The Annex is a private apartment in an 100+ year old wood frame home just north of Andersonville. The Annex is a typical Chicago style 'in-law' garden apartment - located on the first floor of the house where we live - it is bright and clean and well appointed with comfortable furniture. (see pictures). It has large windows that look out on our garden and yard. Our daughter's family also lives on the property in rear coach house. There is easy access to Lake Shore Drive, Evanston and downtown. The Annex is located in an "in-law" garden apartment on the first floor in the front house on our property. If you look at the pictures we've shared you can see the windows of The Guest House Annex facing the yard and garden in the front of the house. The Annex is a separate unit with its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, little bedroom, living and eating areas. This apartment is a part of the house where we live. It is safe, cozy, clean, quiet, private - a little home away from home in Chicago. Our Guest House Annex is well equipped - full kitchen, one bath, one sleeping room - very bright. To enter the Annex you come in through the gate, walk down three steps and into the apartment (see pictures of the steps and how the apartment is set up). During warm months you are welcome to eat outside in our farm-like sanctuary in the city. One of the things we do as Airbnb Hosts is to provide a well stocked kitchen - that typically includes yogurt, milk, juice, coffee, tea, jam, butter, healthy cereal, bread and cheese. We think that when travelers arrive they should be greeted with enough food in the fridge to make a hearty snack and at least their first breakfast. Close to the Andersonville neighborhood, lake and transportation. Free street parking. Owner lives on property. We do everything we can to create an affordable welcoming environment - we are glad to help when asked. Owners live on property - and live above the annex in their own apartment in the building. Usually a family member will let you in and most of the time either Richard or Cathy are available for emergencies or urgent needs on short notice. The Annex like any other apartment. There is hot water radiant heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. There is basic cable TV and wireless internet. Our Guest House Annex is not fancy or 'high end' although it is clean, well kept and comfortable with high quality furniture and amenities. This is a "family friendly" neighborhood - late night wild parties are not allowed. Additional people are welcome to visit guests, but anyone not registered as a guest must first be cleared with owners. No additional overnight guests are permitted - other than those included in on the original booking. There is an open dining area adjacent to the open fully equipped kitchen. Guests are welcome to use yard - and may sit in our "pollinator" from garden and observe bees who visit to get water from hives we maintain across the street. There are lawn chairs for guest use and an area set aside for guests to use - on warm evenings is is delightful to picnic outside on the lawn. There is a washing machine and dryer in the house that long term guests (staying four days or more) guests can use upon request. We can provide laundry soap - we just ask that guests who use the laundry facilities frequently, pay something on the honor system to cover the cost. The Space The Annex apartment is in a farm like setting in the city. It is a complete little home-away-from home - the queen bed is of a high quality and very comfortable. There is also a pull out Room & Board Full Size Bed/Couch (very comfortable air mattress) and a day bed with a comfortable mattress which is frequently used by children with parents - there is also a study where people can read, use their computer, etc. The fold out couch bed is very comfortable - not like some flimsy fold out beds. The mattress is firm and comfortable / something between a queen and full size bed. Our place can accommodate two couples for several days or a long weekend. However, because it is not a super large space, two couples would likely find the space cramped for longer term stays. The Annex is ideal for small family groups - two parents and one or two children. Walking through the gate one does not feel like they are in the city. During warm weather there is ample place to sit outside after a day exploring the city - there is a Weber grill guests can use upon request. Upon arrival guests will find the fridge will be stocked with basic food so you can come in and find something to snack on and make a simple first morning's breakfast - we provide coffee and a coffee maker, a variety of tea and a toaster. This is a non-smoking environment - NO SMOKING is allowed in the house - we are firm about this and will appreciate it if guests honor this rule. We do however, have a designated place in the yard where smoking is permitted and we ask that guests use the ash tray that is provided and properly dispose of cigarette butts and waste. Our preference is that guests not be smokers. Additionally - no open flames (candles) other than the gas stove, are permitted. Guest Access Guests have the apartment to themselves. The owners do not enter the apartment when guests are visiting except in cases of emergency or if there are safety issues. Cathy and I and other family members also live on the property which has three buildings on it. We are kid friendly (supervision is required appreciated) and people can come and go as they please. Children are not allowed to be outside in the yard without adult supervision. We are both retired and spend a considerable amount of time at home and can be reached by cell phone 24/7. Interaction with Guests We can be available to assist with ideas and directions - and sometimes will be available to share a cup of coffee or tea - we are friendly hosts. The Neighborhood We are close to Andersonville (about a 15 minute walk) - one of the city's sweetest and most friendly neighborhoods. We are also just a few minutes by car or bicycle from the lake. There is a lovely coffee shop that serves breakfast and lunch and coffee - just on the other side of the train tracks from where we are located. Getting around There is excellent Public transport in the area - both busses and trains - and starting this spring (2024) there will be a new METRA train station opening up just 150 yards from our house. This will provide easy access to downtown Chicago and easy access to the norther suburbs and the Ravinia Festival - an outdoor music venue in Highland Park - about 15 miles north of where our place is located. Once you know your way around it is workable. There is a "L" train (is a twenty minute walk) - and the Red Line and a bus line (Clark Street bus) a 6 minute walk away. Our place is close to a Divy Bicycle station - which is Chicago's public access bicycle system. We can provide more details when you arrive. Guests ride bikes in the city at their own risk - and riding is not suggested for individuals unfamiliar with riding in a US city environment. Other Things to Note This is a great environment and space for a family visiting Chicago. Most people have said that our place is a good home base.... From time to time we foster dogs and when we do they may be in our yard, but are never in our yard unattended. For safety reason we do not have dogs who we are fostering interact with guests - and our dogs are only outside when one of our owners are with them. Richard and Cathy are willing to talk with guests from out of town to help orient them to the city and neighborhood. The city of Chicago has a bike rental program and one of the bike rental stations is within an 8 minute walk from our house. The Annex has its own entrance and we respect our guest's privacy, and, if they need assistance we are close at hand. Our property is close to the lake, Andersonville and Roger's Park. Just a short walk from Clark Street where the Clark Street Bus goes, past Wrigley Field to Downtown Chicago. Clark Street bus - three blocks away. Granville Train Station - 1/2 mile away Bryn Mawr Train Station - 3/4 miles away METRA train station - 150 yards away Our place is close to a Divvy Bicycle Sharing station - which is Chicago's official bicycle sharing system. There are many stations between here and down town and people who are staying for more than a few days can purchase a multi day or longer pass. If a guest(s) plan on a longer stay (3 weeks or more) we may be able to obtain used bicycles that guests can use during their stay and park in front of our property. If long term guests (two or more weeks) want to have their own bicycle please let us know if you are interested in having us obtain a bicycle for you. We are always on the look out for great "city street bikes" - really the best way to get around in warm weather. It is possible that we could find a good used bicycle for long term guests to use while they are in Chicago. NOTE - As mentioned - Chicago now has a city operated bicycle renting program "DIVVY" - which some guests have used and liked. Also guests use bicycles at their own risk. If you are not an experienced bicycle rider we do not suggest using the bike - there is an inherent danger associated with using a bike in the city and we strongly suggest using an abundance of caution if you are going to go out. Look both ways! Observe the rules of the road - stop a lights and stop signs. No Joke! Please let us know if you have any questions... we are happy to discuss longer term rentals with interested parties. Guests may use the yard (we have an area that is designated for Airbnb guests). Children are welcome to use the yard - but they may only do so with active adult supervision. Although it appears safe, young children may not spend time in the yard on their own. Guests who are staying four or more days may make arrangements to use our washing machine and dryer. During warm months seeing the city by bicycle is a real treat. It is a short ride to the lake front beaches and bicycle paths that run from where we are all the way to downtown. Our interaction with guests can range from very little to more. We are available most times in case of emergency as we also live in the house in a separate apartment. We are happy to assist with ideas of places to visit, recommendations for restaurants and local activities. We make it a policy to respect the privacy of our guests. The only time we would enter the Guest House Annex (and we always knock first and get permission if someone is home) is if there is an emergency or a safety issue. Our property is close to the lake, Andersonville and Roger's Park. Just a short walk from Clark Street where the Clark Street Bus goes, past Wrigley Field to Downtown Chicago. Our neighborhood is considered to be one of the safest in Chicago. On most days there is ample free street parking right in front of our house. There are a variety of grocery stores within a half mile of our house and in the Spring of 2022 there will be a coffee shop and bakery opening up within 100 yards of the house where someone can pick up snacks pastries. There are several neighborhood restaurants less than a ten minute walk from our house. Clark Street bus - three blocks away. Granville Train Station - 1/2 mile away Bryn Mawr Train Station - 3/4 miles away Metro Train station 100 yards away - opens in the Winter of 2023/24 Our place is close to Andersonville and Chicago's old Civil War Graveyard. We are within walking distance to several "L" stops and within easy walking distance to the Clark Street bus line. Starting in the Spring of 2024 there will be a large, newly constructed METRA train station just 150 yards away.