Top 10 Reasons to Live in Chicago’s Lakefront Condos

Chicago is an exciting lakeside city with a never-ending roster of things to do during the festive summer months. Every weekend is packed with street fairs, musical concerts and family-friendly community events—not to mention all the fun stuff going on along the lakefront all season long (e.g. biking, swimming, boating, fireworks, volleyball tournaments, Air & Water Show, etc.). As a resident in one of Chicago’s lakefront condos, you get to be in the midst of all the action year-round. Check out the following list of reasons to make your Windy City home in a condo on Chicago’s lakefront…

1. The View!
No question about it, Chicago’s lakefront properties have some of the best views in the city. Get an east-facing window on an upper floor and you can see for miles out over Lake Michigan.

2. Proximity to Lake Michigan
The city’s lakefront condos are about as close as you can get to living on the water in Chicago, unless you plan on taking up residence in a boat (which some people do during the summer months).

3. Nearby Amenities
Because of its huge popularity among city dwellers and tourists, the lakefront is packed with amenities up and down the shoreline. Whether you’re looking for a place to rent a bike, get a bite to eat or play with the kids, there’s something to accommodate your needs.
4. Lakefront Trail
Nearly the entire lakefront of Chicago is connected by a paved bike/jogging path that hugs the shoreline and allows cyclists, runners and walkers to go about their business without having to worry about motorist traffic. The trail is one of Chicago’s most prized features and is just across Lake Shore Drive from the city’s lakefront condo buildings.

5. Lake Shore Drive
Lake Shore Drive is one of the city’s most-used roadways and it is super convenient for anyone who lives in a lakefront condo. It curves along the coast, offering a quick (provided it’s not rush hour) and scenic route to get from one end of the city to the other.

6. Public Parkland
Chicago city planners wanted the lakefront to be public land that could be accessed and enjoyed by anyone. As a result, the entire eastern edge of Chicago is filled with parks, beaches, harbors and wide open green spaces—giving all those lucky lakefront condo residents an awfully nice “front yard”.

7. Cultural Attractions
Due to its picturesque setting, the lakefront has always been a choice location for Chicago’s major cultural attractions. From the Museum Campus to Navy Pier to the South Shore Cultural Center, these popular sight-seeing spots wouldn’t be the same without that spectacular Lake Michigan backdrop.

8. Lake Breeze
The air in Chicago’s inland areas can feel hot and stifling compared to the cool, lake breeze enjoyed by the city’s lakefront residences. The breeze comes in off the water in refreshing gusts that circulate the air and bring temperatures down several degrees on hot summer days.

9. People Watching
The lakefront draws all sorts of characters, including a mix of nationalities, sight-seers, individuals, couples, families and groups. There is always something (or someone) interesting to observe.

10. Weather Watching
The wide open, moisture-rich expanse of Lake Michigan not only contributes to the wild weather patterns in Chicago, it provides an unbeatable arena for viewing the changing climate conditions as well. There is nothing like watching storm clouds roll in over miles of lake water or seeing that big city haze settle over the building tops.

And the surprise 11th Reason to live in a Chicago lakefront condo… Sunrises! Every morning the sun comes up over the eastern horizon, blazing across Lake Michigan’s crystal blue waves. It’s an impressive natural phenomenon best viewed from the water’s edge.

Spencer Mason writes about topics for condos in Chicago.