Who wouldn’t want to live in a neighborhood that big shots Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe once frequented? These infamous stars used to hang out at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, which can still be found today in the Sheridan-Foster area. In addition to its terrific history, Edgewater boasts the fifth highest concentration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered couples in the entire country. But the diverse mix of residents doesn’t stop there, you’ll also find plenty of families and singles in this Chicago neighborhood.

Commuting a mere ten miles to the Loop is nothing for Edgewater residents, who benefit from a network of convenient bus stops throughout the neighborhood and four Red Line CTA train stations spread along Broadway Avenue. Lake Shore Drive provides an easy route to downtown for those with a car, and if biking is your transportation of choice, the 20-mile long Lakefront Bike Trail cuts right through the community’s eastern edge. This waterfront neighborhood offers some of the best lake views in all of Chicago. Rows of mid-rise residential buildings line the lake, and off-shore properties consist of renovated apartment buildings and condos. The more lavish real estate tend to breach the millions, while one or two bedroom condos can sell for as low as $100,000. Single-family homes can cost anywhere from $400,000 to $800,000.

With pockets of commercial zones and outdoor recreational hotspots, there’s never a shortage of fun-filled activities in the Edgewater area. Foster Beach, at the neighborhood’s southern tip, offers bike rentals, tennis and basketball courts. There’s also a beach house concession where you can fuel up on deli sandwiches and classic sodas while kicking it on the sand. Another lakeside destination is Hollywood Beach (also referred to as the Kathy Osterman Beach). It’s popular with the local GLBT community and hosts scheduled “Movies in the Park” from June to September.

After catching an outdoor flick, check out some of Edgewater’s local eateries. Whether you’re in the mood for South American, Japanese, Thai or Ethiopian, you’ll find it in this eclectic Chicago neighborhood. The shopping is also something of a mix with its antique markets, used book shops, like Kate the Great’s Book Emporium and Paper Trail, which stocks every product of the tree from stationary to photo albums.

Aside from its sandy beaches, Edgewater also has sixteen non-lakefront parks including Mellin Playlot Park, Emmerson Park and Broadway Armory Park. These lots offer everything from year-round fieldhouse activities to outdoor volleyball and basketball courts. Broadway Armory Park even has a rock climbing wall and an indoor trapeze. The Billy Goat Experimental theatre Company also hosts shows here, so you can extend your fun-filled day well into the evening.