Avondale

Avondale

2854 N. Western Ave.
3,300 square feet
List price: $499,999

Photo: VHT Studios

Good for: City dwellers who crave a spacious interior and a little land

At around $150 a square foot, houses near the Blue Line—like this shiny five-bedroom recent gut reno with four bathrooms and a two-car garage—are Wicker Park on the cheap.

 

Barrington

Barrington

210 Whitney Dr.
2,600 square feet
List price: $535,000

Photo: VHT Studios

Good for: Commuters seeking calm near a lively downtown

In this northwest burb, a half mil can land anything from fussy Victorians to modern McMansions like this one, which has four bedrooms and a supersize deck.

 

La Grange

La Grange

717 S. Stone Ave.
1,197 square feet
List price: $459,000

Photo: Positive Image

Good for: Foodie families who want easy access to the Loop

This revamped 1970 three-bedroom ranch, like the dozens of ramblers in south La Grange, is biking distance from inventive restaurants, boutique shopping, and two Metra stations.

 

Lake View

Lake View

340 W. Diversey Pkwy.
1,100 square feet
List price: $475,000

Photo: Positive Image

Good for: Architecture buffs angling for a room with a view

Even on the border of Lincoln Park, a reasonable amount of dough can score a lot of Mies van der Rohe, such as this two-bedroom 28th-floor penthouse with floor-to-ceiling windows in every room.