One of the many things we love about living in Chicago is how we combine all-American Midwestern charm with a global mentality and cosmopolitan lifestyle. And of course, the amazing real estate opportunities certainly don't hurt either! Here are some of the reasons that Chicago is one of the jewels in the United States' multi-cultural crown.

Two Major Airports (And Many Other Options)

Of course, Chicago is served by O'Hare (one of the world's busiest!) and Midway airports, which connect the city with the rest of the world. Plus there are a number of regional airports within a short drive, along with Union Station if you'd prefer to reach the rest of the U.S. by train.

International Affairs

Chicago is the diplomatic hub of the Midwest, with

Imagine having all the space of a single family home in the suburbs, but the city at your front door? The Park at Lakeshore East and the Maggie Daley Park would be your front and backyards, and you'll be only steps from all the entertainment, dining, and culture that downtown Chicago has to offer.

The opportunity to buy and live in a sunlit corner townhome in Lakeshore East is a once in a lifetime chance. With three bedrooms, four and a half baths, a private two car garage, two balconies, and three levels of gracious living space (plus a rooftop deck with 360 degree views), this is one of the true gems on the Chicago real estate market right now.

The address is 401 East Benton Place #401, and we'd be happy to give you a tour.

Just look

There's nothing like summertime in Chicago, and we don't necessarily wait for it to be officially summer to start enjoying the season! Chicago residents know that as soon as the snow melts and the sun comes out, we're all out and about and enjoying the warm(er) weather. So accordingly, here are eight things we're excited about this spring!

1. Opening Day! Whether you are a Cubs or White Sox fan (or just a baseball fan in general), there's nothing like the excitement of opening day at Wrigley or Sox Park. Baseball is back, and with it the many unique traditions. And hey, maybe the Cubs will win another one (who ever thought we'd be typing that?) or the White Sox will get another title for the South Side.

2. Getting Our Exercise Outdoors: When

Getting an amazing education is one of the most important endeavors that anyone can embark upon, and we're proud to say that Chicago is one of the best places in the world to study. Whether you are interested in a Bachelor's, a masters, a PhD, medical school, law school, or studying the fine arts, Chicago could be the place for you - or your kid! The city is one of the best places for international students as well - cosmopolitan but also offering the best of American life, and it is basically located in the center of the country, making it the ideal base for exploring the rest of the United States.

Here's a full list of the colleges and universities in Chicago and we've chosen some highlights below.

University of Chicago - One of the best

Patrick's Day is this Saturday, and that's a holiday that Chicago certainly does well (in fact, we might be the best in the United States). It's all about the parades, the celebrations of the Irish heritage, and of course, dying the Chicago River green. However, the holiday is also about the supposed luck of the Irish - but you definitely don't have to be Irish yourself to appreciate how lucky you are to live in Chicago. Here are are some of the reasons that we feel lucky that we live and work in Chicago...

The Architecture. Chicago is known for its complex and beautiful architecture that runs the gamut from classic Art Deco and Prairie School styles to more modern Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies Van Der Rohe buildings to Lucien LaGrange's

We love Chicago - the architecture, the parks, the many amazing restaurants, the art and culture scene, and of course, the real estate. But the one thing we love the most? The many opportunities the city offers to give back. From volunteering to tutor school children, working in a soup kitchen, or simply taking an afternoon to help socialize the kittens and puppies at one of our animal shelters, Chicagoans have plenty of chances to spend time contributing to the community.

Want to help out? Volunteer Match lists over one thousand opportunities in Chicago, so there's bound to be something you're interested in. Or get little more local with ChicagoCares (you don't have the time but still want to help out, there's a donate option on the ChicagoCares

Now that the winter is waning and the sun is coming back out, it's time for a refresh! Whether that means its time for an interior design update, a thorough spring cleaning, or perhaps even time to sell your place and/or look for a new one, spring means it's time to start everything fresh.

And wouldn't it be lovely to have a refreshingly new place to live for the new season? If you're not ready to buy something new, consider using a local cleaning service for a deep clean and organization - it might make your current home feel positively different, and if you're considering selling, it's a good way to get ready for the staging, open houses, and visits from potential buyers that are coming up. And perhaps it's time for a design refresh as well! New

One of the many reasons we love living in Chicago is the fact that nearly everything downtown is closely connected and pretty easy to get to - even in the winter or stormy weather! In fact, if you're lucky enough to live or work in a building connected to the Pedway, you can access many of the things you need - or just want - without ever having to go outside.

What's more, many of the buildings in our favorite neighborhood - Lakeshore East - are connected directly to the Pedway. And since it covers almost forty city blocks and connects over fifty buildings in the Loop and Lakeshore East, you can cover a ton of ground without having to deal with any kind of inclement weather, which is a major bonus during the winter. And it connects to the Metra

One of the best things about Chicago is how we celebrate...basically everything! But the lunar new year - or Chinese New Year - is particularly special, and not just in Chinatown. That said, the parade there is pretty amazing, and we love seeing it - and all the colorful pictures - every year. And it's especially amazing to be living in a city that has multiple Spring Festival parades!

Chicago has one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, but the celebration extends throughout the city with events at Navy Pier, the Chicago Symphony Center, the Art Institute, and more. The Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is one of the most popular Chinese holidays, and it's meant to honor one's ancestors and kick off the new year, and much of it is centered

If you've never lived in a full amenity building, then you might not fully understand how all the amenities come together to create an amazing lifestyle for the residents. However, once you have experienced the many positives that come with living in a luxury high rise (especially one in downtown Chicago), you might never want to live anywhere else again.
And that's because living somewhere with not only a state of the art fitness center in the building, but a party room, wine cellar, business center, outdoor deck(s), a pool (or maybe multiple pools), and grocery stores and a plethora of restaurants nearby might be the ultimate luxury lifestyle. When you have everything you need in your building (or extremely close by), why would you lift a finger?