La Grange Highlands is quiet, mostly residential neighborhood
A quiet neighborhood that spreads across more than 600 acres, La Grange Highlands sits almost 700 feet above sea level. That’s 100 feet higher than Chicago’s Loop, which may not seem like a lot to some people, but it's a leg up in a region known for being quintessentially flat. It’s all about the perspective. Realtor Bryan Bomba says that some people refer to La Grange Highlands as “sleepy,” but they mean that in the best way possible. It’s all about perspective. “People are here for the schools and the slower pace of life,” he says.
Housing options include ranch-style homes on spacious lots
The community is primarily residential, with neat grid-like streets placing homes on lots that are sized at a half-acre or more. “La Grange Highlands is going to be ranches on oversized lots, so if you want that, this is the place to go,” says Bomba. Most development has already occurred, so if you want an established place to live, La Grange Highlands can give you that sense of rootedness. However, you can still put your personal stamp on the map, says Bomba, noting that “some ranches are being torn down to make way for new construction.” You also benefit from variety. Home prices extend from the $400,000s up to the $500,000 range. And within the ranch genre, you can find a range of aesthetic designs, from wood siding in cool tones to a mix of brick and wood materials in warm earth tones. Home construction dates are varied as well, from the early 1950s to the late 1970s. If you want something more modern and low maintenance, you can find brick condominiums and townhomes built during the late 1990s.
Students may attend Highlands schools
A pair of schools sit next to each other in the neighborhood, making it convenient to attend Highlands Elementary and then Highlands Middle. Highlands Elementary enrolls 500 students and has a big focus on recycling and ecology, not only teaching students about those subjects in its curriculum but also using recycled materials in class projects. The school garden was built after students sourced grants from Lowe’s, Whole Foods and a nationwide contest called Trees Rock. Highlands Middle enrolls 400 and has a similar emphasis on earthy subjects, with students learning about composting and pollinators. The school also offers several extracurriculars, from chess club to a student newspaper.
Eclectic restaurants are on 55th and South La Grange
Plainfield Road is a major thoroughfare that cuts diagonally through the neighborhood. Taking this east, you can quickly reach Jewel-Osco for your weekly grocery errands. You’ll also see a cluster of eclectic restaurants at 55th Street and South La Grange Road. Try the neighborhood favorite Tavern on La Grange – its menu is full of celebrity-named dishes like the Michael Jordan filet mignon sliders. When you’re ready for civilization again, make your way back to Old Route 66 and pick up some groceries at Tony’s Fresh Market, run errands at Walgreens or chew on savory Balkan rolls from Roka Bakehouse.
Residents are close to Theodore Stone Forest
Directly across Old Route 66 is Theodore Stone Forest, which features over 140 acres of preserved prairieland, complete with trails. There’s even a small body of water — Lake Ida — so you can feel you’ve escaped from it all for a bit.
Photography Contributed By
Brett Bulthuis
