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

If you live in or are considering moving to Chicago, you know that it is indeed a city of neighborhoods - each with their own vibrant communities and unique characteristics. However, there is something to be said for living in the center of it all - and aren't real estate decisions and value mostly based on location?

So while it may lack the trendy of-the-minute cachet of some neighborhoods further from the center, living and/or investing in the Loop and nearby areas is definitely something to consider, especially if you work downtown.

Here are ten reasons why your next real estate move should be towards the Loop and Chicago's downtown neighborhoods...

 1. The central location means that you're only a quick drive, taxi, Uber, Lyft, train, or

Rendering of 363 East Wacker Drive #2907 (Vista)

While living in the suburbs or the outskirts of Chicago may be much more relaxing than the hustle and bustle of the city, nothing is the same as enjoying the energy of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods - particularly if you have your own pied-à-terre or second home to enjoy it all without having to travel home to the suburbs or further.

Whether you work in Loop or nearby, or simply want a home base in the heart of the Windy City, finding a cozy pied-à-terre with amazing views of the skyline, Chicago River, and Lake Michigan can be easier said than done. Naturally, you desire all the comforts of home, but you also want the convenience of a compact condo that's near everything from the

There are a lot of special homes in Chicago in general, and Lakeshore East in particular. However, this particular listing - #4702 at 340 East Randolph - really stands out. With some of the most desirable views in the city, this 2 bed, 2.1 bath condo is located in the city's most comfortable and convenient community. With restaurants, grocery stores, and the Loop all right next door and only an elevator away, this listing might be the best choice in downtown Chicago. You'd be able to walk to work and avoid driving in the snow - or all together!

Plus the views can't be topped!

Wouldn't you love to call this home? Get in touch with our real estate team today!

If you are a recent Chicago transplant or planning on moving here soon, it can be daunting to figure out what the best sources of information on activities and entertainment, local and hyperlocal news, and generally what is going on the city. So if you want to live like a true local - and quickly - these are some of our real estate team's favorite sites to check out.

But first, are you looking at Chicago condo or other real estate options? Contact our agents today!

DNAInfoChicago: This site covers all things Chicago-related, from local news and sports to various restaurant openings, entertainment options, and various other info that is useful to current and future residents.

TimeOutChicago: The Chicago edition of this international magazine

We know that living in dorms or in cramped apartments is pretty standard for college students, but some of them (the lucky ones) are choosing to skip the dorms and live in investment properties instead courtesy of their parents, grandparents, or other relatives. Or sometimes the student makes the condo purchase themselves - this is particularly likely in the case of grad students or adults going back to school to make a career change.

In our opinion, it is a nice move if you can swing it. Not only will the student get to live somewhere that's likely more comfortable, private, and spacious than a dorm room, the family will reap the benefits of their real estate investment in the future. That said, it is important to remember that the student

Fall is one of the most wonderful times to live in Chicago - not only is there beautiful scenery as the leaves change, there are plenty of special events, festivals, and big games to follow. Football, hockey, and basketball are starting and baseball playoff season is heating up!

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

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 horrific, but not too much for most kids (and still fun for adults!). The greater Chicagoland area is home to plenty of other

We love living in Chicago, especially during the summertime. That said, even the greatest city in the world doesn't have everything - and sometimes you just need a vacation somewhere totally different from your day-to-day life. Which is why Chicagoans are so lucky when it comes to planning weekend getaways or longer excursions!

Country Time. Head out of the city and into Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana or rural Illinois to experience a slower pace, rolling green fields, local farmer's markets, and actual farms themselves.

Different Views. As much as we love our city, sometimes it's nice to check out other destinations - if only because we appreciate Chicago that much more when we get home! Madison, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Indianapolis are all short

We might be a little bit biased, but we think that Chicago is one of the best sports cities in the world. With two world class baseball teams as well as football, basketball, hockey, and soccer teams that regularly make the playoffs, we're incredibly lucky when it comes to professional sports. In fact, we're only of only ten major U.S. cities that have five major professional sports teams - the Bears, the Cubs, the White Sox, the Bulls, and the Blackhawks. Plus we have an up and coming soccer team, the Chicago Fire!

What's more, if you're a dedicated amateur or just love watching your fellow locals compete, there's everything from softball and volleyball leagues in the summer to hockey leagues in the winter, along with plenty of gyms devoted

Getting an amazing education is one of the most important, enriching, and valuable endeavors that anyone can embark upon, and Chicago is one of the best places to do that - no matter where you live now! In our humble opinion, it's more than worth moving to our beautiful city 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. 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 best colleges and universities in