Bloomingdale

Growing residential community mirrors expressway expansion Quiet streets lined with vibrant green birches, oaks and willows boast plenty of building potential in Keeneyville, a small Bloomingdale community about an hour away from Downtown Chicago. “It’s a quaint bedroom community situated in a great location, where you can easily access larger towns and amenities like Schaumberg and O’Hare,” says local real estate broker Cindy Banks. “The area is ideal for someone who wants a quiet, but centrally located neighborhood.” With expressway expansion plans in place, Keeneyville’s residential community is growing. Custom homes and half-acre lots in Keeneyville Named after Albert F. Keeney, one of the neighborhood’s first settlers, Keeneyville is home to large lots and abundant greenery. With land that was subdivided after expressway expansion plans were announced, buyers with a dream, custom home in mind can find half-acre lots for sale between $150,000 and $200,000. Many homes in the area were built after the 1970s in diverse architectural styles. Keeneyville streets feature Cape Cods and Dutch Colonials, as well as mid-century modern and modern traditional constructions, most costing between $300,000 and $600,000. Most homes sit on lots that are more than half of an acre, with some on the upper end of the price range featuring open floor plans and modern appliances. Expressway expansion cuts commute time down Keeneyville’s proximity to the Chicago expressway system is one of the primary reasons commuters look to move to the area. Currently about 55 minutes from Chicago by car, plans to expand Route 390, formerly known as the Elgin O’Hare Expressway, will speed up residents’ commutes. “The expansion could cut 10 to 15 minutes off,” local Compass real estate agent Matt Mika says. For commuters who prefer public transit, the Metra station in Roselle—just a 10-minute drive away—takes passengers to Downtown Chicago’s Union Station. Business law and engineering high school courses Keeneyville students can attend Waterbury Elementary School for kindergarten through fifth grade, which receives a B-minus from Niche and offers before- and after-school care programs for parents with a long workday. Spring Wood Middle School serves grades six through eight and receives a C-plus. Students can finish their secondary education at Lake Park High School, which receives an A-plus and was named one of America’s most challenging high schools by The Washington Post. The school offers students a head start on career planning with courses like business law and civil engineering and architecture. Stratford Square Mall: Keeneyville’s shopping destination Rookies All-American Bar & Grill quells appetites with its wide selection of pub fare, including fried pickles, barbecue ribs, Philly sandwiches, hot wings and fish tacos. For date night, residents can head to Jameson’s Charhouse. Serving the Chicago suburbs since 1990, Jameson’s is a local, family-run chain specializing in steakhouse favorites, from filet mignon and rib-eye cuts to char-broiled chicken breasts and beef kabobs. Refreshing draft beer and hand-crafted cocktails are also on the menu. Residents can shop for groceries and other household essentials at the local Meijer, Mariano’s or Woodman’s Food Market. Just south of Keeneyville’s residential streets is Stratford Square Mall, an indoor shopping center with over 30 stores like Burlington and Kohl’s. Coachlite Skate Center, a roller rink with concessions and an arcade, is a local option for birthday parties and dreary days. Four miles of walkable nature around Mallard Lake Mallard Lake, an expansive forest preserve, lies just west of Keeneyville’s residential streets. Residents can take a mindful stroll under oak trees and past blooming wildflowers on the preserve’s 4 miles of scenic trails before launching a canoe or kayak on the 85-acre lake. Fishermen cast lines from the lake’s shore, waiting for largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike or catfish to bite. A short drive northeast leads to Goose Lake Park, with its paved walking trails, baseball diamonds, playground and a nine-hole disc golf course. Bloomingdale’s post-Labor Day Septemberfest The Village of Bloomingdale sponsors a summer concert series, beginning every June, in Old Town Park, a short drive away for Keeneyville residents. Folks can bid goodbye to summer the first Saturday after Labor Day at Septemberfest, also held in Old Town Park. Children can enjoy carnival rides and games while adults can catch up in the Lion Club beer tent after the celebratory parade.