‘Green and Serene’
While still considered the northwest Chicago suburbs, Green Oaks gives the unique opportunity to live more of a rural lifestyle while still about 40 miles away from downtown Chicago. “There’s a country living vibe with homes on bigger lots,” says Dan Timm, lead broker with the Dan Timm Group at Baird & Warner with over 25 years of experience. “I would call this area green and serene because Lake County has a high percentage of land conservancy, so this land is, and will stay, undeveloped.” The opportunity to have more land and the quality of schools are two primary reasons people live here.
A-rated schools
The Elementary School District covers schools through eighth grade, and for students living in Green Oaks, that’s just one school. Oak Grove School covers kindergarten through eighth grade with an A-grade on Niche. The student-teacher ratio is 12-to-1, with over 900 students in the building. Libertyville High School is part of Community High School District 128 and offers Applied Technology courses, including graphic communications and architectural design. The school is rated an A on Niche, and the average graduation rate is 97%.
Homes with some land
On average, homes in the neighborhood sit on lots that are at least half an acre. Some could have as many as five. The area became residential in the 1920s, but most houses were built in the 1970s after nearby Interstate 94 was built. The newer homes were built in the 1990s and are in a small part of the neighborhood. The prices range from $550,000 to $850,000 and are ranch-style, split-level, Cape Cod and contemporary Tudors and farmhouses. “There are major employers in the area, meaning you may not have to go into downtown Chicago for work, like Abbott Laboratories and Cardinal Health.” Abbott is on the eastern side of I-94 and Cardinal Health is in nearby Waukegan.
Forest preserves and other recreation opportunities
The opportunity for homes to be on bigger lots directly results from the green space and natural areas surrounding the neighborhood. Old School Forest Preserve is over 500 acres and has over five miles of trails, ideal for winter cross-country skiing or walking, biking or jogging during other parts of the year. Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve also has plenty of trails for hiking and biking. Two boardwalks that are found along the trail help protect sensitive wetlands. In the heart of the village of Green Oaks, the Atkinson Open Space Trail is about a mile long and provides shade during hot Chicago area summers. Lambs Farm is a non-profit organization that helps people with developmental disabilities lead productive lives. The farm includes a petting zoo open Tuesday through Sunday. Also on the complex is a playground, a miniature golf course, a café and a bakery.
You might miss Rita’s
Driving past Rita’s Bar & Grill along Rockfish Road would be easy since it is a renovated 1880s house converted into a restaurant. But it’s not something to make a habit of. “They’re known for their Friday fish fry, and they have good clam chowder, too,” Timm says. For a locally sourced spirit or cocktail, stop by North Shore Distillery. Whether it’s a unique citrus vodka or rum flavored with tropical fruit, spice and oak, there’s plenty to sample and purchase. The tasting room is also available to rent out for social or business events. Further east on Rockland Road is a Target and Heinen’s Grocery for shopping convenience. You can pick your own apples at Heinz Orchard, which opens in September and October and prides itself on not being “agritainment.” They do not have hayrides or pumpkins, but they have a variety of apples and have provided the opportunity to pick for over 70 years.
Metra commuter train
Metra trains generally leave hourly from the Libertyville or the Lake Forest stations. Trips into Union Station downtown usually take about an hour. Since many aspects of the neighborhood are rural, there are few sidewalks. Pace Suburban Bus has stops in Libertyville, which is a short drive west. O’Hare International Airport is about 25 miles to the south.
Written By
Jeff Stapleton
