Chicago winters are no joke. And with the temperatures dropping and the polar vortexes looming, if you live here you better ready to settle in for the winter. New transplant to the Windy City? Have no fear - our experienced agents are not only knowledgeable about the Chicago real estate scene, but also about living in the city itself - including how to survive our winters.

Moreover, if you are planning on moving to Chicago, don't be afraid of the cold! It's really not that bad, and if you follow the tips below, you may even surprise yourself by enjoying the winter months.

1. Stick to the Pedway. Whenever possible, simply stay out of the wintry elements during your daily routine. Residents of Lakeshore East and similar downtown condos have the

Tis the season for gifts of all kinds, from the fun and somewhat frivolous stocking stuffers to the big ticket items that make the holiday season so memorable. However, there is one kind of gift that is not only wonderful to give or receive, it can be downright life changing! That's right - we're talking about a gift of Chicago real estate.

After all, a gift of real estate can be life changing - whether it is an amazing vacation spot or second home, an amazing new place to live, or an investment property, or virtually anything else. For parents, it is a way to help your kids start off adulthood or parenthood on the right foot, a way to thank your own parents for all that they've done for you,  or it can be a great gift to yourself and your partner.

There are so many reasons we love living in downtown Chicago - and like all Windy City residents, we have a lot to be thankful for. And not just in the real estate realm (although we are thrilled about the many opportunities in the Chicago market). Here are the top eight reasons we love living in downtown Chicago.

1. The Skyline and the City Lights. Yes, we're cheating a bit by naming two things with one item, but they really go hand in hand. Chicago at night is absolutely magical, especially during the holidays when city is lit up with decorations (literally).

2. Chicago's Dining Scene. Not only do we have some of the best restaurants in the world, we are also home to some of the world's finest grocery stores and we have a wide variety of

The kids are out of the house, off to college and their first apartments or condos, living on their own. Which means that you might be ready to make the change to a smaller, more refined living space in a more cosmopolitan neighborhood. After all, there's no need for a suburban sprawl or multiple bedrooms once your children are adults - so it might be the right time to treat yourself to a more luxurious, high end property in your ideal location. You've earned it! And naturally, as some of Chicago's leading real estate agents, we have some suggestions about where your next home should be situated and what kind of properties you should be considering.

Reward Yourself For All Your Hard Work

After all, once you've "made it" and worked hard and

Chicago - a.k.a. Chi-beria, at least during the months of December, January, and February - is generally not considered the most fun place to be during the winter months. And really, no one likes dealing with icy roads, shoveling snow, and all the other inconveniences of winter. However, there are plenty of reasons why Chicago is a wonderful place to be during the colder seasons - and here are our top ten aspects of why being in Chicago during the winter is absolutely awesome.

1. Christkindlmarkt - The German-style Christmas market in the Daley Plaza is an incredible winter experience even if you don't personally celebrate Christmas or any related holidays. Delicious food and remarkable crafts, plus the experience of seeing the trees all lit up in

While winter in Chicago is indeed cold and can be unforgiving, there are a lot of things to love about the city in the winter - including how amazing the holiday season is in the Windy City. Here are some of our favorite things about the holidays in Chicago...and of course, if you are interested in experiencing the holidays in the Second City for yourself as a homeowner, contact us today!

1. Christkindlmarkt in Daley Plaza and other markets in downtown Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods are some of the most fun ways to find unique gifts and experience how other cultures celebrate the holidays - and Chicago

2. The Bulls and Blackhawks are both in season, and both teams should be excellent this year. So cheer them on and support your

The concept of luxury has been so overused that it has practically lost all meaning, particularly in regard to high end real estate. Depending on who you ask and what they are offering, a "luxury property" can mean anything from a condo in a building that has a gym and a doorman all the way up to a multi-million dollar plus listing that includes ultra high end finishes, customized floor plans, and amenities like private wine cellars, indoor and outdoor pools, and much, much more.

However, at the end of the day, you're the only one who can define luxury for yourself (but your real estate agent can help).

That said, there are some key elements that you may want to consider, especially if you're looking at investment properties or considering the

October and November are of the most wonderful months to live in Chicago - not only is there beautiful scenery as the leaves change, there are plenty of special events, festivals, and holiday celebrations.

Current residents and visitors and can start by checking out Choose Chicago's official events calendar, where you can see what is happening each day of October and beyond.

Starting in the middle of October, there are Halloween celebrations for all ages, from Lincoln Park Zoo's "Boo! At The Zoo" to adults-only Halloween parties. The Haunted River tour can be a great neutral ground - it is a bit scary, but not too much for kids (and still fun for adults!). The greater Chicagoland area is home to plenty of other haunted houses, corn mazes,

Living in downtown Chicago means that you get to experience a lot of energy and plenty of hustle and bustle - it's all part of big city life (and why we love living here). However, being exposed to all the vibrant energy can lead to the need to recharge, so making sure that your condo or downtown home offers plenty of opportunities to relax will make it a real sanctuary. And here's how...

Step 1: Find Your Ideal Relaxation Activity
Finding the right self-care technique or activity is key to unwinding and recharging. It also helps to determine where you should design your relaxation space. If you enjoy reading or other activities like it, your relaxation space should be a quiet area of the home away from high traffic and energetic spaces (i.e. living

We know that living in Chicago is pretty spectacular in general, your friends and family might not necessarily understand how awesome it is if they don't live here too/ While residents and property owners don't always get a chance (or have the time) to play tourist in their own city, having out-of-town guests can be a great excuse to check out the sights and see things from a new perspective. Because let's face it, even the towering skyscrapers, amazing architecture, and world class restaurants can be easily overlooked or taken for granted if you see them every day.

Here's how our real estate agents like to entertain and explore with their guests...

1. Check out the view from the River. The architecture tours are a classic, but even a stroll on