Sunday, October 12, 2008

Bowmanville Chicago offers Opportunity for the Move Up Buyer

Single family homes are the way to go in this market. There is opportunity for the first time buyer and move-up buyer to afford a house they could not buy just two years ago. If a single family home is a stretch, townhomes and three bedroom condos are reasonable on the North Side.

I've spent a lot of time viewing single family homes and townhomes lately in the Bowmanville neighborhood. A long-time, but little known by name "sub-neighborhood" of Lincoln Square, Bowmanville has emerged on as a destination for high quality living spaces and surprising proximity to amenities. Travel north down Damen Avenue just past West Foster to the heart of a Bowmanville. The historic boundaries include Rosehill Cemetary to the the North, West Foster Avenue to the South, North Ravenswood to the East (or stretch to North Ashland for the eastern border) and North Western Avenue to the West.

This central location provides a short walk to Andersonville, Ravenswood and Lincoln Square shops and restaurants without the premium prices asked in these neighborhoods. The Ravenswood Metra Station located nearby zooms you downtown or the burbs ... in minutes. The Damen Avenue Brown Line stop is close by for your everyday commuter needs around the entire north side and Chicago's Loop.
For the Chicago dweller, the neighborhood as it is "now" is what matters. But ChicagoBungalow.org has this to add on the history of Bowmanville: "Bowmanville was established in 1850 by Jesse Bowman. Although his claim to the land was later found to be illegal, it did not prevent the area from becoming a bustling settlement. The area became a stopping point for farmers delivering there goods to markets in Chicago. Numerous saloons and taverns sprang up, among them an establishment owned by Hiram Roe, locate on Roe's Hill. The name of the area was later misspelled Row's Hill and Rose Hill, which became the name of the train depot in the community. The name eventually became Rosehill, as it stands now in the name of the burial ground- Rosehill Cemetary."

Of course today, high quality new construction homes offer size and luxury surrounded by tree lined streets- while built to suit the historic feel of the neighborhood. Three, six and eight flat buildings provide hip, totally rehabbed condos in two and three bedroom layouts. The converted buildings retain famous Chicago architectural details. No high-rise buildings here. For the professional looking for nightlife at hot restaurants and bars such as Big Joe's, The Hop Leaf and the classic Fireside Grill, to the the established or growing family looking to be among city life with a mature spin, Bowmanville warrants a look. I'll see you at Pauline's for brunch, or maybe on the outdoor patio at Joie de Vine...
New construction single family homes start in the $800,000 range with gut renovated homes starting in the low $500,000 range for a re-sale home.

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