Quiet, comfortable suburban living in the west Chicago suburbs
Families and folks who appreciate quiet suburban living can find it in Carpentersville, a village on the western end of the Chicago suburbs. Commutes into communities like Elgin and the Windy City proper are straightforward, while the home market is on par with other Illinois areas for value. “It’s one of those older, sleepier towns, and it’s been around for forever. It doesn’t have as much going on as some other places, but you can get more for less,” says Bob Wisdom, co-owner of The Robert Wisdom Team at Re/Max Horizon. Wisdom has more than 30 years of industry experience with selling homes in the western suburbs and beyond.
Dundee is on the east side of the Fox River, which offers outdoor adventures.
Families can appreciate Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary during summer months in Carpentersville.
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1950s to 21st century houses, big and small
Carpentersville’s earliest homes date back to the late 1800s, but development in the village really started to gain steam in the 1950s and 1960s. The west side of the area became a priority for new construction in the 2000s. “The affordability of the homes [in Carpentersville] is everything. It’s a good place for starter homes, but there are options for larger homes that might be more affordable because it's in a town that isn't as known for luxury homes,” Wisdom says. Buyers can find ranch-style, Colonial Revival, new traditional and selected custom houses here. Single-family homes are the most plentiful; townhouses and condos aren’t too difficult to find, making up about a third of the market. With a median sales price of about $265,000, the Carpentersville market skews slightly lower than the medians for the country and state.
Most of the houses in Dundee are on individual lots and surrounded by evergreen trees.
This revival-style house in Downtown Dundee dates back to 1850.
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Learning experiences in Community Unit School District 300
Public school students in Carpentersville are generally zoned for Community Unit School District 300. The district oversees 32 schools and earns an A-minus overall. Schools in the area include the B-plus-ranked Dundee Middle School and the A-minus-ranked Harry D. Jacobs High School. Private options in the area include Immanuel Lutheran School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and holds an A-plus grade.
Dundee Middle School belongs to Community Unit School District 300.
Harry D. Jacobs earns A-minus on Niche.
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Trail life at Raceway Woods Forest Preserve
The Dundee Township Park District serves Carpentersville, West Dundee and the surrounding area. Just east of Main Street, Carpenter Park is one of the village’s key spots for community gatherings and offers everyday amenities like a playground, walking trails and spaces for basketball and softball. Fox River Shores Forest Preserve is a favorite for fishing and boating. To the north, Raceway Wood Forest Preserve is a prime spot for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. Residents experience a traditional Midwestern climate. Cold winters with major snowfall are common, while summers are warm and humid.
Let your kids run and play at the playground located in Lions Park.
Raceway Woods Forest Preserve is a 122-acre open space named after the old track.
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Familiar shopping on Kennedy Drive and Eighth Street
Carpentersville’s most accessible businesses are primarily big box stores, chain dining and a few independent restaurants. On the east side of the village, Kennedy Drive has a Walmart and Village Fresh Market, a grocery focused on Latin and Hispanic goods. At the center of town near Eighth Street, Sticky Fingers Kitchen specializes in spicy wings, while Olive Garden and Popeyes are also around for dinner. Major retailers around this part of town include Jewel-Osco, Home Depot and Aldi.
Duke's Blues-N-BBQ brings southern flavor to Dundee in a converted train caboose.
If you need to go grocery shopping, head to Village Fresh Market in Dundee.
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Concerts at Carpenter Park in the summer
Carpenter Park is one of several parks in the Dundee Township Park District that hosts shows in the annual Concert in the Park series. Local bands take to the stage for residents to enjoy performances in various genres, including blues, jazz and rock. Additional outings await in nearby communities like West Dundee, where the Rookies RocHaus brings in tribute bands and up-and-coming acts each weekend.
The outdoor amphitheater in Carpenter Park is perfect for the Concert in the Park series.
Rookies RocHaus brings in tribute bands and up-and-coming acts each weekend in Carpentersville.
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41 miles west of Chicago
Carpentersville is about 41 miles away from Chicago. A data snapshot released by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning in 2024 indicated that about 20 percent of residents commuted to Elgin and Chicago for work. Major industries include education, manufacturing, retail and food service. Folks looking to save on gas for longer commutes can catch Metra trains from the stations in Big Timber or Elgin, each about 8 miles from the village center. Advocate Sherman Hospital is about 8 miles southwest. Residents traveling beyond Chicagoland can catch flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 26 miles southeast.
Important things to know
According to FBI data, property crime rates in Carpentersville reached a peak in 2017 before declining in the following years. Violent crime remained level each year downward during the 2010s but has been significantly lower since 2022.
Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Dan graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2003. He then started working with the National Home Builder Pulte Homes as a head accountant, analyzing the profit and loss statements and land valuations for the Southern Nevada region. This career allowed Dan to become the number-oriented professional that still benefits his clients today.
Dan leveraged his expertise in both accounting and fourteen years of Real Estate to become a top agent in the region. Drake Property Team prides itself on exceptional customer service, industry-leading market strategies, and strong local market knowledge.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
