Private entrance apartment on the 2nd floor of this historic bungalow. Free street parking! Medicinal & recreational smokers permitted... outdoor ONLY. This comfortably cozy quiet get-away is nestled in NW Portage Park in a family neighborhood. Dog and kids park nearby. Fenced yard for Fido. Backyard patio w/ BBQ grill. High-speed internet. Front porch swing Easy access to buses & Jefferson Park Transit train station to Downtown & Museum Campus NO PARTIES Must be 25 to rent. Private apartment. Please note that the advertised fee on this site is for the first couple. There is an additional fee per guest per night. Now, on to the information about the place: Living Room: Ultra-thick queen futon with pillow top addition upon request. Room for two more queen or twin airbeds. Huge 55” TV with gaming capability. “Old school” visitors can use a turntable with vinyl albums, board games & real books. Window a/c and floor fan Master Bedroom: Beautiful cherry queen sleigh-bed with a memory-foam mattress and an optional pillow topper. Shoe bench, chair, full dresser and luggage stand . Off the bedroom is a small business center/dressing room and a small walk-in closet. This is an ideal space for a port-a-crib. I have one - no cost if you want to use it-but you have to supply your own baby linens. A queen airbed can fit in the business center room-wall to wall if we move the desk and chairs and a twin fits easily, as well. Window a/c and window fan Second Bedroom: Pillow-topped mattress full size bed with a twin trundle. A bedside table & lamp. Off this cozy room is a small walk-in closet with a luggage rack, a makeup table with mirror, an antique desk (kids love this). A shoe/boot bench holds your linens. Built in drawers. Window a/c and ceiling fan Full kitchen: Plenty of seating with a multiple leaf table on wheels. This room has many usb ports, a full-size fridge (with ice cube trays), a microwave, a floating counter with swivel stools and a full-size gas stove with oven. Loads of cooking utensils, pots, pans, toaster, waffle maker, electric wok, hand blender, mixing bowls, casserole dishes and more. And if you need something that isn't there, just ask me for it since I probably have it in my kitchen downstairs. Window a/c Full Bathroom: Beautiful and brand-spanking new! Fully-tiled bathroom with walk-in shower. Heated floor. Toiletries provided. 24-hour property security including monitored fire and carbon detectors on every floor. I live on the first floor of this bungalow with a basement apartment tenant I call Basement Jim. Your apartment is on the second floor. The exterior front door has a smart lock. I will give you your personal code when you arrive. The apartment door has a key. Feel free to the use front porch during your stay. Smoking is allowed on the porch and in the backyard patio. Smoking medicinal and recreational marijuana is permitted on the property but only outside, please. Also please empty your ashtrays and throw out your porch and patio trash. The fenced-in backyard is ideal for the dog but so is the neighborhood. People walk their dogs all hours of the day and night. We have the super bright LED street lights. The backyard is a work in progress with a patio, a puny grassy yard, a deck, 2 tables, chairs & a gas grill. And maybe flowers. Maybe. Working on it. And if your dog uses the backyard, please pick up the poop and put it in the black trash can. Thanks. I live on the first floor. I have a landline and a cell phone. I can be reached by one or the other. Schedule permitting, I will do my best to greet you upon arrival and show you around. These old houses have some light switches in weird places. Wanna be left alone? Fine by me. I have plenty to do. Want company? Just ask, as I adore making new friends and hanging out. I know stuff about the history of Chicago...if you're interested. My goal? To ensure that your stay is EXACTLY what you hoped and anticipated filled with happy moments and memories. The home is in a quiet neighborhood in the middle of the block surrounded by a diversity of neighbors and beautiful century old Chicago bungalows. There are only 2 legitimate Bungalow Belts and this home is in one of them. Take a walk while here as they are so fun to look at their uniqueness and similarities. It seems my neighbors are all hard-working families. I have enjoyed meeting many of them in my short time here. It pays to have a porch! I have put together a guide for your stay that lists everything nearby: drug stores, specialty shops, churches, hospitals, playgrounds, costume stores and more and all within a 2-mile radius. Chicago’s history is so fascinating and Portage Park plays a part in its early history. Wanna know more? That’s why porch swings were invented…for good storytelling. Just ask. I know loads about Chicago’s fascinating history. This place BTW is conveniently located in-between all the major highways so my place is a snap to find and drive to from any direction. There is loads of traffic It's Chicago. Would you rather get picked up and dropped off? Basement Jim (lives in the basement apartment) gives rides to my guests. Once booked, I will connect you two to make arrangements. Uber and Lift are also easy and everywhere and our public transportation is right around the corner, literally. I am not far from Wrigley Field; about 5 miles. Far enough away that you're not bothered by all the craziness but close enough to get to easily. I have many Chicago reference books in the BnB and maps available. You can walk two blocks in either direction for main Chicago street arteries running east and west with city Pace bus stops. You can walk half a block west for north and south city Pace bus lines. The bus stop nearest my home takes you directly to the Jefferson Transit Center. Our local trains, is also called The El (elevated). They are colored coded. The Blue Line is the train you would catch to accesses everything that is fun in downtown Chicago. 1.7 miles to Jefferson Transit Blue line station or 2.4 miles to Irving Park Blue line station; BTW that’s the O’Hare airport train, too. Uber is about 15 minutes to O’Hare, depending on traffic and the time of day, of course. Metra Trains: 2.1 miles to Mayfair Station or 1.9 mls. to Grayland Station: (MD N) Milwaukee District N Metra train. Easy access south into downtown Chicago or take a ride north to gorgeous Fox Lake for the day. 2.5 miles to Irving Park Station: Union Pacific Northwest (UP NW) Takes you right into Union Station. 6.2 miles Ravenswood Train: Union Pacific North to Kenosha O’Hare is 7.6 miles and about a 15-minute drive. Midway is 19.5 miles on the highway but if you take the streets, it’s 13.5 miles. The street way is super simple directions because the airport is directly south of here. The internet maps say that it takes 30 minutes on the highway and the side streets takes about 40 minutes. All guests & any of their visitors must comply with all the HOUSE RULES Must be 25+ years to rent. If you are younger have your parents contact me as I do make exceptions. Instant Book or Instant Booking are intended for travelers and vacationers not Chicago residents. Please inquire appropriately for accommodations. Guests are fully responsible for the safety and security of their children and dogs at all times, as well as any disturbance caused to other residents in the neighborhood. No candles or incense inside. Mosquito repellant candles are fine but you can only use them outside on the patio. No candles on the front porch, please. Guests and Visitors must keep noise to a minimum so as to not disturb the occupants of neighboring properties – especially during nighttime hours (e.g. 11pm – 8am) and upon arrival and departure. Take out your trash and recycling rather than letting it pile up. Extra bags are in bottom of wastebaskets. Request more. The trash cans are in the backyard. Empty your white bag of recycles and toss the bag into trash. When you leave the Vacation Rental, it is your responsibility to ensure all windows and doors are closed/locked to maintain security and to prevent rain and water damage. Guests must switch off lights, air conditioning, fans & the TV when not in use to promote energy savings. It is not permitted to leave the air conditioning on when Guests are absent from the Vacation Rental for more than two hours. I will be happy to turn the a/c on before you come back. Just text me your ETA. Overnight occupancy maximum, including airbed sleepers, is 13 adults and children total. If you are bringing an infant under the age of 2, the baby must be added to the reservation. Port-a-crib provided free. Guest must provide baby linens. Special exceptions for exceeding the maximum sleep space for Youth Groups with personal sleeping bags. EMERGENCY EXIT: Only open the kitchen exit door in an emergency. It is set up with an immediate dispatch to the police for your safety. No phone calls will stop them. If this is a false alarm, the Guest will be fined $300. If the police find visitors or guests in my first floor home or basement, all guests will be arrested for breaking and entering. I will press charges If you decide to move the furniture in the apartment, it must be returned to its original spot upon check out. If you have small children, the guests are responsible for moving breakable items out of harm’s way. Guests are allowed a maximum of 6 visitors at any time during their stay with the exception of pre-approved special events. Guests are responsible for ensuring that the maximum visitor numbers are not exceeded and that Visitors are complicit with these House Rules. Last-minute overnight guests are permitted and subject to additional guest fees. Just let me know. Please report any liquid accidents to me. I have a portable carpet/furniture cleaner that may take care of it, if we get to it soon. The longer the stain remains the more expensive it will be to remove it. You are ultimately responsible if something needs to be replaced or professionally cleaned. All my property has been inventoried by photos. Any missing or broken household items, furnishings or linens will be directly associated with your stay. You are accountable for replacements or fees. When you arrive, please inspect the home for cleanliness. If ANYTHING is not acceptable, do not hesitate to call or text me. I will attend to it ASAP. My goal is to make you a happy tenant, so please speak up. I’d rather not read about it later. NO fireworks on the property. Sorry I love dogs too much and this neighborhood has enough during the 4th celebrations so enjoy the neighbor’s displays which are many and seem to last forever. No pots or pans on the gas grill. Ask if you need grilling tools as I have what you need. Early check-ins are allowed, upon request, if the place is ready. I can usually arrange for it to happen. Guests are limited to one bath set of towels every two-weeks. Men: one bath, one hand and one face cloth; Women: two bath, one hand towel and one face cloth. Please indicate when reserving how many adults and kids and the sets you need. Additional towels available upon request. OTHER THINGS TO NOTE HAIR DYED? I have towels and pillow slips for you. Please let me know. Otherwise you may be charged if I end up with an orange or pink towel. DOG PEOPLE: There is a $20 fee for each dog (limit two-sometimes exceptions-ask me).On AirBnB the fee has NOT been added to your total. You are responsible to pay this fee when you arrive if it was not managed on the website prior to your arrival. Cash is best. There is plenty of free street parking but please be aware that the city puts up no parking signs for street cleaning and they ticket. So be vigilant or pay the city consequence. Also please park close to the car in front or behind so there is room for everyone. I advise you to lock your car doors and do not leave valuables in your car. Drunken and disorderly behavior will not be tolerated and will be subject to immediate eviction with no refunds. Please do not leave cans, cups or cigarette butts on the front porch. The trash cans are in the backyard. Late check-in is fine; however, as a mom, I am now a full-blown worry wart. Thank you children. So, text me if your plane is delayed or the drive took longer than you expected. No problem. Just let me know you're Ok and running late. I will see that the porch light is on. DOG RULES: OK Here's the dog contract part - pretty normal stuff-but you better read through it since you are liable to what it says. Guest hereby agrees to comply the following: 1. Guest to pay additional pet fee in the amount of $20 a night per dog 2. All pets must comply with the following specifications: a. Any size is fine but let me know size and breed before arrival (the name is also nice, too!) b. The dog must be at least 1 year(s) of age or older; in other words, no longer piddling everywhere and chewing on furniture. You can also crate your untrained dog should it not be house broken. I have a large crate for free. Just remind me to haul it out for you. c. Your dog must be up-to-date on rabies and all other vaccinations. 3. Your dog must be leashed at all times when outside the home. 4. Guest is responsible for cleaning up all pet waste. Please dispose of in the black garbage can in the backyard. 5. Dirty paw prints do not wash out of bedding I have found. I will charge you if you/Fido stain the bedding or furniture. (You can see evidence of a paw print if you unwrap the blue damask cover at the foot of the queen bed. Yes I cried silently and yes, I have tried many times to clean it. sigh. A reminder to remind you.) 6. You must be certain your dog is flea and tick free. PLEASE!!!! If I discover, following your stay, that we have an infestation in the apartment, you will pay for the exterminator and the time loss on renting the apartment and any flea treatments for my pets, should they be infested. 7. Your dog must not cause damage to premises or furnishings. If damages are caused, the cost of the damage will either be deducted from your security deposit or processed through the insurance policy. 8. Guest should prevent their pets from producing excessive noise at a level that disturbs neighbors. This means no constant yapping dogs, please, no matter the time of day or night or you will be asked to leave without a refund! If I am stuck with babysitting your dog, unplanned, I will double the dog sitting fee. Some barking is OK for goodness sake. They are dogs after all. It's the 9 to 5 barkers I am talking about. If that's your dog, there are some great doggie daycares nearby. 9. You agree that your pet will not be left unattended for an undue length of time. Pets will not be left unattended on the porch or in the backyard ever. 10. Homeowner assumes no responsibility for illness or injury that may incur to pets or humans while on the premises. DOG OWNERS sidenote: I urge all dog owners when you first get here to stay for at least 60 minutes before you head out again ….leaving Fido behind. The car ride was tough enough but to abandon them shortly after you arrive seems to make all the dogs very unhappy. If you think dog sitting is a better option for those who have dogs who suffer anxiety, please hire me or Basement Jim to dog sit or dog visit. We are very very affordable and we really love dogs. woof bark and yip CHECK OUT PROCEDURES (There’s a cheat sheet on the BnB door) 1. Collect all apartment trash and toss in the black can in the backyard. Empty the recycles in the blue bin. NOTE: Only the cans and bottles no plastic bags in the blue bin even if its got recycles inside. Toss the empty plastic bag in the trash can. 2. Wash and dry all dishes, cups, etc. and put them away. Wipe down the stove top & counters. Make sure the dining table and the chairs have been wiped down, too. 3. Leave all used towels in the bathroom & hang the wet ones. If curtain is wet extend it. 4. Strip the beds. Put the unused bedding, pillows, towels somewhere else ..keep the clean separated from the dirty. 5. Deflate airbeds & put them back into the storage bags. Put the used linen in a pile next to the deflated bed. 6. Put any moved furniture back. 7. Clean the dog dishes. 8. You are welcome to leave condiments, coffee filters, paper goods, beer, wine and food. We will clean out the rig and freezer….and toast to your safe travels. lol 9. Before you leave: Turn off all the lights, fans, air conditioners, the TV and sound bar AND don’t forget the microwave stove light. 10. Close all the windows and the draw the blinds closed. 11. Put doorbell transmitter on coffee table. 12. Return the key to the doorknob. 13. Please depart promptly by 11am so we can prepare the house for our next guests. If you want a late check out let me know. There is no fee/charge for a late check out. Depends on reservations. 14. If you have not paid your dog fee yet, please leave it on the table. 15. If you have damaged a towel: $7 body towel $5 hand towel $3 wash cloth If you leave the house unlike you found it and your mess causes my housekeeper to clean longer than usual, you will be billed $50 for the excess cleaning time. Basically, leave it the way you found it. And if you really don’t want to do anything but pack and go, then leave the additional $50 fee on the table and I will see that it is all taken care of and you will get rated great for the cleaning. Breach of any of these House Rules is a breach of the Terms and Conditions of occupancy as per the Rental Agreement. The Owner and Manager reserve the right to terminate permission to occupy and to evict from the Vacation Rental, any Guests or Visitors who refuse to follow these House Rules or who cause a nuisance to neighbors or other residents of the community. When reserving through AirBnB and it’s affiliates, I agree to all these rules without a signature as your agreement with AirBnB and it’s affiliates proves this contract binding. By making this reservation through AirBnB, I agree to adhere to all the rules indicated on this document.