Homewood ranked #3 in CNN story: Best places to live / Where homes are affordable

Median home price: $100,000 Median family income: $86,683 Homewood boasts a large creative class — many residents are musicians, designers, art curators and educators. And low real estate prices here make it easier for them to follow their muses: Two-bedroom condos regularly go for around $60,000, while those who need more space can get 4,000-sq.-ft. homes for $400,000.

The town feels very walkable, but cyclists will find plenty of paths and storefront bike racks. For big-city entertainment, Chicago’s just 22 miles away. Still, there’s plenty to do close to home. The town has 60 events a year, ranging from an art and garden fair to movies in the park.

See related stories in the Tribune, Patch and Southtown Star.