Age-qualified community with waterfront manufactured homes
Folks living on the grounds at Willow Lakes Estates can leave some of the work of upkeep to others. This neighborhood caters to an audience who would rather spend their free time kayaking or enjoying games at the clubhouse rather than mowing the lawn or shoveling snow. Sitting on the north end of Elgin near the Fox River, this age-qualified community blends retirement comforts with the charms of the city in the suburbs for homeowners 55 and up. Whether it's spending time on the water at home, venturing into the parks and forest reserves around town or shopping and watching shows in nearby Hoffman Estates, active adults have plenty of options for a vibrant lifestyle.
White cedar trees in the Forested Fen Nature Preserve
The namesake Willow Lake sits at the center of the neighborhood, while a small pond and the Fox River both sit alongside homes on the south end. Community residents can use the boat launch and pier at the center of Willow Lake for some time on the water, and some of the homes along each waterfront nearby have fishing access. The river also connects residents to Elgin’s parks and forest preserves. Just north of the neighborhood, Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve offers spaces for picnics and dedicated spots for kayaking and canoeing. On the river’s east side, Trout Park and Forested Fen Nature Preserve comprise one of the few areas in Illinois where folks can find evergreen white cedar trees. The park also has nature trails and connects to the winding Fox River Trail.
Willow Lake Estates features docks for boating in the summer.
Enjoy a brisk morning walk at Voyagers Landing County Forest Preserve.
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Elgin restaurants and shopping in Hoffman Estates
Most of Willow Lakes Estates is residential, with a small shopping center area on the north side near River Road. The Elks Lodge 737 fraternity club operates here, alongside a boutique offering items for varied spiritual practices. Residents are also about 7 miles east from several well-known stores in Hoffman Estates, easily accessible via Interstate 90. Familiar stops such as Target, Burlington, T.J. Maxx and Cabela’s are available at the Poplar Creek at 59-90 complex.Many of the closest dining options are east of the neighborhood, along Dundee Avenue. Baker Hill Pancake House has been a staple for brunch fare in Elgin since 1995, offering flapjacks, eggs, bacon and more in a cozy setting market by the phrase “LET’S EAT” in big friendly letters over the kitchen counter. Options for Latin food are plentiful, with restaurants such as Taqueria y Antojitos Tere, where large windows bring in plenty of natural light as folks munch on tortas, quesadillas, burritos and breakfast platters. La Tacita de Plata offers Guatemalan dishes and a small convenience section for snacks. One of Elgin’s longest-running stops for fast food is Beef Villa, which started near Dundee Avenue and Liberty Street in January 1970 and has served up Chicago dogs, Italian beefs and Friday fish fry dishes in the five decades since. Right across Liberty Street, Geno Nottolini’s Pizza does thin tavern-style pies, deep dish pizzas and other Italian selections. Fast food stops such as Checkers, Subway and Dunkin’ are also available on the main street.
One of Elgin’s longest-running stops for fast food is Beef Villa.
Options for Latin food are plentiful, with restaurants such as Taqueria y Antojitos.
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Manufactured homes on the banks of the Fox River
Manufactured single-family houses are the primary style of home in Willow Lakes Estates. The neighborhood’s earliest homes were first established in the 1970s and 1980s, with development continuing at a varying pace into the 2010s and 2020s. Properties share a new traditional, ranch-style format, with many homes including garages or carports with space for one to two vehicles. Small fenced-in porch areas at home entrances are common, and most properties have two- to three-bedroom floorplans. Prices range from about $27,000 to $175,000.Buyers are advised that the neighborhood does not have sidewalks connecting individual properties to each other, and features like driveways or entry paths may vary between homes. The neighborhood sits just east of Elgin’s Leo Nelson Riverside Water Treatment Plant; residents may encounter pervasive odors.
Beautiful front porches are on full display throughout Willow Lake Estates.
Willow Lake Estates features a mix of waterfront and standard home lots.
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Important things to know
Willow Lakes Estates’ proximity to the Fox River and the namesake Willow Lake places much of the area at risk for potential flooding of 3 feet or more, according to First Street’s Risk Factor index. Residents near the north end of the neighborhood may also encounter higher noise levels from traffic along Interstate 90.
3 miles north of downtown Elgin
Willow Lakes Estates sits just south of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway section of Interstate 90, a key road for long-distance trips across the northwestern Chicago suburbs. Commuters can expect a 3-mile ride south to reach downtown Elgin, while the Chicago Loop is 25 miles southeast.Several Pace bus stops are available on River Road along the north side of the neighborhood for locals traveling without a car. For direct trips from one point to another, the Ride in Kane paratransit service is also available for people over 65, low-income residents and people with disabilities. Emergency services are available at Advocate Sherman Hospital, 4 miles west of the neighborhood on Randall Road. Locals traveling outside of Chicagoland can catch flights out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport 25 miles southeast.
Shows and sports at Now Arena
Folks living in Willow Lakes Estates don’t have to travel far to find things to do. The community’s clubhouse offers a private library, spots for billiards and table tennis, an exercise room and a heated outdoor pool. East of the neighborhood in Hoffman Estates, the Now Arena hosts concerts from international acts, NBA G-League games with the Windy City Bulls basketball team and shows from touring companies like Cirque du Soleil and All Elite Wrestling.
Willow Lake Estates surrounds the namesake Willow Lake.
NOW Arena host many events and the Windy City Bulls basketball team near Streamwood.
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Just east of Judson University
While most Willow Lakes Estates residents are older adults, the community is zoned for School District U-46, one of the Elgin area’s main school districts. Kids start their learning years at Century Oaks Elementary School, which has a 19:1 student-teacher ratio and a C-plus grade on Niche. Kimball Middle School earns a C grade. Larkin High School offers more than 30 sports programs, including co-ed wrestling, bass fishing and dance teams. The school earns a C-plus grade on Niche.The neighborhood is also adjacent to the campus of Judson University, a private Baptist university with more than 30 bachelor’s programs and 13 post-graduate degree programs. The university earns a B-minus grade on Niche.
Kimball Middle School challenges and encourages children to learn.
Educational opportunities abound at Larkin High School.
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