Bolingbrook

This southwestern suburb of Chicago features immediate access to U.S. Interstate 55 and a range of housing options with a small-town feel. Strolls along the paved paths with lake-front views are common here, along with shoreline fishing and bird sightings at nearby Lake Renwick Preserve. Lakewood Falls offers a tranquil suburban environment with the option of amenities from the local Homeowners Association. The community is highly sought-after for its well-rated school district, maintained streets and modern architecture with homes constructed in the late-1990s. “Lakewood Falls features affordable starter homes with large yards, attracting young families and professionals into the area,” says long-time local Kayla Rembert, Realtor with Rembert Blount Property Group at Keller Williams Infinity. With such a desirable location and community-oriented atmosphere, Lakewood Falls is an attractive place for individuals and families looking to settle in the Chicago suburbs. Streets are tree-lined and well-maintained, offering wide roads for travel and paved sidewalks for strolls around the lake. Home ownership is high here with single-family homes dominating the area. Multi-family options are also common. The community boasts a variety of subdivision options from those that benefit from the Homeowners Association amenities in Lakewood Falls to newly-constructed properties in Willow Run and those in multi-family housing in areas like Deerpath Community. Benefits of the Lakewood Falls HOA include access to a clubhouse, community pool and outdoor tennis courts. Lakewood Falls features a variety of home styles ranging from Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals to Ranch-styles and multi-family duplexes. With a median sales price of $300,000, homes here range from the high $100,000s for a two-bedroom duplex to upwards of $800,000 for a newly-constructed four-bedroom New Traditional. “Residents own their land when buying a duplex here, and it comes with a private backyard, which doesn’t often happen with multi-family housing,” says Francine Caliendo, Broker with RE/MAX of Naperville. Some homes here offer lakefront views, while others remain within walking distance. Homes with lakefront views are subject to increased price points here. Homes often feature modern designs with attached garages and fenced backyards fronted by spacious lawns with enough room for shrubbery and a tree or two. Students can attend Lakewood Falls Elementary, Indian Trail Middle, and Plainfield East High School, which respectively received ratings of B, B-plus and A from the educational review site, Niche. Lakewood Falls Elementary School offers before and after-school care in partnership with the local YMCA through their KidZone program. Indian Trail Middle School serves over 600 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. Plainfield East High School offers a rigorous curriculum with 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses for students to prepare for higher education. Private options like Little Explorers Christian Montessori School are also common here. When seeking time outdoors, residents can take advantage of the green space at Lakewood Falls Community Park, which is perfect for playing fetch with the family dog. In addition to ample running room, the park features a mulched jungle gym with a variety of updated climbing options for children to enjoy. Dine on-the-go at Bruce Ponti Memorial Park, which offers paved walking paths and benches around the pond, where sightings of geese, ducks and frogs are common. Hockey enthusiasts are in luck with Canlan Sports nearby, offering 3 NHL-sized ice rinks, a sports shop and a concession stand. Visitors can free-skate or enroll in their hockey and skating programs for both children and adults. With Lake Renwick Preserve nearby, locals can explore the 200-acre preserve, which features shoreline fishing at the Turtle Lake Access, a 3-mile paved bike trail at Lake Renwick Bikeway and a chance of Great Blue Heron sightings among a variety of bird species. Residents can shop at Louis Joliet Mall, which offers a variety of department stores and retailers, like Macy’s, JCPenney and Foot Locker. While groceries and everyday essentials can be found nearby at stores, like Wal-Mart, Jewel-Osco and Aldi. When dining in the area, locals can start their day at Niko’s Breakfast Club for a relaxed dining experience and a classic brunch menu with hearty portions. Or check out Burritos Mi Tierra for traditional Mexican fare and slow-cooked pork tacos. For a variety of sushi options, visit Sushi Train Japanese Restaurant for their iconic Godzilla roll and authentic Japanese cuisine. Lakewood Falls is primarily car-dependent and residents rely on I-55 and West Taylor Road for easy access into Bolingbrook and neighboring areas like Weslake and Carillon. When seeking public transportation, the Romeoville Metra Station is only 6 miles from the community. Those interested in traveling further outside Lakewood Falls can utilize the Chicago Bolingbrook International Airport 6 miles away. For healthcare, residents are only 7 miles from UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook. Every year, the Lakewood Falls Association hosts events from the Egg Hunt at Bruce Ponti Park to the Touch a Truck event and the notable Fourth of July fireworks show. At the end of March, board members and volunteers spread more than 10,000 eggs for a large hunt where more than 600 children participate. The Touch a Truck event features opportunities for children to explore and climb aboard fire trucks, dump trucks and vehicles of all types to foster relationships with participating community members. On July 4th, the Lakewood Falls Firework Show is held at Bruce Ponti Park, behind the Creekside Elementary School and is known as one of the best displays in the area.

Situated between the communities of Bolingbrook and Naperville, Whalon Lake offers a spacious suburban lifestyle in the growing western Chicago suburban area. Residents have easy access to the converted quarry lake that lends the area its name, but are also a stone’s throw away from ample shopping options and beloved places to enjoy other elements of the vibrant Illinois landscape. “The parks in Bolingbrook are some of the best in the Chicago suburbs. They put on a wide variety of activities for kids and adults,” says Edward Lukasik Jr., owner and broker of RE/MAX Professionals Bolingbrook and lifelong resident of the village. New traditional architecture is a common sight among homes in Whalon Lake, though the specific interpretations of that look can vary from home to home. Most of the area’s housing was built between the early 1970s and the 1990s. Older homes with split-level designs generally sell between $300,000 and $370,000. From there, newer grand homes with influences from Queen Anne and Greek Revival styles pop up, with hexagon and palladium windows pointing to the visual inspirations for nearby homes. Prices for these generally range from $400,000 to $800,000. Students in the Whalon Lake area are primarily served by the Naperville 203 School District, though kids living on the southeast end of the neighborhood may be assigned to schools in Valley View School District 365U. The area’s youngest students attend Kingsley Elementary School, which has a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 and holds an A grade on Niche. Lincoln Junior High School offers more than 15 athletic and extracurricular programs and also earns an A grade. Naperville Central High School is well-known for its academic performance, earning an A-plus grade on Niche, but also acts as the resting place for ‘Butch’, a 2000-year-old Egyptian mummy donated to the school in the 1940s. Whalon Lake residents have access to a true abundance of recreational options. The lake that lends the neighborhood its name is a prime spot for fishing, with bluegill, catfish and crappie among some of the species residents can find. The nature park surrounding the lake also offers a 12-acre fenced dog park, offering the ultimate destination for furry friends across the area. Just south of the lake, the East Branch DuPage River runs across the neighborhood, offering additional space for residents to take kayaks or small boats. The DuPage River Greenway Trail runs alongside the river through the neighborhood, a 2.5 mile stretch for residents to bike or go rollerblading. The neighborhood is also home to the Hidden Oaks Preserve, where residents can enjoy biking and cross-country skiing depending on the season. The preserve’s indoor facilities at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center are undergoing renovations, set to be completed in late 2024. Many of Whalon Lake’s businesses are localized to the areas near West Boughton Road, to the south of the area’s homes. Residents can prepare their own Korean barbeque meals with the tabletop grills at Wabi-Q BBQ & Hot Pot, stop by Honey Jam for brunch and strawberry-garnished mimosas or visit Mandy’s Soul Food Kitchen for fried chicken, pork chops or catfish with all the fixings. Target, Jewel-Osco, Aldi and Meijer locations are available to check off every item on the shopping list, alongside other specialized big box stores. Locals can also find multiple shops for cultural cuisine, including Halal Mart, Jofen Oriental and Bismillah Market. Whalon Lake sits about 33 miles west of the heart of Chicago and 15 miles east of Aurora. Residents’ primary connections to the area are through Boughton Road and Royce Road, the two major east-west thoroughfares. Locals can also easily reach the Interstate 355 highway by traveling further east. For medical emergencies, residents are about 5 miles away from the UChicago Medicine Advent Health Bolingbrook hospital. Long-distance flights depart from Chicago Midway International Airport, 26 miles northeast of Whalon Lake, and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 29 miles north. Entertainment options are plentiful for Whalon Lake residents. Regal Bolingbrook and Star Cinema Grill each screen first-run mainstream films. Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill regularly brings tribute bands, trivia and bingo to its black box stage each week, along with seasonal programming and pop-up shopping days. To the neighborhood’s east, Ashbury’s at Boughton Ridge lets residents enjoy cocktails and pub fare with prime views of the nine-hole Boughton Ridge golf course. Residents near Whalon Lake are close to a local processing facility for Vulcan Materials, a supplier of rock and resources for construction projects.

The village of Bolingbrook lies in Will and DuPage counties along Interstate 55, which replaced a portion of Historic Route 66. In 2023, Fortune magazine named Bolingbrook No. 48 out of 50 of the best places in the country for families to live. It beat out the remaining 1,850 locations considered in the ranking. The Illinois village's winning attributes included well-regarded schools, outdoor amenities and attractions like the aviation museum and the only indoor-outdoor water park in the state. As a town built in the 1960s, Bolingbrook has homes older than those in some other southwestern Chicago suburbs. Common types are split-level, raised-ranch, and ranch-style homes. Single-family homes and townhouses dating to the 1970s through the 2000s often are two-story buildings with attached garages in the front. Some subdivisions require monthly homeowners association fees of $140 to $250. Prices have ranged from $160,000 for a 1,000-square-foot ranch-style home, to over $400,000 for a contemporary house with over double the space. "It's affordable for many people," says Austin Weiss, Realtor and owner of Austin Weiss Home Advisors, powered by Keller Williams Realty Infinity. He hosts the YouTube channel "Living in Chicago, Illinois" and is familiar with the area, as it's close to where he grew up. Weiss sees nearby Naperville's popularity affecting home sales in Bolingbrook, as those priced out of Naperville could buy here. "Houses go for a premium, and they might get more for their dollar in Bolingbrook." Kids may attend public schools like Bernard J. Ward Elementary, graded B-minus by Niche, and Brooks Middle School, graded B-plus. Students stay engaged at Bolingbrook High, graded A-plus, with activities like marching band, chess, Scholastic Bowl and more than 15 sports teams. All three are in the Valley View Community Unit School District 365U. "The more desirable area for schools is west of King's Road," Weiss says, referring to districts with somewhat higher rankings. According to Niche, District 365U, with an A-minus, is ranked third in Will County. There are many parks in Bolingbrook, so usually, one is within walking distance of home. Weiss says many of the parks are phenomenal, in fact. "I don't think they get enough credit," he says. Among these, Wipfler Park has a playground, baseball and soccer fields, and spaces for roller hockey, volleyball and picnicking. Central Park Skate Plaza and Rocket Ice Skating Rink are popular venues for fun and exercise on boards or blades. Around Bolingbrook are forest preserves, golf courses, lakes and rivers, including DuPage and Des Plaines. Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park is not just a summertime destination, as there are indoor pools for open and lap swimming. It's the only water park of its kind in the state. The Promenade Bolingbrook's open-air mall is home to over 60 businesses, from department stores and restaurants to an arcade, an axe-throwing venue and a comedy club. Ikea is very close by as well. Pheasant Hill Plaza and Bolingbrook Commons are other shopping areas packed with eateries and stores. Grocers in the area include Tony's Fresh Market, Meijer and Aldi. For upscale dining, Goat & Vine Winery treats with signature dishes and accompanying wine selections. There's plenty more, from fast food to Mexican, soul food to sports bars. Pace Suburban buses are available for trips close to home. For longer distances and commuting, Metra stations within a 10-mile drive include Lisle, Belmont and Downers Grove, where trains run on the BNSF line from Union Station to Aurora. Residents can access two interstates at the junction of 55 and 355. Taking 55 east, it's about 30 miles to downtown Chicago. Air travel is also an option for those with a pilot's license, as there's Bolingbrook's Clow International Airport. The small public facility is also the site of the Illinois Aviation Museum. For the major airlines, O'Hare International Airport is about 30 miles away. There's a love of the arts in Bolingbrook. Its full-time community theater, Theatre-on-the-Hill, regularly performs and offers theater education year-round. Literature lovers can peruse the shelves at Fountaindale Public Library District. The library has a state-of-the-art digital media center, a maker lab and a micro pantry. Residents enjoy events and activities such as crafting clubs, story times and STEAM learning groups. Seasonal and special events are held in parks and at The Promenade. There's Fall Fest, a Holiday Market and The Festival of Lights Winter Walk, which includes hot chocolate with Santa, a tree-lighting ceremony, bonfires, and s'mores. In May, the three-day Memorial Day Carnival is well-attended, and later, summertime markets are filled with local vendors each week. For something a little different, tethered hot-air balloon rides with lift-off at the airport are available at pop-up events or by reservation.

Nearby shopping opportunities and neighboring parks comprise this subdivision

Situated in the heart of Bolingbrook, Poplar Park is a suburb with a firmly rooted feel and a healthy dose of green space. The neighborhood’s park, which shares its name, is a gathering place for residents year-round thanks to its indoor and outdoor aquatic center. Even beyond the park, though, this established neighborhood has some big benefits. “People pick Poplar Park because of the convenient access to the highway and because the prices are more affordable compared to some of the surrounding areas,” says David Boris, a Realtor with Lincoln & Assoc. Real Estate who recently sold a home in the neighborhood. Despite the major thoroughfares and shopping corridors just beyond its borders, Poplar Park retains a residential, relaxed feel, where sidewalks connect families to playgrounds and pools. The neighborhood gets its name from the park on its northwest border, Poplar Park. The park features a creative cabin-themed playground, with tables and benches for parents to sit and watch. Or, the whole family can go for a walk along the paved, forested paths that encircle the park’s pond. Adjacent to the park is the Bolingbrook Recreation and Aquatic Complex, which features a gym, fitness center and — perhaps most popular with kids — the Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park. Residents can cool down on hot days with a wild ride down the water slides or swim some laps indoors even in the winter months. Wide, flat streets curve gently through neighborhood, with broad-canopied oaks stretching providing shade over the sidewalks by day and streetlamps providing light by night. Nearly all homes in Poplar Park were built in the 1970s, and popular styles of the time like ranch-style, split-level and bi-level houses are common here. Instead, homes are set apart by modest decorative landscaping from shrubbery to flowerbeds and by fenced-in backyards with playsets or barbecue pits. According to Boris, the neighborhood’s established nature means that a lot of older residents who are downsizing have been putting their houses on the market, and homes are selling fast. The median for the neighborhood is roughly $290,000, with limited wiggle room in the pricing range. A three-bedroom home on the smaller side might list for $210,000, while a spacious four-bedroom can sell for $350,000. Kids can attend public schools in the Valley View Community Unit School District No. 365-U. Independence Elementary kickstarts students’ education and earns a B-minus grade from Niche, while Jane Addams Middle scores a B-plus. Bolingbrook High, which receives an A-minus, gets students involved with its nearly 80 clubs and activities, ranging from hobby groups to performing arts troupes to academic and service clubs. Retail centers are located along major thoroughfares just beyond the neighborhood, with nearly everything residents could need within a 10-minute radius. One cluster of chain restaurants and shops lies near the intersection of Weber Road and Boughton Road. Here, residents can grab groceries from Target or Meijer, find other everyday goods at big-box stores like Home Depot and Best Buy or catch a movie at Regal Bolingbrook. Local restaurants are scattered throughout the area, from all-American sports bars like Tailgaters to international cuisines like Wabi-Q BBQ and Hot Pot. For even more shopping options, Bolingbrook Promenade is roughly 10 minutes away and houses an array of brand-name retailers, including a nearby Ikea. Most residents of Poplar Park rely on cars to get around, though Pace buses do have stops nearby on major roads like Lily Cache Lane. With Interstate 55 to the south, residents have an express ticket to hop on the highway and drive to Chicago in about 40 minutes. Or, they can plan their next trip through Chicago Midway International Airport, roughly 35 minutes away. Emergency care is also within arm’s reach, with UChicago Medicine AdventHealth hospital near the Interstate.

Named for the area’s local green space, Balstrode Park is a residential neighborhood within the village of Bolingbrook with easy access to local schools and restaurants. “Bolingbrook is known for its park districts and community events,” says Edward Lukasik Jr., owner and broker of RE/MAX Professionals Bolingbrook and lifelong resident of the village. Community events and 5k races through the park are common here, making Balstrode Park a place to meet people and get outside. Students living in Balstrode Park may attend schools within the Valley View Community Unit School District No. 365, which has an overall A-minus grade from Niche. Though it is less than 2 miles across, this neighborhood still has several different residential options available. Three-bedroom ranch-style homes from the 1970s and 1980s can cost between $250,000 and $300,000. Split-level residences with brick and wood siding with two to three bedrooms cost around $280,000 and can reach over $320,000. Claridge Estates on the southeast side of the neighborhood designs its houses in contemporary styles, with light exterior colors and spacious floor plans. Most with four or more bedrooms cost between $450,000 and up to $500,000. Students in Balstrode Park may first attend Jamie McGee Elementary School, which Niche gives a B grade. They can then attend Jane Addams Middle School, which ranks a B-plus and hosts a board games and book club that always ends with Pictionary. Bolingbrook High School, which earns an A-minus, is ranked the No. 8 best public high school in Will County according to Niche. Students here can learn new skills and make friends at dozens of club options, including the archery club, Model United Nations and the student newspaper. “Our waterparks are nationally ranked, and there are a lot of things for families to do and for kids to participate in,” Lukasik says. Balstrode Park has a cricket pitch, soccer field, playground with an area for younger children and a wooden pavilion with tables. A walking path connects Balstrode Park and Volunteer Park, which is home to Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park and the Bolingbrook Recreation Complex. Pelican Harbor has both indoor and outdoor pools, so neighbors can enjoy the water year-round. The recreation complex is a state-of-the-art community center with a huge gymnasium, multi-purpose room, community rooms and men’s and women’s fitness locker facilities. North Weber Road has many familiar fast food and restaurant chains. There is also a Ko Sushi, an informal local staple with fresh sushi and an all-you-can-eat lunch special. Covo is a counter-serve Greek restaurant with classic fares like gyros, pitas and salads. Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy is the perfect place for frozen treats or fresh milk. For everyday errands, the local Meijer, Lowe’s and Target are just north of the neighborhood on North Weber and West Boughton Road. Fun movie nights are spent at the Regal Bolingbrook Theater across the street. Chicago’s bustling downtown is only 35 miles away via Interstate 88 or Interstate 55, so commuting in the morning may take an hour or more. O’Hare International Airport is about 32 miles north via Interstate 88 and then Interstate 294. Leaving early for a flight is necessary when traffic starts to get congested throughout the day. Copley Memorial Hospital is about 10 miles and around 20 minutes to the northwest in case of an emergency. Though Bolingbrook’s Clow International Airport is right in town, it is predominantly used for smaller, personal aircraft and is home to the Illinois Aviation Museum. The Balstrode Park community participates in a few annual events each year, the most notable being their Fall Fest in late September and Parkie’s 5k. Fall Fest is a free afternoon of fun for the whole family at the Bolingbrook Recreation and Aquatic Complex. With a DJ, food vendors, a pumpkin patch, games, contests and dancing, the Fall Fest is a huge hit for locals who like to get outside one last time before the cold starts setting in. Parkie’s 5k takes place in August, where participants can register to run, walk or push a stroller on their flat, fast course. There are prizes for those who finish the 5-kilometer race, as well as awards for top finishers in different age and gender categories. Registration fees are cheaper if bought before July 31st and start at $29 for adults and $27 for children.