Decatur

Baker Woods, a residential community beside Decatur's regional airport, surprises with its convenient access to outdoor recreation and transportation options. Its location is central, sandwiched between a nearby country club and a highway leading to retail hubs. Residents are also within a few miles of Lake Decatur, a popular spot for boating year-round. Children can receive their elementary education either inside the neighborhood or from the school within the community directly west of Baker Woods. Outdoor recreation is plentiful around the neighborhood. Baker Woods Estate Park is the area's largest green space, featuring a sizable manmade pond surrounded by mature trees. Play equipment, a concession stand and restrooms are shaded by the canopies. Slightly east, Baker Woods Park offers a smaller public playground and an adjacent picnic shelter. A little over 1 mile to the north is the Country Club of Decatur, an imposing feature of the city's east side. Members can access golf courses, pools, sports courts and other clubhouse amenities. Adjacent to the club is a public access boat launch, allowing residents to hit the waters of the Staley Basin daily. Boats, jet skis, kayaks and paddleboards can all set sail from the dock. The neighborhood's placement beside Highway 36 opens up opportunities for more recreation within 3 miles, like the Scovill Zoo, Children's Museum of Illinois and Slash Cove water park. A major feature of Baker Woods is that it is directly west of the Decatur Airport, a small regional airport. "Despite its size, the airport gets used a lot," says Lori Eaton, area expert and agent at Glenda Williamson Realty. "They just changed over from American to United Airlines. Their flights go back and forth from Chicago O'Hare, so you can really get about anywhere." Although planes can be heard taking off and landing, residents rarely complain about the noise. If anything, more noise comes from the traffic flowing along South Airport Road and Highway 36, two main thoroughfares for the area. Cars attempting to merge onto 36 can occasionally be stopped by an industrial train whose tracks run parallel to the highway. Once on 36, drivers can access other major highways or travel to more populated regions, such as Downtown Decatur and Forsythe. Those who rely on public transportation can catch buses at the stops along South Airport Road. Restaurants and stores lie just below the neighborhood. Illinois State Route 121 is a major retail corridor with various brand names. Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger and Aldi are frequently visited. Chains like Taco Bell, Culver's and McDonald's serve for a quick bite, while Royal International Buffet is popular for a dinner out on a budget. While much can be found in the shopping center, Eaton says, "Decatur is not that large. While people will usually stay over on the east side, it's just as convenient to catch Highway 36 and drive into downtown." Boutique shops, businesses and locally owned eateries populate the city center, accessible within 4-1/2 miles. To the south, Mount Zion also offers plentiful options within 4 miles. The area's housing stock offers both one-story and raised ranches, which sit beside half-brick, half-vinyl split-level homes. Specific homes feature architectural quirks, such as arches, bolder color schemes, earth-colored wood siding and towering columns. Certain sections of the neighborhood pair their lush, green lawns and shade trees with well-maintained sidewalks, while other yards stretch all the way down to the street. Homes throughout the neighborhood typically cost between $135,000 and $170,000, but a small portion of the housing in the northwest ranges between $180,000 and $300,000. A condo community is tucked within the landscape, with listings costing around $70,000. Baker Woods is home to Montessori Academy for Peace, a magnet school option for prekindergarten through eighth grade students. It is the only public Montessori school in Central Illinois. As for assigned zoning, Baum Elementary School is the area's primary school, teaching kindergarten through sixth grade. Seventh and eighth graders attend Stephen Decatur Middle School, which annually holds a medical sciences career day. Both schools earn a C-minus score on Niche. Every year at Eisenhower High School, students participate in Manufacturing Day, which is put on in partnership with Richland Community College. The opportunity informs students about local careers they can seek out after graduation. The school earns a C-plus Niche score.

Bayshore, a lakeside community in South Decatur, is separated from the city center, and locals like it just that way. Streets are tranquil, with very little through traffic and a network of neighbors who know one another. People living on Lake Decatur's shoreline get first access to the water, with private docks sticking out from estate-like properties. Public green spaces are also all around, from a city park to a public fishing pier. Children are less than 1 mile from their assigned elementary school, and a shopping center to the north nearly eliminates the need to head downtown for stores and restaurants. A significant feature of the area is its proximity to Lake Decatur. People living along the shoreline can launch watercraft onto Basin 1 of the lake via private docks. Boaters who live inland must travel about 4 miles north to Lake Decatur Marina if they want to drop a hull in the water, but anglers are less than 2 miles from Fisherman's Warf, a public fishing pier. For a city park experience, South Shores Park is less than a mile from the neighborhood. Kids can play on the little playground while groups get competitive on the ball fields and tennis courts. For those wanting to get closer to nature, Kaufman Lakeside Conservation Area sits at the easternmost end of Bayshore. Phil Julius, Director of Operations at the Macon County Conservation District, says they're working to make the area around the lake more accessible, and much more is planned to make it a hiking destination. "There's no specific timeline, but there is vision." A major goal is expanding the existing hiking trail to the water and implementing public fishing docks. To reach that goal, Julius says they'll focus on "getting the exotic and invasive species crowding the trail under control" so that they can then plan "how to extend the trail over the area's steep ravines in a way that's still ADA-accessible." Bayshore is a vast neighborhood, so home prices vary greatly based on location and size. Most properties cost between $170,000 and $240,000, rarely listing below $130,000. However, homes along the lake can be massive, sporting mansion-like aesthetics and features. Lakeside homes start around $300,000 and usually cap around $700,000, but some can go for as much as $1 million. Home styles are just as diverse as prices, with ranch-style homes sitting next to split-levels, colonial-inspired two-stories, Cape Cods, contemporary homes and entirely custom properties. One thing that stays the same regardless of Bayshore's size is how the community feels about the neighborhood. "Anywhere around here, I can trust that my kids will be safe outside," says Samantha Karch, a South Decatur resident and secretary at the nearby South Shores Elementary School. "I let my 8-year-old walk our dog down the street, and I can trust that my 12- and 14-year-olds to go out and come back home safe." She says many school faculty members also live nearby, and the community is very close-knit. "I can literally find my daughter anywhere in the neighborhood without her having her cell phone because there are so many people that I know in the area." Students living in Bayshore are zoned for South Shores Elementary School, which regularly interacts with and is supported by the communities in South Decatur. "We're always holding events for our families, and we partner with several churches," says Kristi Mullinix, the principal of South Shores Elementary. "We have about six that I can call on a minute's notice and say, 'I have a kid without a coat' or 'We want to do a hot chocolate event,' and they come through. I've never been turned down for anything I've asked for." When kids transition to seventh grade, they head to Stephen Decatur Middle School across the lake. Both schools earn a C-minus score from Niche. High schoolers attend Eisenhower High School, which has a C-plus score and a public safety career program. Bayshore has no stores or restaurants within its borders, but it is less than 2 miles from a small shopping center. South Towne Plaza covers everyday essentials with a Kroger, Circle K, Dollar General and Walgreens. Brand-name fast-food spots sit beside more locally known chains like Monical's Pizza and Lu Lu's Pizza. The Wharf Kitchen and Bar is popular for American comfort food, while Guadalajara specializes in south-of-the-border fare. If residents need more, they can head west down Illinois State Route 105 toward more small-town establishments or cross the bridge over Lake Decatur into the city center. South Shores Drive is the area's main thoroughfare, merging with South Franklin Street Road as it approaches one of the many bridges crossing Lake Decatur. Drivers depend on this road to get to the city center less than 3 miles away. There are no bus stops in Bayshore, and the closest ones are at least half a mile away along South Franklin Street Road. When locals need to catch flights, the area is a little over 7 miles from the Decatur Airport.

On the east side of Decatur, Bayview offers homeowners expansive lake views, not bay waters like its name might suggest. "The fact that Bayview is right on Lake Decatur is a huge selling point," says Lori Eaton, Decatur local and Realtor at Glenda Williamson Realty. "And the neighborhood kind of gives you the feeling that you're not in town. It has an air about it that makes you feel outside the city limits without being too far from anything." The neighborhood's peaceful streets have near immediate access to a public dock, a prestigious country club and a major highway. Residents can quickly drive to retail corridors and the city center in under 4 miles. Students are close to their assigned elementary school as well. Bayview is located along the lakeshore of Lake Decatur, specifically the lake's Staley Basin. While many people living along the shoreline have private docks, inland residents have just as much access to the water. At the neighborhood's northernmost point is Fishing Spot Boat Launch, a public dock where people launch all sorts of watercrafts, from motorboats to jet skis and kayaks. To the east is the Country Club of Decatur, East Decatur's prestigious golf course and clubhouse. Members play rounds on the green, swim in an Olympic-sized pool or work out their tennis arms. Bayview is near two other major recreational destinations; the popular Scovill Zoo is a little over 1 mile south, while Nelson Park and all its amenities are 2 miles west. At Nelson Park, visitors watch outdoor shows at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, make a splash at Splash Cove water park or play putt-putt at Overlook Adventure Park. Residents can shop and dine nearby without entering the city. Decatur Plaza Shopping Center, about 1-1/2 miles south, is home to the Chevrolet Hall Of Fame Museum. Inside the museum is Stix on 36, a laidback full-service bar and kitchen. It pairs casual American fare with pool tables and arcade games. Next door is a Mexican restaurant, a few businesses and a Dollar General. More shopping options are located along Illinois State Route 121, under 2 miles away. Brand names like Walmart, Aldi and Walgreens sit beside various chain restaurants. The thoroughfare also leads down toward Mount Zion, which is 4-1/2 miles south, or locals can cross Highway 36's bridge to get to Downtown Decatur under 4 miles west. The city center offers a variety of boutique shops and locally owned restaurants with outside-the-box menus. For the most part, homes in Bayview are set far back on lots, creating sprawling yards in front of homes. Architectural styles are diverse throughout the area; buyers find ranch-style homes beside split-level homes, bungalows, Cape Cods and completely custom styles. Prices are just as diverse, especially along North Country Club Road, according to Eaton. "Some homes cost around $150,000, while others go for over $1 million. Having a lake view is obviously a contributing factor, but so are house sizes," Eaton says. However, most listings typically hover in the $100,000 to $200,000 range, with larger, sometimes lakeside homes selling between $230,000 and $430,000. In the northeast is the Country Club Villas Condos Subdivision. Condos in this community cost between $270,000 and $450,000. Illinois lawmakers discontinued the state's school choice program at the end of 2023, so students now attend their assigned schools within their zoning. Bayview students are zoned for Baum Elementary School, which is adjacent to the neighborhood. They move on to Stephen Decatur Middle School, which hosts a Career Expo annually to expose students to new and exciting career paths. Both schools earn a C-minus rating from Niche. At the C-plus-rated Eisenhower High School, students can complete an associate degree through dual enrollment courses. Bayview has no public transportation, so most people drive to their destinations via Highway 36 along the neighborhood's southern border. Highway 36 connects to the city center and Interstate 72, a primary pathway to Springfield. North Country Club Road is the primary way people get onto the highway, although traffic can occasionally be stopped by the industrial train that runs parallel to 36. The neighborhood is also 1 mile west of the Decatur Airport, a regional airfield that makes connections to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Country Club is a petite-sized neighborhood on the east side of Decatur. It sits just above an expansive country club but is more likely named for the main avenue that runs through it—North Country Club Road. Other nearby amenities include the Decatur Airport and Illinois State Route 105, which connects to major hubs like Downtown Decatur and Forsythe. The neighborhood's landscape includes lakeside homes with private boat docks, but all who inhabit the area have some form of access to Lake Decatur and its basins. Country Club is strictly a residential neighborhood, but a local favorite for a meal out is right next door. Everyone's East End Grill is tucked into the Decatur Airport, although customers don't need a ticket to enter. The restaurant's pride is its steaks and other meaty dishes, which it locally sources and has delivered fresh daily. A little over 2 miles south is the closest retail corridor, Illinois State Route 121. It features service providers, chain restaurants and brands like Walmart, Kroger and Aldi. On the west side of Lake Decatur, 2 miles away, are all-American dives like New Moon Cafe. The eatery features a full-service dining room, a buffet bar, pool tables and occasional live music. Two doors down, Whit's End Inc. serves southern comfort food ranging from fried chicken to gizzards in a laidback atmosphere. For all other needs, Downtown Decatur is 5 miles from the neighborhood, and Forsythe is less than 10 miles north. "Forsythe is where our big mall is," says Brittany Lamb, Decatur local and Realtor at Brinkoetter Realtors. "It looks far, but really, it's a 15- to 20-minute drive max. Even shorter if you hit the lights right." Country Club is notably beside the Decatur Airport, a small fixture with only a few flights daily. This keeps noise complaints down, but it also doesn't deter travelers. "My daughter just flew in from there from her trip to Orlando," says Colleen Brinkoetter, longtime Decatur local and Realtor at Brinkoetter Realtors. "You can get on a flight there and connect straight to Chicago." Passengers fly with United Airlines and can get almost anywhere once they hit Chicago O'Hare International Airport, as long as they don't mind the layover. Locally, people get around by car, as minimal public transit is available on Decatur's east side. Illinois State Route 105 is directly north, connecting locals to Downtown Decatur in 4-1/2 miles and Forsythe in 9-1/2 miles. The neighborhood is directly north of the Country Club of Decatur, a prominent recreational space on this side of town. People can choose between a regular and social membership, which mainly delineates who can access golf-related amenities and has voting privileges. The club features an 18-hole course, an Olympic-sized pool, tennis and pickleball courts and many other perks. Membership privileges are even reciprocal across seven other Central Illinois country clubs. Boating and jet skiing are also popular pastimes, as Lake Decatur is directly west of the area. Many homes have private docks on the Staley Basin, but public access is available at Fishing Spot Boat Launch, right next to the country club. The neighborhood is entirely made up of single-family residences set in neat lines between dense pockets of trees. Homes are set further back on lawns, and roads prioritize cars over pedestrians since the only streets with sidewalks are to the southwest. Prices can be diverse, says Stephanie Sibthorp, area expert and real estate agent at Glenda Williamson Realty. "There's going to be high and low ends. It's the combination of size and proximity to the water that really determines the price. Acreage, too." Inland homes with less square footage can range between $100,000 and $140,000 and usually come in ranch styles. Larger, lakeside homes in the neighborhood's southwest corner cost between $330,000 and $460,000. Their aesthetics can also come in the ranch-style, but entirely custom designs with two stories are common too. Despite the water being so close, houses rarely experience flooding. As of the end of 2023, Illinois school districts no longer offer school choice, so students attend their assigned schools within their district's zoning. Students are assigned to Baum Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade. Students then move to Stephen Decatur Middle School, which offers a yearly Career Day and Healthcare Expo to expose students to diverse career paths. Both schools earn a C-minus rating from Niche. Students attending the C-plus-rated Eisenhower High School can participate in a program called District 61 Explorer that focuses on public safety careers.