An array of community festivals and proximity to the iconic Chicago Loop
The Village of Homewood, located 25 miles south of downtown Chicago, offers more than just its proximity to the city. With nationally acclaimed elementary and high school districts, an award-winning park system and a commuter-friendly downtown equipped with Amtrak, Metra stops and convenient exit ramps off Interstate 80 and Interstate 294, it provides convenience and quality of life. With nearly 19,000 residents, Homewood has earned an impressive overall grade of A from Niche and is recognized as one of the finest places to reside in Illinois, according to CNN Money.com.
Homewood is known for its vibrant community life, hosting over 20 outdoor festivals annually and featuring a growing downtown area with a boutique hotel, various shops, restaurants and craft breweries. For those seeking a country club lifestyle, Homewood offers two within its boundaries, complemented by two golf courses located just south of the community in neighboring Flossmoor—an ideal attraction for golf enthusiasts.
The village offers a diverse range of amenities and a thriving community, making it a desirable place to consider living.
HomesCountry clubs, a place for dogs to roam and water fun
Homewood offers a variety of parks managed by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Among these, Apollo Park stands out with its winding walking and biking paths, sprawling athletic fields and play area. Lions Club Park offers a refreshing escape with its inviting pool and thrilling waterslide. For pet owners, Rover’s Run provides a spacious 3-acre fenced-in dog park complete with walking trails.
Dolphin Lake Park beckons visitors with its setting and array of facilities. Here, residents can enjoy everything from a charming clubhouse and small playground to resting benches and a scenic fishing pier. Additionally, Millennium Park presents a dynamic atmosphere, offering a mix of recreational options such as a splash pad, soccer field and roller hockey rink. The park also pays homage to local history with two well-tended memorial gardens—Moss Memorial Garden and Nardoni Memorial Garden. Richard D. Irwin Park welcomes visitors with its serene water fountain, inviting mulch play area and expansive open fields perfect for picnics or sports activities.
For golf aficionados seeking a leisurely day on the greens, both the public Ravisole Country Club and the semi-private Calumet Country Club feature challenging 18-hole championship layouts. Notably, Ravisole has earned acclaim among the top 10 public and private courses in Illinois by Golfweek, making it a must-visit destination for golf enthusiasts of all skill levels.
SchoolsSipping and savoring in downtown Homewood and festive annual events
Retail shopping and restaurants are primarily concentrated in downtown Homewood, situated between Harwood Avenue and Dixie Highway. Additionally, South Halstead Street, located on the east side of the community, offers some retail options and dining establishments. Along South Halsted, residents can visit Park Place Plaza shopping mall, home to major anchor stores like Target, Jewel-Osco and The Home Depot. This area also features chain restaurants such as Starbucks and Chili’s Grill & Bar.
In downtown Homewood, locals have the opportunity to support a variety of locally owned eateries and breweries, including Fifth Quarter Tap, Grady’s Snack N’ Dine and Lassen’s Tap. For those seeking a more upscale dining experience, La Voûte Bistro offers modern French cuisine. Notably, the Maple Tree Inn stands out as a culinary gem, having been ranked among the top 50 best southern restaurants in the country.
Near Harwood Avenue, residents can conveniently access the boutiques and shops in the area thanks to the Homewood Metra Station and Pace bus services.
The excitement doesn’t end with shopping and dining. Homewood hosts a diverse array of community events throughout the year. Traditional celebrations like the Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service, 4th of July Parade and Haunted Halloween Contest are staples on the village calendar. Additionally, residents can enjoy unique events such as the Beach Ball Scavenger Hunt. GottsChalk-the-Walk is a vibrant street art festival where local artists collaborate to transform the sidewalks near the historical GottsChalk House. During the holiday season, Homewood’s Holiday Lights celebration enchants spectators with festive decorations, carolers and appearances by beloved Disney characters like Anna and Elsa.
Quick home sales and diverse housing landscape
In Homewood, homes typically sell faster than the national average, spending an average of 28 days on the market compared to the national figure of 41 days. The average sale price for homes is approximately $237,000.
The housing landscape in Homewood predominantly features Colonial-inspired, ranch-style and split-level homes, with occasional variations such as Tudor and Cape Cod styles. These homes typically range in size from just over 1,000 square feet to nearly 2,000 square feet of living space. Most residences are well-maintained, offering three and four bedrooms and multiple bathrooms. Prices for homes in Homewood typically range from $180,000 to $370,000.
For those seeking newer properties, Mallards Landing community off Kedzie Avenue presents an option. These homes, situated on single lots, feature stately brick and stone exteriors and offer ample interior space, often exceeding 3,000 square feet. Additionally, many of these homes come equipped with multiple-car garages.
Properties near Harwood Avenue benefit from proximity to key transportation hubs such as the Homewood Metra Station, Amtrak and the Pace bus stop.
Low student-teacher ratios and post-secondary opportunities
Homewood School District No. 153 has an impressive overall Niche score of B-plus, with standout performances in categories such as teachers, diversity, clubs/activities and food quality. Serving a student population of over 1,900 from pre-K through 8th grade, the district maintains a commendable student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
For secondary education, students transition to Homewood-Flossmoor High School, located nearby in Flossmoor. Renowned for its excellence, the high school achieves an outstanding Niche score of an A, with particular acclaim for diversity, teachers, sports, clubs/activities and administration. The student-teacher ratio at Homewood-Flossmoor High School stands at 14 to 1, ensuring personalized attention and support for students.
Metra and Pace keeps residents on the go
In addition to Homewood Metra Stations and the Pace bus which has stops along Park Avenue and Harwood Avenue, Homewood also has a commuter-friendly downtown with Amtrak and Metra stops and convenient exit ramps off Interstate 80 and Interstate 294.
For air travel, the nearest full-service airport is Chicago Midway International Airport, located approximately 16 miles away. Serving major airlines such as Delta, Southwest and Frontier, Midway International provides convenient access to domestic and international destinations.
Average crime rates with commendable police visibility
Homewood receives an overall crime score of a C-plus from Niche, indicating an average crime rate compared to the average U.S. city. This includes violent and property crimes during a standard year. The score also indicates that the city received praise for police visibility and responsiveness.
Overall, Homewood embodies a vibrant community with diverse amenities, highly ranked schools, and convenient transportation options. Its thriving downtown, picturesque parks and rich cultural scene offer a high quality of life for residents.
Jennifer desire to become a Broker date back to 2004 when her father started L. Upshaw Realty, Inc. He once told her that she can do anything she wants in this world there are no limits. As she watched her father and her brother help others become homeowners and heard the stories of how they assisted others in making their dreams come true, she received her Real Estate Broker’s license in June 2017 and she is eager to help others in a way she has never been able to before. For the past 15 years, she has been working in the healthcare field. After graduating from The University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science in 2006, she decided she wanted to become a nurse. She went to Lewis University to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and she has been working as a Registered Nurse since 2013. As your Broker. She is looking forward to working with you and providing you with an excellent home buying, selling or renting experience!
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.
