From gorgeously appointed vintage condos to units ideal for a first-time buyer, the north side neighborhood of Rogers Park has a wealth of choices in condominiums. The neighborhood takes its name from Phillip Rogers, an Irishman who purchased approximately 1,600 acres of government land in 1856. Some of that land, which was annexed by the city in 1893, became Rogers Park. Agriculture was the first industry and the fertile land produced hay, cabbage and cucumbers.

The price of land then was a far cry from what it is now. An acre of land cost $1.25 an acre in the mid-1800s Toward the end of the 19th century, well-heeled Chicagoans headed to Rogers Park and built elegant homes on large lots. Multi-unit buildings, many of which have been converted to condos, also were built. Rogers Park’s richly layered history is reflected in these stately older structures.

The neighborhood has also evolved to become one of the city’s most culturally and economically diverse. People of all ethnicities, from all walks of life and backgrounds make their homes in this neighborhood that is also known for its proximity to the beaches of Lake Michigan. The neigborhood boasts condos loaded with old-time charm in buildings that line streets leading to the lake and throughout the neigborhood, as well as newly constructed lofts with an edgier look, old-fashioned courtyard buildings with lawns and gardens at their centers and other mid-rise condo buildings. A wide range of prices for condos is a significant part of the appeal of Rogers Park.

One bedroom units can be found starting at the mid-90,000 range to upward of $700,000 for a penthouse condo with spectacular lake and city views. It’s hard to imagine a neighborhood with a greater variety of restaurants. Have a taste for Thai? A yen for vegetarian or Indian cuisine? How about pizza or sushi? All of these and many more cuisines are served at restaurants in Rogers Park. Entertainment options are just as varied. Rogers Park has storefront theatres for cutting edge drama, a 9-hole golf course, a YMCA and a range of facilities, from swimming pools to ice rinks, operated by the Chicago Park District. One of the neigborhood’s better known institutions is Loyola University, a Catholic university, which has a campus close to Lake Michigan on Sheridan Road. Young people attending the university contribute to the neighborhood’s vitality from many standpoints including adding to the local economy.

The neighborhood is well-served by public transit including bus lines and elevated trains. It’s easy to get to the northern suburbs from Rogers Park where many corporate employers have headquarters. A condo in Rogers Park allows people who work in the suburbs to easily indulge their desire to also live and be part of a diverse, urban setting.

Rogers Park is bounded by the city of Evanston to the north, by Ridge Boulevard to the west, Devon Avenue to the south and Lake Michigan on the east. Buyers lucky enough to be riding the crest of a condo boom in Rogers Park will certainly find a worthwhile investment in this interesting and diverse neighborhood.