These new zip code changes are important to note if you have any property alerts set up by zip code.  If you don't update your search criteria, you could miss out on whole neighborhoods for which you were previously getting information. 

Starting July 1, 2008, 13,200 homes in 60622 and 60610 got new zip codes reassigned to them.  In 60610 (Old Town/Loop area), people living on West Chicago Ave and south of there will now be 60654.  And in 60622 (Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village/East Village area), those living east of Ashland Ave will now be 60642 (occasionally referred to as Noble Square). 

Postal Service officials attribute the need for new ZIP codes to the "dramatic growth in Fort Dearborn and Wicker Park," which has exhausted ZIP code combinations. 

I personally live in the affected 60622 area, which I refer to Wicker Park.  It is strange to think that I live in a new neighborhood, one block away from both Wicker Park and Bucktown.  But I can't complain about the reason for the need of the new ZIP, "explosive growth".  Which has translated into "property appreciation" for my home, so I guess I can get over the semantics. 

Regardless of the name, I LOVE my neighborhood.  It is directly in the middle of Wicker Park with its quirky, bohemian independant shops and restaurants, Bucktown which is offering higher and higher end shopping with each time I walk down Damen, and the North/Sheffield area which has all the chain stores I need (Gap, Banana Republic, Express, etc)- all within a one mile walk.  The area is also convienantly location right by the Interstate and three Els stops are also within one mile (Division and Damen Blue Line stops and the North Ave Red Line). 

So make sure you update your search criteria if you were previously searching in these areas.  Or you can forego the need to know about ZIP codes and have your agent set up a property search by street coordinates (a popular way to search in Chicago because so many different neighborhoods can be included in one ZIP).