Hazel Crest is a Chicago suburb that offers homebuyers access to public green spaces and relatively affordable midcentury homes. “A lot of people move here from Chicago because they prefer to settle down in a suburban community,” says Latisha Williams-Henderson, a Realtor with RE/MAX 10. “There are a lot of family ties here that keep people close as well.” Some of the roughly 13,000 residents find careers at employers like Graycor Construction, May-Jack (a crane manufacturer) and Advocate South Suburban Hospital, which is located within the village. Commuters often take the train 25 miles to Chicago, and two major interstates run through the village.
Relatively affordable single-family homes
“For those looking to purchase starter homes, this would be a suitable market to search,” says Realtor Margaret Banks with Home Sellers Realty. The median single-family home price is roughly $200,000, which is below Chicago’s median and about half the national median. “One downside is that the taxes are much higher than Chicago taxes,” Williams-Henderson says. Most of the homes are priced from $140,000 to $370,000. The north end of the village is made up of ranch styles and split-levels constructed from the 1950s through the ‘80s. Just south of 183rd Street, the neighborhood of Village West is made up of New Traditionals and Contemporary-style homes dating back to the 1990s.
After-school programs with the Hazel Crest Park District
The Hazel Crest Park District offers a daily after-school program, a children’s travel basketball league, a senior bingo program and a summer concert series. The organization also oversees several neighborhood parks with playgrounds and basketball courts. Village West residents have access to a neighborhood clubhouse and tennis courts. There are public golf courses just outside Hazel Crest.
Dining along Kedzie Avenue
Kedzie Avenue has a few local restaurants with casual atmospheres. Most folks travel less than 3 miles east to downtown Homewood for coffee shops, breweries and restaurants serving Argentinian, Chinese and African cuisine. Just west of Pulaski Road, there is a shopping center with a movie theater and multiple big-box retailers.
Several school districts serve Hazel Crest
Three school districts educate Hazel Crest students: Middle and high school students attend Flossmoor School District 161, Prairie-Hills School District 144, and Hazel Crest School District 152.5. The former has a B Niche rating, and the latter two districts have C-minus ratings. School District 161 serves the village with five elementary schools and one middle school; School District 144 operates three elementary schools and one middle school attended by Hazel Crest students; and School District 152.5 serves the village with two elementary schools and one middle school. Most school children move on to Bremen Community High School District 228, which has a B-plus rating.
Access to interstates 80 and 294
Interstate 80 merges with Interstate 294 in the village, causing some noise disturbance. Northeast of I-294, Hazel Crest Proper has access to Hazel Crest station, a rail connection that takes residents into Chicago. Kedzie Avenue is lined with bus stops operated by the Chicago Transit Authority. Interstate 57 takes commuters 25 miles north to Chicago’s downtown, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about 38 miles northwest via I-294.
According to FBI data, the village’s violent and property crime rates are above state and national averages. The violent crime rate has fallen over the past few years, and the property crime rate has remained stable.
Andrea Maldonado brings 16 years of customer service experience to the field of real estate. She also has a degree in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Illinois. She is a Chicago native and comes from a family of real estate investors and entrepreneurs. Her travels around the world help her bring ideas and knowledge from around the globe. She is smart, witty, and persistent, making her an ideal Real Estate Broker to work with. She approaches life with a positive attitude and handles obstacles with grace. Her goal is to help people find the right place and space to lead the life they desire.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
