Named after Chicago’s famous Wrigley Field, this north side neighborhood is packed with energy, especially when the Cubs are in town. All summer long the streets are filled with local fans and out-of-towners dressed in jeans, Cubs t’s and baseball caps who flock to the field in support of their favorite baseball team. Stop by before or after a game and you’ll swear you’re walking through a giant street fair.

Despite its bustling streets with constant traffic jams and limited parking (most lots are reserved for Cubs games), Wrigleyville remains one of Chicago’s most popular residential neighborhoods. You can bet that many of its inhabitants are under the age of 30, but there are also plenty of families that live here. As you may have guessed, one of the biggest perks to owning a home in Wrigleyville is its close proximity to the field. On game days, locals barely have to leave the house to get to the bleachers.

One of the smartest things to do, especially while visiting on game days, is to seek dining advice from Wrigleyville locals, as the ballpark food has earned a reputation as some of the worst in the Major Leagues. Do yourself a favor and head to one of the neighborhood’s independent eateries instead. You’ll have to wait in line for a while, especially if you head to the popular Uncommon Ground, but you won’t care once you’re noshing on the restaurants signature sweet potato fries and prairie mac n’ cheese. If a greasy breakfast plate or pancake stacks are more your style, move it a few blocks south to Salt and Pepper Diner.

There are plenty of dining spots ranging from cheap joints to casual elegance, but Wrigleyville really shines when it comes to local watering holes. This Chicago neighborhood has almost as many pubs as it does housing and they are always jam-packed. Locals who aren’t so interested in the shoulder-to-shoulder atmosphere of the fans’ favorite bars, tend to head farther north where the bars are still bustling, but slightly less crowded.

Many residents of Wrigleyville feel like they’re living the American Dream—the neighborhood is, after all, home to our country’s favorite pastime. In fact, you can even find a few white picket fences surrounding some of the single-family detached homes. But most of the housing in this neighborhood consists of mid-rise buildings (some complete with rooftop bleachers for watching the Cubs play), modern condos and a few charming brownstones. A one or two bedroom will cost you around $370,000, but if you’ve got the time to scavenge high and low, you very well may find a place under $200,000. The more lavish condos jump in price to $650,000 or more and detached single-family homes are well over a million.

Chicago neighborhood and real estate information