For anyone who is looking to buy a home in Chicago, the Lakewood Balmoral area is a must see. Lakewood Balmoral is located in the Edgewater community area of Chicago within walking distance of the shores of Lake Michigan. Covering just 63 acres, this quaint neighborhood is defined by Magnolia Avenue to the east, Wayne Avenue to the west, Foster Avenue to the south, and Bryn Mawr Avenue to the north and was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Chicago homes for sale within Lakewood Balmoral include a variety of styles that reflect the tradition and elegance of days gone by.

Lakewood Balmoral was originally intended as a middle class option for those who are looking to buy a home in Chicago. Middle class families who could not afford the larger lakefront mansions that are located less than half a mile to the east were drawn to the Lakewood Balmoral area. Over time, the majority of those mansions to the east were converted to high rises; however, the more moderately priced alternative homes found in the Lakewood Balmoral area have survived the test of time and are now highly sought after properties. As of 2012, the average price for a home in the Lakewood Balmoral area is about $615,000.

The Lakewood Balmoral neighborhood will transport you back about 100 years with its tree lined streets, traditional lampposts, and homes that appear virtually as they did in the early 1900s. Of course, most of these homes have been modernized, remodeled, and thoroughly updated on the inside but they appear just as they did when they were built over 100 years ago on the outside. One of the attractions for many buyers is the variation of styles found in Lakewood Balmoral. Unlike newer developments where the homes all follow the same basic design, Chicago homes for sale within the Lakewood Balmoral area are as distinct and individual as their original owners were.

For families with young children, the Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies offers K-8 graders an enriched curriculum. Although there are no expressways close to Lakewood Balmoral, the CTA Red Line does service the area with various stops throughout the neighborhood. Also within the Lakewood Balmoral neighborhood can be found an eclectic mix of coffee shops, retro eateries, and small specialty markets that add to the historic feel of the area. A kid friendly park, known as Bromann Park, offers families and children a place to play and gather within the neighborhood.

If tranquility, tradition, and charm are at the top of your list of “must-haves” in your search for Chicago homes for sale then take a tour of Lakewood Balmoral. To ensure a smooth home buying experience, it might be a good idea to turn to an experienced Chicago real estate agent who is familiar with the area. Having a real estate professional guide you through the process of buying a home can definitely make all the difference.