If you want to live near downtown Chicago without paying downtown prices, you’ll find the most choices in the Near South Side area of Chicago.
The Near South Side extends from Roosevelt Road (1200 S) down to 26th Street. The east border is Lake Michigan. The west border depends on how far south you are. Between Roosevelt and 18th Streets the west border is the Chicago River. Between 18th and Cermak Road it’s Clark Street. South of that the west border is Federal Street. It includes the south part of the 60605 zip code and the northeast portion of the 60616 zip code.
The median sale price in 2013 was $354,500.* In 2012 and 2011 it was $269,000 and $277,500. Market times have also been improving. In 2013 the average days on market was only 62 days. In 2012 and 2011 the averages were 129 days and 238 days. So the market is definitely on the upswing!
The area includes the south part of the South Loop, the Prairie District, Central Station, Museum Campus and Dearborn Park.
Near South Side homes for sale include condos, townhomes and a few houses. There are no co-op apartments. Most condos are in high-rise and mid-rise buildings. Styles range from vintage to contemporary. The houses have a minimum of 2 stories. Several of them have 3 or 4 floors.
Downtown Chicago Homes for Sale
If you want a view of Lake Michigan look at homes near the lake or find a condo on a high floor. Many of the homes on higher floors also have great views of the downtown skyline to the north.
The number of choices of Near South Side homes for sale has plummeted over the past few years. At the end of 4th quarter 2013 there were only 461 such homes for sale compared with 1,408 at the end of 2010. That’s a drop of over 67%! If you’re considering selling your Near South Side home, get our free home valuation.
Sizes of Near South Side homes range from high-rise studios that have less than 700 SF to mansions with 8,000 SF or more. There are also very few studios and mansions. If you’re interested in either, look farther north.
NEAR SOUTH SIDE HOMES FOR SALE
Click below to see Near South Side homes for sale by price range.
| $900K+ | $800K - $900K | $700K - $800K | $600K - $700K |
| $500K - $600K | $400K - $500K | $300K - $400K | $200K - $300K |
QUESTIONS?
Call Fran at 773-793-4516, text or email
* based on Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED)
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 
