Starting New Made My Sweet Home Chicago

I have been living in the city now for over 12 years. Having come to the city from a lifetime of suburban living was a huge adjustment. I thought I would have a hard time, and at first I did. My two kids were in college and I was truly on my own for the first time in my life. I had moved into a congested area with my suburban overload of things and my car. I was a renter in the Lakeview neighborhood which I chose because my sister and brother-in-law lived only a couple blocks away. I had to have a safety net of sorts! I didn’t know the area and I found out that I was quite a bit older than the other residents of my building. I felt a little bit like a house-mom from my old sorority days. I also had no idea about the logistics of owning a car in the city. I didn’t rent a parking space for my car. I had no idea what a challenge that would represent! However, being a smart woman, the lesson was learned quickly. Having had a car of my own for over 25 years, I could see that this would be my next great change. I gave up my car and began riding the city busses. What freedom! On a bus I could go anywhere, anytime with only my CTA card in hand. I began to work in the loop, an adventure of its own. I also decided to change things up a bit in my commute. Some nights I’d stop off at the Water Tower shopping mall on my way home, grab a goody or two and then hop back on the bus (for a tiny transfer fee) and ride home. I got to know the city much better. I found most people to be quite pleasant and I looked for a new stop every week. I challenged myself to find one new thing about the city every day. Some days it was just a sandwich shop I never noticed before. Other days I discovered small jewels like a farmer’s market or the lagoon in Lincoln Park. In the winter my ride had to be through Lincoln Park and the Zoo to see the holiday lights and decorations. I walked the neighborhood and found gorgeous single family homes, row homes and interesting condo buildings. The vintage buildings really appealed to me. Walking became my favorite weekend past time. I often walked from Lakeview to Lincoln Park and beyond. I loved peaking into the Marlborough at 400 W Deming with its beautiful vintage charm. I was entranced by the Benjamin Marshall building at 1550 N State. I can still not think of a more beautiful building in the city! The inkling of a new career was just at the fringe of my plans.
As time past and my life as a city dweller became so natural and exciting I realized that change is my friend. I’ve made many changes over the past 12 years. I’ve remarried and moved to the Gold Coast then to Streeterville and then back to the Gold Coast. I have become a successful real estate agent. I have once again become a car owner, but this time I have a garage space and parking karma! Being a real estate agent has forced me to become adept at finding my way around the city, the neighborhoods and take advantage of the public transportation system in all kinds of ways. I love the neighborhoods and all their character. I love the restaurant offerings, especially some of the great ethnic foods I never heard of when I lived in the burbs. I love all of the different styles of architecture. I love the window shopping and the real shopping! But most of all, I love the people. Chicago is a big, warm, beautiful city even in the coldest of winter days. I am a city girl and I can reinvent my world and love it!

You Have To Start Somewhere

I started the day with the best of intentions. It is Tuesday. Tuesday is broker's open house day. I really enjoy getting out there and looking at the newest listings in my neighborhood. That would be the Gold Coast, River North and Streeterville area. I pulled up the offerings and found 10 that I was excited about. In this market, 10 is easy! I decided to skip the new construction this week. I've seen most of it already. So, it was going to be resale day. I was most excited about two listings at 1550 N State Parkway, a building I think is really special. These are pretty high end, luxury condos. Both priced over the $2Mil mark. Phew! Pretty pricey, but what a building, what a location! I was really looking forward to seeing them. I also chose a couple of other listings on North State Parkway and Astor that were of various sizes and prices. I scouted out my route and made my schedule. Then, best intentions in hand, my phone rang.
You know that sound in someone's voice when they tell you they need you and they mean it? Well, my mommy ears were tuned up when I heard my daughter say, "Mom, I need you to come over. I am so sick". So, there went the open house tour. I'm off to nurse my poor kid who has caught the stomach flu. You have to start somewhere...but not today!