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