Streeterville - Chicago, IL

The neighborhood, just 450 feet east of Michigan Avenue, began as a sandbar on which George Wellington "Cap" Streeter and his wife ran their boat aground during a storm and decided to stay. Following the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, the area filled up with debris, and Streeter began renting out the land. The Michigan Avenue Bridge, built in 1921, led to rapid commercial development of the area, and by the 1960s, Streeterville topped Chicago's prime real estate market. The residential neighborhood consists primarily of apartment complexes, high-rise buildings and townhomes.

A few minutes from the neighborhood is the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Chicago Children's Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Outdoor activities, including annual art shows and twice-weekly fireworks at Navy Pier, are popular ways to while away the summer hours.

If you love fine dining and fabulous views of the city, Streeterville is the neighborhood for you. Just minutes from your home, The Signature Room at the 95th , high atop the John Hancock Center, offers a stunning 360-degree view of the city, seen through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The art deco interior with rich wood designs wraps you in a warm, inviting and intimate ambiance. The menu features small plates, such as seared crab cakes and Angus sliders. Large plates include tempting tastes such as a raw bar for two or an antipasti platter served with fresh, hot pretzel bread. They also have great vegetarian food, such as the Asiago cheese dip with spinach, artichokes, olive lavosh crisps, and Parmesan chips.

If Mediterranean fare is your bailiwick, you'll enjoy the Purple Pig on the Magnificent Mile. The restaurant features charcuterie and cheese made in-house. The menu features many choices such as pork fried almonds with rosemary and garlic, Manila clams, Wagyu sirloin tips, octopus with green beans, and turkey leg comfit.

For a casual weekend breakfast or lunch with friends or the kids, try the West Egg Cafe, a classic, family-friendly American diner established in 1988. Enjoy Greek, Italian, or Tex-Mex flavors and healthy breakfast options such as an egg white scramble with fresh mushrooms, spinach, and lean chicken topped with low-cholesterol cheese. That comes with a side of marinara.

For an inexpensive night out, take the kids to or meet friends at Timothy O'Toole's Pub and enjoy watching your favorite sports team, join the karaoke competition or celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day with other patrons. Munch on Irish nachos, soft pretzels or any other pub classic.

Thirty-three percent of Streeterville residents do not own automobiles, and nearly half walk to work, although public transportation, such as buses and the "L" train, readily serve the neighborhood and offer reasonably priced one-way fares with available monthly rate options. Many park-and-ride areas stow vehicles at little or no charge when you use CTA options.

Catching a cab or opting for Uber remains extremely efficient, and public parking is available from $10 to $48 due to the popularity and attractions in the area. You are only minutes away from U.S. Highway 41, North Lake Shore Drive. Bikers love this neighborhood, which offers wide lanes on either side of heavily trafficked streets as well as marked shared lanes.

The Seneca Playlot Park features two play areas and is heavily used by neighborhood families. The shaded walkways, green lawn and sculptures by local artists make this a popular destination for everyone.

The Lake Shore Park covers 5.79 acres and offers tennis courts, a quarter-mile soft surface running track, softball diamonds and a playground. The park also has an indoor gymnasium, a fitness center and meeting rooms. This park hosts an annual Juneteenth Festival, the Artists of the Wall Festival and the Mayfair Fest.

The parks are free to use, but pets are only allowed in designated dog-friendly areas where they may run, play and socialize off-leash. Dogs four-months and older must be registered with the Office of the City Clerk, which will then issue a permit for entering dog-friendly areas in the parks. The Streeterville neighborhood is only minutes from the Navy Pier with two additional parks that entertain families and visitors — the Jane Addams Memorial Park and the Milton Lee Olive Park.

The cost of living in Streeterville is 37 percent higher than the national average. Bus fare to downtown Chicago runs at approximately $2.00, and it's around $2.25 for the train. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is 97 percent higher than other neighborhoods in Illinois at an average cost of $1,900. Local pubs charge an average of $7 for draft, cans and local brews. The cost of gas in Streeterville compares favorably with the rest of the country.

Due to its proximity to The Magnificent Mile and Chicago's Gold Coast, high-end stores abound, including Saks, Nordstrom's and Bloomingdale's, as well as other chain stores such as Best Buy and Marshalls. The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Avenue is closest to Streeterville, and the mall hosts over 50 retail establishments, including Louis Vuitton and Wolford, numerous financial institutions, and 20 restaurants. The mall sprawls over six city blocks.

Ikram is an upscale boutique in the neighborhood that features an eclectic mixture of American, Japanese and European hand-selected clothing in addition to an art gallery featuring local artists, a farm-to-table cafe and specialty home goods, such as crystal ornaments.

Local markets such as Potash, a deli that also carries a variety of wines and beer, and City Groceries are great places to shop for essentials. Many chain groceries, such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, are close by. Numerous farmers markets near Streeterville make summer grilling a delight.