Family FriendlyUpdated February 2026
Lakeview is Chicago's quintessential North Side neighborhood — lakefront access, Wrigley Field, top-rated schools, and one of the city's best transit networks all within walking distance. It's the neighborhood where young renters grow into young families without ever needing to move.
The neighborhood divides into several distinct sub-areas. Wrigleyville (around Clark and Addison) is louder, more bar-heavy, and game-day oriented. East Lakeview along Broadway is the historic gay neighborhood with a strong community identity. South Lakeview near Belmont is more residential and family-focused. Knowing which part suits you is important when apartment hunting here.
At $2,100/month average for a 1BR, Lakeview sits in the middle of Chicago's price range — more expensive than Rogers Park or Uptown, but noticeably cheaper than Lincoln Park or the West Loop. For the quality of life it delivers, most renters consider it solid value.
Best value streets: W. Roscoe St, N. Racine Ave, and N. Halsted south of Belmont. Avoid paying a premium for the blocks immediately around Wrigley unless you love game-day noise.