Algonquin

Serving as an essential midpoint between the major Illinois cities of Chicago and Rockford, Far West Algonquin is a suburban neighborhood removed from the bright lights of the city’s downtown while still remaining close to local bites and retail. Three shopping centers are within close proximity of the neighborhood and there’s several green spaces within, while a country club and nature preserve lie just north. Mostly lined with residential streets, Far West Algonquin's location on the outskirts of its namesake city sits between the suburban landscape of Lake in the Hills and the spacious, farmland-dotted swaths of land in North Gilberts. "I love the community," says Tori Spena, a broker with Coldwell Banker Realty, chairperson of the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce and longtime resident of the area. "There's lots of amenities for all ages and something for everyone. It's a friendly community and a place to call home." There aren’t many restaurants within Far West Algonquin, though a number are situated on the eastern boundary on Randall Road. One of Kosta’s Gyros’ two locations is situated in the neighborhood, and customers can find burgers and beer there. SYRUP serves gourmet meals and describes its aesthetic as farmhouse-meets-upscale-dining, offering outdoor seating as well as cocktails. Jasmine’s Cuisine is open four days a week and its seafood menu awaits visitors, while Moretti’s Lake in the Hills prides itself on its pizza while offering a sports bar atmosphere. A variety of other outlets are to the east on Randall. "South Randall Road is loaded with new places," Spena says. The businesses are just exploding." Various outlets can be found in Algonquin Commons, Algonquin Galleria and River Pointe, all along Randall as well. “As a whole, Algonquin Commons is the go-to mall,” says Sarah Leonard, broker and team leader of the Sarah Leonard Team and owner of Legacy Properties. “It’s in the central part of Algonquin, probably a 10-to-15-minute drive from Far West Algonquin. It’s convenient, though, and has a ton of stores and restaurants.” The Commons features options ranging from Barnes & Noble to Bonefish Grill to Old Navy apparel. Walmart, Target and Meijer locations are also situated along Randall. The village of Algonquin has a packed schedule throughout the year, ranging from community meetings to numerous events. In September, Art on the Fox Algonquin takes place in the downtown area and showcases local creators along Main Street. The annual Founders' Days take place in the summer in downtown and at Spella Park, featuring live music, themed events and contests. "Neighboring communities have a lot of different festivals as well," Spena says. "In downtown Algonquin, they have a harvest and fall festival and a winter festival market." Far West Algonquin is largely populated by newer, traditional homes, many of them multi-level residences. Architecture typically features colonial or Craftsman styling, and there's a number of ranch homes in the neighborhood as well. A number of single-family homes have sold for between $350,000 and $500,000, but the largest amount of sales in the area have been between $450,000 and $650,000. Spacious yards radiate out from some homes and soaring, angled roofs are a popular feature of architecture in the Far West Algonquin neighborhood. Flair like stonework, columns, manicured lawns and sculpted shrubs can be found on the properties at the higher end of the price range, while townhouses typically fall around the $400,000 mark. In Far West Algonquin, crime is given a CAP index score of 3 out of 10, lower than the nationwide average of 4. Three established parks lie within Far West Algonquin’s boundaries. “It’s very family-friendly,” Leonard says. “A lot of the communities are built with parks, walking trails and playgrounds.” Kelliher Park, in the western half of the neighborhood, has facilities for football, baseball, basketball, tennis and soccer, while toward the center of the region James B. Wood Park’s 26 acres offer a playground, walking paths and courts for basketball. The largest, Ted Spella Community Park, extends for more than 40 acres in the southeastern area of the neighborhood. Residents can go sledding there in the winter, or, in warmer months, swing tennis rackets, shoot hoops or trek the park’s pathways. Boulder Ridge Country Club and Exeter Marsh Conservation Area are both north of Far West Algonquin. "The nice thing about Algonquin is you can walk from one side to the other on the trails," Spena says. The closest highway is Interstate 90, less than seven miles south. "The highways are very convenient," Spena says. "Between your house and there, you can probably grab a cup of coffee and go. You're close enough yet you're far enough away; when you want serenity, you've got the woods and Fox River there." Chicago itself is about 50 miles to the east and Rockford is about the same distance to the west, so Algonquin serves as a sort of midpoint between the two cities. Pace buses run along South Randall Road, and downtown Algonquin is about four miles east. To the west in Huntley, the Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital provides medical services. Three of the schools Far West Algonquin students attend are within the neighborhood’s scope. From kindergarten through second grade, Mackeben Elementary School serves the student population and receives an A-minus from Niche. Conley Elementary School is right beside Mackeben, has an A grade and continues education for grades three through five. Heineman Middle School, situated alongside the two elementary schools, is given a B-plus from Niche. Just west, Huntley High School receives an A from Niche and ranks in the top 50 such schools for student-athletes and top 100 high schools overall in Illinois. There, students can find organizations devoted to music, film, theatre and more.