$195,684Average Value$123Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
A hidden gem south of Chicago
Driving through East Hazel Crest, it’s impossible to guess that this pocket of greenery is only a short Metra ride away from the city. Residents here prefer a slower pace of living, enjoying spending time in their homes and on their land and meeting friends at the neighborhood bar on weekends. East Hazel Crest is more affordable than other south Chicago suburbs, and with single-family homes on well-sized lots, residents move here to get bang for their buck. “East Hazel Crest is a very quiet community with proximity to expressways and shopping, and it’s affordable compared to some of the other areas,” says Regina May-Hampton, who’s sold real estate in the south Chicago suburbs for over 25 years. “It’s a little hidden gem.” This could all change soon, though: the construction of a new casino in the neighborhood leaves residents wondering how the development will impact the community.
There are many affordable housing options in East Hazel Crest.
Catch the Metra to Downtown Chicago at the Calumet stop in East Hazel Crest.
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Metra makes commuting to Chicago easy
East Hazel Crest is 25 miles south of Chicago, a 30-to-45-minute drive depending on traffic. The easiest way to get to Chicago is by taking the Metra from the neighborhood’s Calumet station. This nonstop commuter rail gets residents there in under an hour. The Pace Bus also serves East Hazel Crest, and residents can use it to get to nearby suburbs. The closest hospital to East Hazel Crest is UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, three miles north of the neighborhood, and the nearest major airport is Chicago Midway, 17 miles away.
Residents appreciate the convenience of many nearby retail options in East Hazel Crest.
Catch the Metra to Downtown Chicago at the Calumet stop in East Hazel Crest.
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Running errands on Halsted and late nights at the neighborhood bar
Running errands couldn’t be easier than it is in East Hazel Crest, as the neighborhood is home to a vast retail park flooded with big-box retailers like Kohl’s, Petco and The Home Depot, as well as a Jewel-Osco for grocery shopping. Fast-casual chains like Chick-fil-A, Buffalo Wild Wings and Chili’s dot the retail strip, but residents interested in dining locally still have plenty of options. In nearby Homewood, residents enjoy upscale diner food at Grady’s Snack N’ Dine and grab drinks and pub eats at Lassen’s Tap. East Hazel Crest has one bar tucked into the neighborhood called Benos. A long-running hangout with cheap drinks and a free pool, Benos turns neighbors into friends.
Grady's Snack 'N' Dine has excellent breakfast food in East Hazel Crest.
The Jewel-Osco in East Hazel Crest has an abundance of fresh produce.
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Staying active in the Hazel Crest Park District
In the Hazel Crest Park District, kids and adults can participate in various activities to stay healthy and fit. Kids can take karate classes and participate in a youth basketball league, adults can attend basketball open gym hours, and seniors can take cardio drumming classes and attend luncheons. The park district has an after-school program for income-eligible families and also hosts seasonal community events. To spend time outside, residents head south to the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve, a nearly 200-acre collection of woodlands, lakes and dunes where locals go to hike, bike and fish. The preserve hosts educational presentations and an annual Fourth of July picnic. Typically open to members only, the nearby Calumet Country Club is currently holding open tee times for members and non-members alike.
East Hazel Crest residents take advantage of the walking trails at Izaak Walton Preserve.
Golf lovers can check-out Calumet’s Country Club in East Hazel Crest.
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Single-family homes on sizeable, lush lots
East Hazel Crest has single-family homes in various architectural styles, primarily early 20th-century farmhouses and bungalows and midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes. The neighborhood is home to a few manufactured homes, offering a more affordable option, and occasional lots allow buyers to build their dream homes. Neighborhood streets in East Hazel Crest have a much more rural, laidback, woodsy feel than one might expect so close to Chicago. Sizeable lots on uncurbed streets are filled with lush grass and tall, bushy trees. Homes are far enough apart to allow plenty of space but close enough to say hi to passing neighborhoods, and a lack of fencing gives the neighborhood a welcoming and communal vibe. Buyers should be warned: “There’s not a whole lot of inventory,” May-Hampton says. The market moves accordingly, with homes selling after an average of two weeks. Prices start around $100,000 for a manufactured home or a fixer-upper, and homes rarely sell for more than $250,000. The median list price in East Hazel Crest is about $200,000.
Gable roofs are a common sight in the East Hazel Crest neighborhood.
There are many ranch-style homes in East Hazel Crest.
Residents of East Hazel Crest love their raised ranch-style homes in East Hazel Crest.
Residents enjoy their spacious lawns in East Hazel Crest.
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Education options in East Hazel Crest
Students in East Hazel Crest attend preschool through eighth grade at either Barack Obama Learning Academy or Jesse White Learning Academy, both of which received C-minuses on the educational review site, Niche. Then, they continue to Thornwood High School, which received a C and offers the International Baccalaureate program.
Barack Obama Learning Academy has a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 near East Hazel Crest.
Jesse White Learning Academy has a C- overall score according to Niche in East Hazel Crest.
Thornwood High School has 1,987 students in East Hazel Crest.
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The Thornton Public Library unites Chicago’s south suburbs
Locals can get to know their neighbors at the Thornton Public Library, which serves residents in Chicago’s south suburbs. The library offers ongoing programming like book clubs, story times and family movie nights, as well as seasonal events like summer and winter reading programs and an annual Easter egg hunt.
The Thorton Public Library is a great escape for any book lover near East Hazel Crest.
The Thorton Public Library has books available for all ages in East Hazel Crest.
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New casino will bring jobs and entertainment to East Hazel Crest
The neighborhood is currently constructing the 70,000-square-foot Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino, which will feature a 252-room hotel and bring 800 jobs to the area. “It’ll be an economic boost for East Hazel Crest,” May-Hampton says. The casino will also contain a 15,800-square-foot entertainment space, broadly expanding entertainment opportunities in the area. The projected opening date is July 2024.
The village of Hazel Crest East welcomes you to the community!
Residents appreciate the convenience of many nearby retail options in East Hazel Crest.
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Written By
Ellen Daly
Video By
Sara Warthen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
James Beecher,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in East Hazel Crest, IL sell after 1 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in East Hazel Crest, IL over the last 12 months is $156,000, down 42% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this beautifully maintained tri-level home sitting on an incredible 60x295 lot - a rare find you truly have to see to believe! Nestled in a quiet, desirable area, this home offers the perfect blend of comfort and space. Inside, you'll find 3 spacious bedrooms plus a bonus room on the lower level - perfect for a home office, playroom, guest room, or whatever fits your needs. With two
Rebecca Mullner@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Welcome home to this lovely 3 bedroom ranch home on just under half an acre! Step inside to find everything you need on one level! This home boasts a beautifully updated kitchen, newer stainless steel appliances, newer flooring throughout and an updated bath. What more could you ask for? This entire home is light and bright and move in ready! Need extra storage space? The two car garage has pull
CUTE AS A BUTTON!!!! SMALL COZY HOME, SITTING ON A LARGE LOT!! GREAT FOR 1ST TIME HOME BUYERS!! HOME IS LOCATED ON A SMALL QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD BUT CLOSE TO EVERYTHING!!! EASY ACCESS TO EXPRESSWAYS, WALKING DISTANCE TO SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS, BANKS & CASINO!!! HOME FEATURES A LARGE LIVING ROOM THAT CAN EASILY BE COMBINE WITH A DINING AREA**EAT IN KITCHEN WITH A BREAKFAST NOOK THAT CAN BE REMOVED
** House is under surveillance and has alarm system ON ** No Lock box or sentri lock at the propety. House is not advertised on Facebook market place. Showed by listing agent. Beautiful 3 bed room 2 full bath split level single family home, 1 car attacahed garage, fenced backyard. House is completely rehabed. Walkout basement, separte utilty room. New kitchen cabinet, Quartz counter top, brand
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