Harked as the largest Catholic University in the states, not only has DePaul helped keep the Lincoln Park neighborhood full of energy, but it has turned into a charming little Chicago subdivision of its own. Located in the larger Lincoln Park neighborhood, just east of the university’s campus, DePaul’s small residential space of ten square blocks between Diversey and Fullerton adds to its quaint appeal.

While Lincoln Park’s countless culinary gems overshadow most of DePaul’s minimal dining scene, it is home to a few tasty eateries. The most popular among those is Chef David Richard’s Sweets and Savories. Locals from every Chicago neighborhood flock to this restaurant for authentic French dishes and they always save room for Chef Richard’s decadent desserts.

DePaul’s streets may not be rampant with restaurants, but there’s always something going on at night, thanks to its energetic population of students. When these young scholars aren’t studying, they’re probably kickin’ back with a cold one at the Southport City Saloon. Music fiends can usually be found catching a live show at the Birds Nest bar, which also offers daily drink and food specials.

If it weren’t for such a diverse body of students, the university’s surrounding streets may never have seen the likes of so many coffee houses, bookstores and intellectual hot-spots. Students and professors of DePaul can often be found rubbing shoulders at the Bourgeois Pig, one of the neighborhood’s European-themed coffee shops. Just around the corner from this academic melting pot are the Children’s Memorial Hospital and associated White Elephant thrift shop.

In addition to the buses that run along both of DePaul’s major streets (Diversey and Fullerton), the Brown Line and the Red Line CTA stations are just a few blocks east. Public transportation is convenient for commuting to work and traveling beyond neighborhood borders, but DePaul is so condensed that most locals stick to foot traffic when on the home front. And with Lincoln Park just a few steps away, there’s hardly reason to leave the area.

Housing in this neighborhood is strikingly similar to that of Lincoln Park, in architecture and value. The streets are lined with many elegant aging trees, wrought iron fences and intricate landscaped patios. You’ll find an interesting mix of newly built condos and vintage stone and redbrick walk-ups. Most of the brick buildings were installed shortly after the Great Fire of 1871.

Next to its sister neighborhood, DePaul is one of Chicago’s most coveted areas for real estate. One and two bedroom condos with parking spaces start around three hundred thousand—and that’s a bargain, while a three bedroom unit with garage parking doubles the price to the six and seven-hundred thousands. And then there’s the stunning three- and four-story townhomes that hit the multimillion-dollar range.