Another important aspect to consider when buying a home is the traffic in your neighborhood. It is important to understand traffic patterns and congestion levels to ensure a convenient and safe commute. Below is a map that displays traffic congestion levels across Chicago neighborhoods. Again, the yellow shade is associated with higher traffic levels, while the purple shade indicates lower traffic levels.
Similar to the heat map concerning Chicago's crime, the closer we get to the city’s center, the more frequent the car accidents. This is something to consider if a family is looking to move to the inner city, as a car might not be the best mode of transportation. Public transit is both the more cost effective and safer alternative to owning a car. Additionally, it opens the door to more homebuying options because a family can look for housing options that don’t necessarily have to have a built in parking spot or be vehicle accessible.