The Joys of Wrigleyville

Walking around Wrigleyville this week there was a decidedly different mood in the air than there was at the beginning of last week. As any baseball fan will tell you, it’s a far finer feeling to sweep than to be swept.

After losing three straight to their South Side rivals, Wrigleyville felt the impact of the weekend series as much as the fans or the team itself. It’s funny how the neighborhood rolls with the punches that the Cubs either give or receive. When the Cubs do well the neighborhood swells with pride; when they do not play as well, devoted Wrigleyville denizens are not quite as energetic. At the moment this section of the city needs a double espresso shot to shake off the mini-slump the team is experiencing.

When looking for housing in Wrigleyville, the home field advantage plays a key role as well. Having a Major League Baseball team as a neighbor has great advantages but there are definitely key considerations to make. You have to consider that even with the parking stickers that the city offers residents, the parking situation is difficult at best, so a parking space is almost a necessity. Traffic and crowd noise can be bothersome, particularly for families with small children, so if absolute serenity is a requirement, Wrigleyville may not be the place for you.

However, if you are looking for a neighborhood with a dynamic, lively night life, dozens of bars and restaurants, and front row seats for National League baseball games, Wrigleyville could be your spot.

Here are some open houses in Wrigleyville over the July 4th weekend. All of these listings include parking:

3133 N. Lakewood Ave., #2D
$429,900
Beds: 2
Baths: 2

3751 N. Ashland Ave., #3N
$559,000
Beds: 3
Baths:3

3258 N. Racine St., #1
$364,900
Beds: 2
Baths: 2

3248 N. Sheffield Ave., #3
$424,900
Beds: 2
Baths: 2