Albany Park - Chicago, IL

Now called "Chicago's Gateway to the World," Albany Park once comprised just a small farming community. In 1893, a group of wealthy investors purchased 640 acres of land and slowly brought transportation lines to the area. Named after DeLancey Louderback's hometown of Albany, New York, Albany Park became essential to commercial and residential expansion. Eventually, buildings and residential bungalows were built around major train terminals to accommodate the influx of residents leaving Chicago near the west side. After World War II, some residents moved out while still others flocked to Albany Park, making it a dynamic urban neighborhood in the course of one generation.

With at least 200 restaurants, coffee shops and bars in the area, a large part of Albany Park's culture focuses on the food scene. Blending community service with food production, the Global Garden farmers market helps refugees integrate into society by providing them with work in a close-knit community. The organic farm hosts a farmers market at Sacramento and Gunnison, one block north of Lawrence.

Enjoy a number of annual events and year-round musical-and-theater performances staged by the Northeastern Illinois University, North Park University, and the Albany Park Theater Project. Though few museums exist in the area, you can fill your weekend with festivals such as the Taste of Polonia Fish Festival. This event features food vendors, Polish breweries, and small, live performances that locals praise as affordable fun with excellent flavor.

The food, restaurant, and even grocery store scene in Albany Park all stand unrivaled. With over 225 places in the neighborhood to grab a bite to eat, residents find it hard to separate the good from the amazing.

Locals praise Noon O Kabab on Kedzie Avenue for authentic Persian kababs grilled to perfection. Order the family plate as take out, or park for free around the building, and stick around for the Soltani and fresh dill rice.

Also located on Kedzie Avenue sits Cafe Orient 33, a Korean cafe known for affordable, delectable wings smothered in Korean marinades. Order sweet-and-spicy chicken wings from the secret menu taped to the counter, and pair them with crunchy potato balls. For an excellent beef dish, try the perfectly portioned Bulgogi with rice.

For a night out, head to Sunnyday Tap on Elston Avenue to watch your favorite small bands play while you enjoy fairly-priced drinks. You can even find parking with ease, something that doesn't typically come with a neighborhood bar location. Arrive in time for dinner because residents tout the amazing flavors of the signature burger. Grab your beer first before heading to the backstage area for twice-a-month karaoke. If you wish to establish your own rotating bar favorites, start on Lawrence Avenue or Pulaski Road, as these strips host many other esteemed bars in the neighborhood.

Though nearly 50 percent of residents drive frequently, the public transportation system in Albany Park comes highly praised by locals as an easy means for commuting. Six bus lines pass through the area from the CTA Montrose Blue line station, as well as the Brown subway line at the Kimball stop. Although, with beautiful homes lining the clean and safe streets, you may prefer to walk, as Albany Park has a walkability score of 85, which means you can get to an average of eight restaurants in only five minutes by foot. This proves especially true of blocks surrounding the intersection at Kedzie and Lawrence Avenue, where several popular restaurants and bars cluster. This area also boasts easy biking, with bike lanes on every major vertical road and light traffic in the neighborhood. Thanks to several ground-level shops and restaurants, Lawrence Avenue remains a prominent biking route for many residents.

Residents can also use the dozen available car shares that serve the neighborhood. Though some streets do require permits, parking proves relatively easy to find, and spots usually sit quite close to your destination. You can also use Uber to catch a taxi, though visitors say the service often proves unreliable when it comes to navigating the compact neighborhoods. On your way out of town, take the exits at Montrose Avenue or Pulaski Road for quick access to Interstate 90.

Albany Park has at least four designated green spaces with continually high ratings from kids and adults. Horner Park has its entrance on Montrose Avenue, and at 55 acres, it provides access from just about anywhere. This park attracts joggers and athletes who desire a scenic background for their workouts. Featuring both an attractive jogging route and well-maintained tennis and basketball courts, this park stands as the place to come if you wish to test your agility. Because of the large size, locals say it never feels crowded, even while attending the "Movies in the Park" events with dozens of other residents. Make sure to get your share of free popcorn, and bring a blanket to sit on while your favorite flick airs on the projector. Horner Park also hosts several annual events, such as a pumpkin patch every October. The park also welcomes bikers and dogs, as long as your furry friends stay on a leash.

If you plan on bringing along little ones, visit Eugene Field Park for more equipment tailored to children. This park has a playground and spray pool, in addition to basketball and tennis courts. Scope out the hidden trail along the south side that runs around the river. If you want to bring your dog, stick to this location, as locals regard it as the most dog-friendly spot in the area. Joggers and bikers appreciate the paved paths, but the most popular aspect of this park proves the multiple ice cream carts that wheel around in warmer months.

Living in a neighborhood with active community organizations and excellent public schools does come at a hefty price. In fact, the cost of living in Albany Park sits about three percent higher than the Chicago average. However, the nearly 64 percent of renters in the neighborhood enjoy median rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment of around just $950. While that figure still remains quite a monthly investment, it makes the area almost twice as affordable as the Chicago average for the same amount of space. Other goods and services, such as groceries and health care, run similar to the Chicago average.

Even though Albany Park features numerous amenities, many of the small, local businesses lie within the restaurant or service industries. However, a few boutiques and specialty shops still compete with the national names.

Grisel's Bridal features wedding dresses, evening gowns, and formal wear. Men of all ages can find tuxedos to rent, and the shop meets other party needs as well, offering decorations for churches and meeting halls.

If you find yourself on Kedzie Avenue, stop at Andy's Fruit Ranch for a taste of Eastern European food products and produce. Locals love Andy's for the fantastic fruit selection and abundant offerings of deli meats and cheeses. Residents recommend sampling the best-in-town guacamole from the deli or the smoked mozzarella gnocchi.

In addition to visiting the Golden Garden Refugee Farmers Market, you can also order farm-to-table products from Angelic Organics. Locals appreciate the availability of crisp, fresh produce delivered to their doorsteps.