Forest View is a hidden gem in Chicago Southland
While the neighboring communities of Stickney and Lyons might have more name recognition, the Village of Forest View is probably one of Chicago Southland’s best-kept secrets. “It’s a very small town, so it could be easily missed, but it’s a nice tight-knit community with a lot of seasoned owners,” says Erik Corral, Realtor with RE/MAX Partners.
Buyers will find many mid-20th-century housing options
Housing options here include single-family homes built in the 1950s and ‘60s. Prospective buyers can choose from minimalist designs like bungalows and cottages, or Cape Cods and ranch-styles. Many of these homes feature brick or vinyl-siding and come in pastel shades of dandelion, amber and brown. A stroll down one of this neighborhood’s many tree-lined streets showcases charming homes on tidy plots complete with well-manicured yards. Some homes even feature decorative metallic awnings hanging over doors and windows. The average listing price here is $245,000, but price points vary depending on the age, price and condition of the property. This is the type of community where you’ll spot flagpoles standing tall in front yards, red fire hydrants on every corner and plenty of pristine landscaping to go around. “It’s definitely a quiet area and they’ve got their own library and fire station—it’s truly a little town unto itself.”
Students may attend a few school districts
Students here attend their local district public schools like Home Elementary and George Washington Middle School — which belong to the Lyons School District No. 103 — and the J. Morton Sterling West High School, part of District No. 201. Home Elementary serves over 250 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grades and features a student to teacher ratio of 12:1. In addition, it received an overall ranking of ‘C’ from Niche.com
Harlem Avenue has several casual dining options
For all of the daily amenities, many head over to Harlem Avenue/US Route 45 where they'll find casual eateries like Dunkin Donuts and the Bad Attitude Bar & Grill. With a skunk as their mascot, Bad Attitude is serving up typical pub fare like wings, pizza and grilled cheese at all hours. For groceries, the local Aldi has all the fresh ingredients shoppers need, and, right next door, there's a Marshall's clothing store. For additional retail options residents can also head down Old Route 66/Ogden Avenue, for an even wider assortment of shops and eateries to choose from.
Parks offers sports and historic attractions
For some time outdoors, local Forest View Park is complete with a baseball diamond, open fields and adjacent tennis courts, perfect for challenging friends or rival leagues to a game or two here. Or for a unique experience, there's the Chicago Portage National Historic Site. Located less than a mile from Forest View, this site is marked by a large bronze sculpture denoting past explorers. An integral travel route since the early 17th century, the portage links the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, and played a significant role in Chicago's development. Today while much of the portage has lost its former natural habitat, this particular area of marshland is maintained by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and sits adjacent to the Ottawa Trail Woods. Featuring over 300 acres of forest, residents can enjoy a hike along one of the area’s many trails, or come wintertime join in for some cross-country skiing too.
Commuters are close I-55, local rail and airport
Forest View is located minutes from Interstate-55, local commuter rails and the Midway International Airport. For those who work in the city, they can expect a 30 to 45-minute drive into downtown Chicago, depending on traffic. Or they can hop on the CTA bus or Metra line.
Written By
Michelle Goshen
Photography Contributed By
Justin Schmidt