| If you are looking for real estate in | | | | with an economy that relies heavily on |
| Northern Illinois, you can choose to settle | | | | high-tech businesses, tourism and the |
| in an environment as lively and busy as | | | | westward growth of Chicago. Real estate |
| Chicago or as scenic and historical as | | | | prices are also significantly lower in |
| Rockford. | | | | Rockford. |
| | | | |
| Even though both of these places rank within | | | | For example, the median price for a |
| the three largest cities of the state they | | | | single-family home in Rockford is $93,000. |
| definitely have different attractions to | | | | This figure is lower than both the national |
| offer home buyers. | | | | median cost for single-family homes and the |
| | | | median cost for Chicago homes. From its |
| Chicago | | | | nickname as "The Forest City" to local |
| | | | attractions like the Anderson Japanese |
| In addition to housing the second largest | | | | Gardens, Klehm Arboretum and the Botanical |
| business district in the U.S., Chicago is | | | | Gardens, Rockford is also famous for its |
| ethnically diverse, culturally rich and full | | | | natural beauty and park systems. |
| of lively entertainment. The Chicago real | | | | |
| estate market is also huge and diverse since | | | | Its location makes it a valuable refuge from |
| it accommodates millions of people with a | | | | the city, but you can commute into Chicago |
| broad range of small and large budgets. | | | | for a day of sightseeing in less than two |
| | | | hours too. |
| As a result, buyers can choose to invest in | | | | |
| anything from a single-family home or mansion | | | | Sorting through the Real Estate |
| to condos, penthouse apartments, townhouses, | | | | |
| and loft apartments when they shop for a home | | | | Whether you prefer Chicago or Rockford |
| in Chicago. The Loop and northern | | | | living, there will be a lot of real estate |
| neighborhoods have always been popular for | | | | listings to go over before you find the home |
| their lakeside views, harbors, parks and | | | | of your dreams. One of the best ways to make |
| nightlife, but West side neighborhoods like | | | | the home-buying process faster and less |
| Bucktown are also rising on the home value | | | | stressful is to hire a knowledgeable Realtor |
| scale. | | | | who is familiar with the local area. |
| | | | |
| As a result, the best place to look for | | | | That way you can have a guide to show you |
| affordable Chicago homes are southern | | | | through the houses as well as access to the |
| communities like Englewood, Riverdale and | | | | most up-to-date listings and all the |
| Chicago Lawn. | | | | neighborhood statistics. If you're working |
| | | | with a Realtor you can also hold them to the |
| Rockford | | | | stringent ethical standards required by the |
| | | | National Association of Realtors. |
| By comparison, Rockford is a smaller city | | | | |