Buffalo Grove

In Northeast Buffalo Grove, residents enjoy a straightforward slice of suburban life. A broad range of housing options, acclaimed schools and a prime location on the give the area a wide-ranging appeal. For folks who prefer convenience and quiet living over bustling areas, the village is a compelling choice to the north of Chicago. “Buffalo Grove has excellent, top-of-the-line schools and well-established communities. I think those are the two biggest draws for homebuyers in the area. Plus, it gives you easy access to Chicago or Wisconsin if you’re going north,” says Jamie Hering, team leader with the Hering Homes Team at Coldwell Banker. Buyers can find a mix of home styles from the mid-20th century to the 2020s in Northeast Buffalo Grove. Some single-family homes employ Colonial Revival and traditional styles from the 1950s and 1960s. Later properties from the 1970s to the present draw influence from Craftsman, new traditional and Colonial Revival sensibilities. Brick is a constant across house styles in Northeast Buffalo Grove; some properties include it alongside vinyl or aluminum for exteriors, while others stick with all-brick styles. Two- to three-bedroom townhomes range from about $250,000 to $430,000 for properties originally built in the 1970s. Newer townhomes built in the 2020s range from about $548,000 to $760,000, typically offering three to five bedrooms. For single-family properties, the area’s earliest homes range from about $170,000 to $440,000, while 21st century homes are available between $660,000 and $955,000. Some areas may have higher flooding risks according to First Street’s Flood Factor index. Pritchett Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through the third grade, while fourth and fifth graders go to Meridian School. Both earn A grades on Niche. Middle-level students attend the A-ranked Aptakisic Junior High School. Adlai E. Stevenson High School was ranked at #6 on U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of Illinois high schools and earns an A-plus grade on Niche. In addition to the school’s academic achievements, the athletic department has won seven men’s fencing state championships and five state championships each for the men’s and women’s gymnastics teams. Select shopping options and numerous restaurants are available near Milwaukee Avenue on the east side of the neighborhood. Woodman’s Food Market has groceries and household items in a big box format and stays open 24 hours a day. Across the street at Pack’d House Vintage, eclectic home décor and retro selections for women and men line the store shelves. Additional mainstream stores such as Walmart, Target and Jewel-Osco are available to the south near Lake Cook Road. For dining out, a mural of a fresh stack of pancakes welcomes guests into the Brunch Factory, where classic American fare meets contemporary décor and cocktail selections. At Galaxy Hot Pot & Sushi, diners can choose from assorted meats, soup bases and side selections to simmer up their perfect all-you-can-eat bowl or choose from the curated menu of sushi rolls. Further up Milwaukee Avenue, there’s Wildfire, an upscale steakhouse chain local to the Chicago area. Live jazz music and a Golden Age of Hollywood theme accompany a menu of filet mignon, halibut and other premium dinner selections. For casual meals nearby, national selections such as Panera, Starbucks and Potbelly round out the area’s dining options. Near Weiland Road on the neighborhood’s west side, Parkchester Park is one of Buffalo Grove’s key recreational areas. Updates made to the park in 2024 include refreshed playground equipment, courts for tennis, basketball and pickleball and dedicated fishing outposts on the pond. Up the street at Veterans Park, a baseball diamond and soccer field sit alongside a memorial dedicated to past and present personnel of the armed forces. Close to Prairie Road on the neighborhood’s north side, Didier Park and Mirielle Park are each nestled within residential areas, making them prime spots to go for a stroll or have a picnic. Dog lovers looking for a place to let their furry friends run wild can stop by Happy Tails Dog Park, just south of the neighborhood. The park has more than 2 acres of space and a walking trail, and residents are required to obtain a permit for entry. Milwaukee Avenue/U.S. Route 45 is Northeast Buffalo Grove’s main north-south connection to greater Chicagoland. Locals can travel east and west with Deerfield Parkway. Chicago is about 33 miles southeast of the neighborhood. Commuters can skip rush hour traffic into the city by catching trains at the Buffalo Grove Metra station, immediately south of Deerfield Parkway at the center of the neighborhood. Highland Park Hospital is 10 miles east of the neighborhood; Northwest Community Healthcare Immediate Care is a closer alternative for non-emergency situations, about 1 mile south of the neighborhood. For trips outside of northern Illinois, flights depart from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 20 miles south of the neighborhood. Close to Weiland Road in the neighborhood, the Congregation Beth Am synagogue hosts volunteering events and ‘Bagels, Brew and Schmoozing’ get-togethers alongside weekly Shabbat worship services. On the same road, the Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion is a local hub for ice skating and hockey. Programs at the complex include skate schools, youth and adult hockey leagues and hosting games for Stevenson High School and Deerfield High School’s hockey teams. Just south of the area, K1 Speed is an indoor go-karting center with two tracks for drivers to test their skills. The center also offers arcade games and billiards, and eagle-eyed motorsport fans may recognize cars driven by pros such as Justin Allgaier and Dan Weldon in the waiting areas. A few streets west, the Buffalo Grove Park District Community Arts Center is a hub for community theater productions, choir shows and family entertainment. Previous shows put on by the village’s Big Deal Productions company include Footloose, Something Rotten and Cinderella.