the north and the Chicago River’s north branch to the east.
There are some smaller neighborhoods and community areas located within Logan Square, most notably the Palmer Square area. The neighborhood is bordered by the Avondale neighborhood to the north, the Hermosa neighborhood to the west, the Humboldt Park and Wicker Park neighborhoods to the south and the the Bucktown neighborhood to the east.
History
When settlers first made their way to the Chicago area in the early 19th century, they built small towns where Logan Square is now. The initial population consisted of a mix of immigrants, which were mainly Scandinavian, English, Jewish and Polish. When the area was annexed to Chicago in 1889, a development boom started.
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This included the area’s namesake square and monument, as well as the boulevard system, both of which remain today. The boulevards are a series of roads that are bordered by green spaces and connected to parks. The city also built an elevated rail line, which is now the CTA Blue Line. The rail line made the neighborhood much more accessible and attracted many new residents.
Over time, Logan Square became a diverse multicultural neighborhood. There are large populations of Latino and Eastern European residents, but new development in recent years has attracted young professionals of all backgrounds. Although the neighborhood is evolving, it retains a strong sense of community.
Lifestyle
What To Do
One of the reasons why this neighborhood has become so popular is because of how much there is to do in the neighborhood. Just wandering through the area and taking in the architecture can be a great way to spend the afternoon, as there are so many stunning historic homes along the boulevard. It’s not uncommon to see live music or outdoor movie screenings in the area over the summer. Another great place to take a walk or bike ride in the neighborhood is the 606 Trail, a former elevated rail line that has been converted into a greenway.
The Milwaukee Avenue corridor is the main thoroughfare in the area and is home to a diverse array of boutiques and thrift stores. The Logan Square neighborhood is also known for its farmer’s market, which is held on Sundays throughout the year and features a wide variety of vendors.
Where To Eat And Drink
Logan Square has become one of Chicago’s most popular destinations for eating and drinking. It is home to several Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants, like Longman & Eagle, Daisies, Lula Cafe, Mi Tocaya Antojería and many others.
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You’ll have no shortage of options for an upscale dinner, but if you’re looking for something a little more casual, there are plenty of options for that as well. You can grab a mind-blowing Puerto Rican sandwich at Jibaritos y Más or pick up a slice of pizza at the Boiler Room, just to name a few.
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The neighborhood has also become one of the city’s top drinking destinations. Beer lovers will find plenty of breweries, including Revolution, Hopewell and Pilot Project. If you prefer wine, Webster’s, Outside Voices and Easy Does It are all great places to pick up a bottle. For cocktail enthusiasts, there’s Billy Sunday, Scofflaw and Lost Lake.
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Moving To Logan Square
Real Estate Snapshot
Right now, the average cost for an apartment for rent in Logan Square is $1,881 per month. This is slightly less than the average rent for the city of Chicago as a whole. The cost of rent in the neighborhood has increased over the last decade due to the huge amount of development in the area. The neighborhood has a wide range of housing stock, including single-family homes, two and three-flats and larger apartment buildings.
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Transportation
No matter what form of transportation you want to use, there are options in Logan Square. I-90 is on the east side of the neighborhood and can take you directly to downtown Chicago or to O’Hare International Airport very quickly. The CTA Blue Line also has two stops in Logan Square and will also take you downtown in about 15 minutes. In the downtown Loop, you can connect to the rest of the El system. There are also buses that connect with a number of other neighborhoods. Finally, you can rent a Divvy bike from one of the many stations in the neighborhood and get around town that way as well.
Schools & Employment
Small businesses are the biggest source of employment in Logan Square. In terms of education, there are multiple elementary schools in the neighborhood, with both public and private options. While there are no high schools directly in Logan Square, there are many high schools to choose from in surrounding neighborhoods like Humboldt Park and Avondale. The range of school options in the area has made this neighborhood a popular choice for families.
Logan Square’s vibrant and creative atmosphere makes it an ideal choice for everyone from artists to entrepreneurs to young families.
If you’re looking to rent an apartment in Logan Square, be sure to check out RENTCafé for all of the available new listings in the area!
