One of the aspects of my work that I especially enjoy is helping people make a major change for the better in their lives. I helped a man along such a path last week. Monday evening I received an email from a man in Indiana stating that he was looking for a condo in Boystown.
Boystown is a gay neighborhood within the Lakeview area of Chicago. In fact, it’s considered America’s first official gay neighborhood. The spires shown left can be found along the North Halsted Street gay strip. They incorporate the colors in the gay pride flag and were part of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s $3.2-million restoration of the neighborhood in 1998. Interestingly, some critics of creating Chicago’s gay neighborhood said it would lower real estate values! Oh, how wrong they were! Real estate prices soared!
The next day when I spoke with the man, he shared how hard it was for him living as an openly gay man in Indiana. He had been harassed at work and physically assaulted with no consequences for the perpetrators. Fortunately, his career as an author has taken off and he can now afford a condo for himself and his father in Boystown.
On Friday, I met him and his father at Nookies Tree, a casual restaurant at 3334 N Halsted popular with the after bar crowd. After lunch, the 3 of us looked at condos in the neighborhood together. It was clear that he’s going to be much happier here in our gay-friendly city.
Fran Bailey specializes in downtown Chicago, Lincoln Park and Lake View condos, co-op apartments and houses. She has shared home buying and selling advice since 2006 and written about over 130 Chicago high rises. To schedule showings for any listings, get a 
