It may seem like a paradox, but it’s Sauganash. “The great thing about it is that it’s literally considered a suburb within the city,” says Steve Porter, a real estate agent with Redefined Residential, who specializes in the area. Located within the northern cusp of city limits, Sauganash offers buyers a suburban feel at a lower price point than nearby North Shore communities.
Housing in Sauganash runs the gamut, both in pricing and in architecture. Ranches and split-levels range from $300,000 to $500,000, while multi-storied homes usually cost between $500,000 and $800,000. The variety of architecture is what makes Sauganash stand out. Tudors, Georgians, colonials, as well as the occasional French eclectic home, tower over front lawns. Driveways are often built in front of houses to conserve space, but homeowners can easily park along the wide sidewalks that parents use to walk their children to class. While the neighborhood is known for its stunning homes, built in the first half of the century, that put it on the National Historic Registry, many have modern additions. New builds that sell around the $1 million mark are available as well.
Sauganash in known for its schools, both public and private. “It’s one of the last few walk-to-school neighborhoods,” says Pat McEneely, real estate broker with @properties, who both sells and resides in the neighborhood. Sauganash Elementary School, for kindergarteners through eighth graders, receives an A-minus from Niche and earned a 2021 Thrive Award for its dedication to school improvement. Queen of All Saints Elementary School—a private, Catholic option—is highly regarded in the neighborhood and earns a B grade. Children can then attend William Howard Taft High School for seventh through 12th grade, which also receives a B and features an International Baccalaureate program, as well as more than 70 sports teams and clubs.
A short drive from the metropolis that is Downtown Chicago, Sauganash is rich with nature and outdoor activities. Residents can play their sport of choice on any of Sauganash Park’s two baseball fields, four tennis courts, basketball court or football and soccer combination field. The park also features a playground for younger kids, as well as a variety of extracurricular activities for other age groups, from kids’ soccer and adult pickleball to piano lessons inside its Tudor-style auditorium and assembly hall. Residents can bike, walk or skateboard through the park along Valley Line Trail, otherwise known as Sauganash Trail, into nearby LaBagh Woods. There, they can enjoy a picnic at the LaBagh Woods nature preserve and take in views of a mossy pond or the North Chicago River, as well as glimpses of sparrows, red-tailed hawks, mink and other wildlife that peeks through the trees.
Residents can stop by City’s Edge for craft cocktails and barbeque sandwiches, or head to Stefani Prime, in neighboring Lincolnwood. With white-tablecloth service and an upscale Italian menu with prime cuts of beef and seafood, residents can celebrate milestones in style here. For nights in, there’s a neighborhood Whole Foods. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream is a fan-favorite in the summer, too—families can enjoy their sweet treats on the Adirondack lawn chairs outside, or take in the over-the-top, seasonal interior décor.
Sauganash’s location is one of its major draws—bordered by Interstate 94, it’s an easy drive to both the city center and the suburbs of Chicago. Sauganash residents who want access to great schools and nature can easily commute Downtown, while those working in Chicago’s suburbs can still live close to the city center. While most Sauganash residents own a car, Chicago’s Metra commuter rail system picks up passengers at nearby Edgebrook and Forest Glen stops. For further, out-of-town trips, Chicago O’Hare International Airport is only a 20-minute drive.
The Sauganash Community Association, a voluntary organization, plans two of the community’s major events: the Bob Perkaus Memorial 5K run, as well as the Fourth of July Parade and Picnic. Complete with marching bands and a firetruck, the Fourth of July Parade concludes with a flag raising ceremony every summer. Block parties are common here, too.
Sue Hall
@properties Christie's International Real Estate
(630) 749-9031
196 Total Sales
1 in Sauganash
$425,000 Price
Debra Dobbs
Compass
(866) 891-0062
283 Total Sales
1 in Sauganash
$726,000 Price
Jim Streff
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
(773) 389-2807
298 Total Sales
1 in Sauganash
$435,000 Price
Katrina & George de los Reyes
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
(630) 580-0919
303 Total Sales
1 in Sauganash
$1,300,000 Price
Dave Johnson
City and Field Real Estate
(872) 228-2280
90 Total Sales
1 in Sauganash
$489,900 Price
Leticia Jimenez
@properties Christie's International Real Estate
(844) 943-0683
86 Total Sales
1 in Sauganash
$963,000 Price
On average, homes in Sauganash, Chicago sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Sauganash, Chicago over the last 12 months is $577,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Residential bungalow neighborhood with hiking trails, parks and restaurants
A north Chicago suburb with a diverse selection of multicultural eateries
