I’ve lived in Avondale for 10 years—here’s why it’s the coolest neighborhood in Chicago

When soaring rents chased us out of our cozy third-floor walkup in Logan Square, my wife and I migrated a mile northwest up Milwaukee Avenue—away from pricier options like Logan Square and Wicker Park—and found a new home in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. Now, 10 years later, Avondale is buzzing.

On an evening stroll down Milwaukee Avenue we hear music and laughter spilling from the bars, cafes and restaurants. Formerly vacant storefronts are filling up with record shops and bookstores, breweries and bakeries, thrift stores and boutiques—not only along Milwaukee Avenue, but also on Belmont and Diversey Avenues, all the way from Pulaski Road to the west to the North Branch of the Chicago River to the east. A vibrant community arts scene is attracting attention from across the city. The