Aurora

Nestled on the eastern banks of the flowing Fox River, Bardwell is a quiet suburban neighborhood located 2 miles south of Aurora and 41 miles west of downtown Chicago. Residents can enjoy spacious homes while being only a quick drive away from the shopping, dining and entertainment of the city. Most homes in Bardwell were built in the early 1900s and come with small grassy lawns and sidewalks that make the area walkable. A wide range of home styles can be found throughout the neighborhood, including two-story Colonial Revivals and Craftsman homes that cost anywhere between $225,000 to $360,000. There are also smaller Cape Cods and Tudor-inspired homes with covered front porches that can get as low as $150,000. “There are so many different housing options here. You have a home that fits any buyer,” says Real Estate Broker Deanna Schmudde with John Greene Realtor, who has almost 10 years of experience. The average home price for the neighborhood is $225,000. Residents of Bardwell can send their young learners to Bardwell Elementary School on South Lincoln Avenue for their education. It may have a C-minus grade on Niche, but Bardwell Elementary is the largest elementary school on the east side of Aurora and offers bilingual and English-as-a-Second-Language classes. K D Waldo Middle School also holds a C-minus Niche grade but makes up for it with professional learning communities. From there, students can attend East Aurora High School. The school maintains a C Niche grade, offers over 45 student clubs and activities and hosts the largest NJROTC program in the Midwest. When it comes to outdoor recreation, locals can enjoy the fresh air in one of the neighborhood’s two parks. Bluff Street Park features a playground, open field space and a half basketball court. The western region of Bardwell is occupied by Hurds Island on Fox River, which can be accessed from North Avenue. While most of the land mass is an open field with train tracks, Hurds Island Park gives visitors plenty of enjoyment. Kick a soccer ball around on the soccer fields or explore the playground area. Walkers, hikers and bikers can access the 40-mile Fox River Trail that runs through the island. Visitors can even go fishing or take a kayak out onto the water. As a primarily residential area, shops and restaurants in Bardwell are limited. Within the neighborhood’s borders, you can find two Mexican eateries. La Quebrada Aurora Restaurant features authentic Mexican flavors and has been a favorite among the community since 1998. Down the road to the east, you can visit La Flama De Oro, which has a beer garden attached to its eating area. Stuff yourself with their savory carne asada or tostadas. Those who would rather cook a meal at home can get their groceries at La Familia Fresh Market on South Fourth Street. For more retail and dining options, residents will head 2 miles north to the other side of Aurora. “Downtown Aurora has a ton of amazing restaurants and bakeries,” Schmudde says. There are several local eateries along North Broadway – Boriken Restaurant specializes in traditional Puerto Rican dishes, and Tavern on Broadway is your classic bar scene with burgers and flatbread pizza. Shops in the area include Latino Cano for clothing, Offbeat Thrift & Vintage and Superjumbo Records and Collectibles. With Bardwell’s suburban landscape, it’s common for most people to get around using their own vehicles. Illinois Route 25 cuts through the neighborhood and makes it easy for commuters to travel throughout the area. Those who work in downtown Chicago can drive 1.5 miles to the Aurora Metra station and take a train into the city. In an emergency, residents will only have to travel half a mile north to get to Aurora Medical Center on New York Street.

Hence the name, Blackberry Countryside is a quiet community encompassed by lush landscapes. This neighborhood is ideal for anyone looking for a little breathing room along with proximity to vast public greenspaces and outdoor recreational areas. <br><br>The community has a wide array of housing styles, mostly comprised of split-level, Colonial, Cape Cod, expansive ranch-style and newer builds within subdivisions. Many of these residences sit on sizeable lots and come equipped with meticulously maintained lawns, elongated driveways and multiple-car garages. Home prices range from $295,000 to $755,000. Townhouses cost between $200,000 to $275,000.<br>Acres of woodlands hug the winding treelined residential streets giving quick access to just about every outdoor activity of your choice, with Aurora West Forest Preserve being the most notable. This favored preserve offers over 700 acres of forests, prairie lands and marshlands where nature trails abound. Dust off your dirt bike and hit the out-and-back and looped trails. The trail connects to the Virgil Gilman bike trail giving you access to nearby regions in Aurora. Let your pup get some exercise and have some outdoor fun as the preserve has pet-friendly areas, specifically at the Aurora West Off Leash Dog Park. If you’re a golf enthusiast itching to practice your backswing, Orchard Valley Golf Course and Bliss Creek Golf Course have you covered. They both offer an 18-hole course on gorgeous greens, dining and other amenities. Other nearby greenspaces include Canterbury Park, Cherry Hill Park and Lindens Park.<br><br>For new residents, Amy Pearson, licensed realtor with @properties, says a great place to check out is Blackberry Farm. “I’ve taken my daughter there and she loved it. It’s a hands-on farm with unlimited train rides, a hay wagon, pedal tractors, a carousel, ponies and paddle boats on Lake Gregory.” According to the Fox Valley Park District, this long-standing community staple is a living history museum that re-creates the rich history of Aurora from 1840-1910. <br><br>Primary and secondary students in the area attend public and private schools, including Freeman Elementary and Washington Middle School. West Aurora High School boasts an above average Niche score with diversity earning the highest accolades. West Aurora also prides itself on its long-standing annual West Aurora Fine Arts Festival, which highlights student artists, including performing and visual. When the academic year ends, kids can jump into summer by floating in the lazy river, zipping down the tower tube slides and splashing in the spray features of the Splash Country Water Park. <br>Take a weekend to get a taste of the community’s culinary scene, by first heading to Syrup for breakfast. This sophisticated farmhouse-style eatery takes breakfast and lunch up a notch. Be adventurous and try the banana-infused, chocolate chip-topped toffana pancakes, or the vanilla-crusted raspberry mascarpone pancakes. Another notable breakfast spot is Mother’s Pancake House & Restaurant. For lunch or dinner, Big Sea Sushi & Noodles is a no-frills yet welcoming place that serves Japanese delicacies, including classic sushi rolls and poke bowls. <br><br>For an at-home culinary experience head to neighborhood grocers like ALDI which provides organic produce and unique spices for your everyday cooking needs. Retail shopping can be found at Galena Square, an open-air center with necessities. Additional shopping can be found near downtown Aurora, where local boutiques sell unique and pre-loved items. Chicago Premium Outlets is a destination for premiere shopping with high-end stores such as Coach, Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade. <br><br>A few things are for sure when you move into Blackberry Countryside: You’ll be immersed in nature with proximity to diverse cuisines and shopping, making it a coveted place to live.

The Chicago suburb of Aurora got its name, and nickname as the “City of Lights” because it was the first city to install an electric streetlight system in 1881. To the west of downtown is the neighborhood of Blackhawk, a mainly residential area with plenty of opportunity for those just getting into the housing market. It’s a place where people want to stay. “It’s a stable neighborhood that’s great for first-time homebuyers,” says Kathy Brothers, a Realtor with Keller Williams Innovative with over 20 years of real estate experience. “If a young couple buys a house before starting a family, it’s possible that they may not have to move as their family grows.” While there are about 80 parks scattered around the city, a few are situated in Blackhawk. Greene Field Park has two large baseball diamonds, a paved walking path, a playground with equipment for kids of all ages, basketball hoops and a covered picnic area. There is no designated parking area - most park on the side of the road on Lancaster and Hoyt Avenues. There’s a large recreation area behind McCleery Elementary School called McCleery Park consisting of green space and a small playground. The park can be enjoyed when the school is not using it. Multiple baseball facilities and tennis courts are also behind West Aurora High School. On Friday nights in the fall, when West Aurora High School has a home game, the cheers may be heard in the immediate area, especially when the Blackhawks score a touchdown. The high school’s nickname lends its name to the neighborhood as the school is a big part of it. The school is rated a B-plus on Niche and is known simply as West High to locals. The big rivalry is with East Aurora, as city bragging rights are at stake in all sports. Jefferson Middle School has a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio and gets a C-plus grade. One of the elective classes that students can take is engineering, which allows creativity and the chance to practice group collaboration. McCleery Elementary School gets a B-minus Niche grade and has 550 prekindergarten through fifth-grade students. Covenant Christian School is a private school with just under 100 students that can attend up to tenth grade. With prices ranging from $200,000 to $450,000, houses from the 1950s and ‘60s can be found in Blackhawk. Ranch-style and tri-level homes with around 2,000 square feet and three to four bedrooms are standard. “Most prices will be in the $250,000 to $330,000 range,” Brothers says. Older models include Foursquare and Cape Cods, with up to five bedrooms and 4,000 square feet. Smaller bungalows have three bedrooms. Potential homebuyers can expect to pay just over $200 per square foot, and 82% of people here are homeowners. It’s a small pizza place near the corner of Elmwood Drive and Galena Boulevard at the end of a small group of businesses. Gourmet Pizza Corporation is a carry-out-only pizza restaurant with delivery service within the Aurora zip code. Around the corner is Harner’s Bakery, which specializes in pies, donuts and cookies. Other locations around Aurora include a restaurant with daily specials on comfort foods. However, the location on Galena Boulevard in Blackhawk is a bakery only. Jewel-Osco is a short drive west for grocery items. Woodman’s is a 250,000-square-foot grocery store on Orchard Road north of Interstate 88. There aren’t many stores in the Chicago metro area, but the north part of Aurora has one. Commuters can be at the Aurora Metra station, the westernmost stop on the system and riders can be downtown at Union Station in just over an hour. The Pace bus system, serving many of Chicago’s suburbs, has stops on Plum Street, Randal Road and Galena Boulevard.

Just five minutes from vibrant downtown Aurora and the waterfront shops along the beautiful Fox River, Edgelawn Randall is a quiet residential community with ample public parks and diverse housing options. This quiet community is mostly comprised of condominiums, townhouses, split-level homes and newer builds within subdivisions, all of which rest on quaint tree-lined streets. These residences sit on single lots and come equipped with tidy lawns, personal driveways and car garages. Home prices range from $162,000 to $360,000. To experience the outdoors in Edgelawn Randall, visit the numerous parks in the area including Foxcroft Park. Not only is it a go-to greenspace for a casual day of play at the mulched playground area, but it’s a favored spot for fishing enthusiasts. Cast your reel in Foxcroft Lake and try to catch a bluegill, carp, catfish or largemouth bass. The park is vast with wide open fields for an impromptu game of soccer, tag or kickball. Also located on the grounds are basketball courts and a multipurpose indoor space ideal for celebratory events. Golden Oaks Park offers an additional fishing hole, sports courts and playground, while Arrow Wood Park is an ideal spot for hiking and biking paths. If skateboarding and BMXing are more of your thing, Fire Department Skatepark features obstacles and ramps for all skill levels. Primary and secondary students attend public and private schools, including Hall Elementary and Jefferson Middle School. Aurora Central Catholic High School boasts an above average Niche score with diversity earning the highest accolades. Aurora Central Catholic also prides itself on its faith-based educational curricula, 43-acre state-of-art campus and over $10 million in scholarships awarded to the graduating student body. For post-secondary, students can attend Aurora University, located just minutes away. This private institution offers undergraduate and graduate coursework taught by award-winning faculty. Edgelawn Randall’s culinary scene has a heavy Hispanic influence, along with other international cuisines. “There’s a range of diversity here in Aurora,” says Becky Garling, resident and Facilities Director with Fox Valley Park District. “There are different people, cultural events and really cool diverse restaurants.” El Tacoyote Auténticos Tacos De Canasta offers authentic Mexican street food, with locals saying the line is worth the wait. When dining here, you can expect delectable tacos, friendly service and homemade salsas and guacamole. With a European-inspired menu, SYRUP is a sophisticated farmhouse-style eatery that takes breakfast and lunch up a notch. If you’ve been craving crepes, try the Nutella and banana or the cluck cluck skillet, a hand-battered crispy chicken breast with peppers, onions chorizo gravy carefully plated in a wrought-iron skillet. For lunch or dinner, Big Sea Sushi & Noodles is a no-frills yet welcoming place that serves Japanese delicacies, including classic sushi rolls and poke bowls. For an at-home culinary experience head to neighborhood grocers like Supermercado Carrera and Yangon Oriental Store which provides organic produce and unique spices for your everyday cooking needs. Retail shopping can be found at Northgate Shopping Center, an open-air center with necessities. Additional shopping can be found near downtown Aurora, where local boutiques sell unique and pre-loved items. Chicago Premium Outlets is a destination for premiere shopping with high-end stores such as Coach, Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade. From proximity to the city center to beautiful outdoor greenspaces, Edgelawn Randall has lots to offer making it a desirable place to call home.

Placed on the banks of the Fox River, there’s a quiet suburb known as Indian Creek. But like many suburbs, there are not just dashes of nature here and there – modern amenities make their presence known, too, like Fox Valley Mall. Smaller roads along the interior like Farnsworth Avenue are lined with eateries, and a bike path cuts across the width of the neighborhood as well. Realtor Zoila Galvan with Lomitas Real Estate says the closeness of all these things, coupled with open space to relax in, draws homebuyers. “Indian Creek has large lots and it’s a very well-kept neighborhood. It's close to stores and the outlet mall, and homeowners tend to keep their homes for many years,” she says. A lot of housing here feels contemporary, having been built during the 2000s or even the 2010s. Prices range from $200,000 to $500,000. For example, a one-bedroom townhouse from 2003 represents the entry point for this market. But in terms of single-family homes, the modern traditional style rules the day – and those typically start in the upper $300,000s. Scattered throughout Indian Creek, homebuyers will notice a kind of updated ranch that can vary in terms of bedrooms, but almost always shows up with steep gabled roofs, street-facing garages, tall windows and splashes of brick. Some of these stay true to the single-story open concept floor plan that’s typical of ranches. But it’s not unusual to find some with basements, or a second story that overlooks a spacious den under a vaulted ceiling. O’Donnell Elementary has been open since 1965, and it maintains a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Niche gives it a C-minus rating overall. Simmons Middle earns the same, and features classic extracurriculars like jazz band, eco club and student council. East Aurora High earns a C, and presents a fresh, modern look. It’s known for having strong student participation in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. From the west to the east end, parks dot the neighborhood. Cool Acres Park is about as close as one can get to the Fox River without going for a swim. The space features open fields, suitable for a casual picnic in the grass, catching a sunset or taking in the rushing sounds of the river. Indian Creek Park and Church Road Park both provide mulched play areas and sports facilities, as well as paved paths to stroll on. Part of the Illinois Prairie Path passes through here, taking cyclists past a swath of forest preserves connected to O’Donnell Park, near the elementary school. Indian Creek’s dining scene is laidback, but it offers enough eclecticism for foodies to explore global flavors. Goody’s Restaurant, for example, features American dishes with a nod to both European and Mexican cuisines. Favored menu items include gyros, breakfast burritos, and pita and croissant sandwiches. For an entertaining environment, residents head to The Endzone Bar & Grill, where they can play pool, watch a game or try your hand at the Vegas-style slot machines. Other nearby eateries are located along or near Farnsworth Avenue, including Ach-N-Lou’s Pizza Pub. For fine dining options, residents venture to Downtown Aurora. Small neighborhood stores like Supermercados El Guero or KOMO African & Mexican Grocery provide organic produce and diverse spices. Retail destinations can be found at the nearby Fox Valley Mall, which has flagship stores such as Macy’s and JCPenney. On either side of Fox River are Highway 31 and Highway 25, where residents can find grocery stores and healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, commuters relish having Interstate 88 run along the northern border. It’s roughly a 40-mile drive to downtown Chicago. Bikers and pedestrians can traverse the length of Indian Creek by taking the Illinois Prairie Path. Buses traffic key thoroughfares, like centrally located Farnsworth Avenue. A mile from the south side is downtown Aurora, which features a Metra station. Overall, Indian Creek embraces all the modes of transportation that a resident could choose.