Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S. Over 2.7 million people live in Chicago proper, while the Chicago metropolitan area is home to more than 9.5 million. The Windy City has several different LGBT-friendly neighborhoods.
Chicago is home to Boystown, the first officially recognized gay community in the U.S. It’s often listed as one of the best gay neighborhoods in the world. The area, which is actually called East Lakeview, sits on the edge of Lake Michigan. Homes in Boystown start at around $168,000 and can be as much as half a million dollars. There are many more condos, penthouses, and apartments in the area, and they can be priced at anywhere from $165,000 to $1 million.
Andersonville is an ethnic neighborhood that was traditionally home to a large Swedish population. Over time, though, it transformed into a large gay and lesbian area. The main street of the neighborhood is Clark Street, which features a number of clubs, boutiques, and other stores. Homes in Andersonville start out at $138,000 and top off at $1.3 million.
Finally, while there are no houses in the area, it’s worth mentioning that Chicago has an LGBT beach: Hollywood Beach, which is just a 15 minute walk from Andersonville.
