West Island Lake is sandwiched between the flowing Fox River and the serene Island Lake. With quietly winding residential streets, wooded areas and nature preserves, West Island Lake provides its residents with a tranquil atmosphere while being just a few miles away from larger towns like Crystal Lake and Wauconda.
The average listing price in the area is $260,000, making it slightly more affordable than East Island Lake and other surrounding neighborhoods. For around $200,000, you’ll find two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhomes with 1,300 square feet and two-car garages. Occupying the upper end of the housing market are five-bedroom, early 21st-century waterfront homes with private lake access and over 3,000 square feet.
A selection of homes on the neighborhood’s west side back up to the Fox River, which spans over 200 miles from southern Wisconsin to Ottawa Illinois. Many more waterfront homes can be found along the shores of Island Lake. “It’s a great place for those who like to fish or boat,” says Cornelia Wismer a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who has lived in the area for over 25 years. “A lot of people have private docks, and there are a few public boat launches on the lake.”
“We have a good school system here,” continues Wismer. “So it’s a popular place for homebuyers moving with small kids.” Young learners here can head to Cotton Creek School, which earns a B-plus overall Niche grade. Cotton Creek hosts a selection of after-school programs for students and families, including Girls on the Run, STEAM club and family math nights. Heading to the east side of Island Lake will take you to Matthews Middle School, home of the Mustangs. Matthews Middle also earns a B-plus overall grade from Niche and A-minus ratings in the categories of teachers and diversity. After graduating from the eighth grade, students can head to Wauconda High School on North Main Street, which offers a wide range of interest-specific courses, from sports marketing and entertainment to technical theater design and construction.
Living in West Island Lake means you’re never far from waterfront parks and outdoor recreational areas. Head to Dorothy Beach to lounge on the sand, enjoy a lakeside picnic or go for a rejuvenating swim in the designated swimming area. Driving south along Roberts Road will take you to Fox Trail Park, where you can practice your pitch on one of the baseball diamonds, take a stroll along the gravel loop trail or bring the kids for a fun afternoon at the playground.
After a full day of recreation, visit Nancy’s Pizza to pick up some classic Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas, and don’t forget to place an order of cannoli for dessert. Sideouts Sports Tavern is a popular local spot known for its bowling, live music and sand volleyball tournaments. Before heading home, residents can stop by the nearby Jewel-Osco to cross some things off their grocery list. Prefer growing your own produce? Residents of Island Lake can rent plot space at the Victory Garden, located within Veteran’s Park.
Take a look around West Island Lake if you’re interested in quiet, waterside living.
Beth Bellantuono
Keller Williams Success Realty
(331) 701-2859
194 Total Sales
1 in West Island Lake
$267,300 Price
Joyce Konnerth
Konnerth Realty Group
(224) 877-7579
88 Total Sales
5 in West Island Lake
$245K - $425K Price Range
Rich Perillo
Perillo Real Estate Group
(224) 374-1882
106 Total Sales
2 in West Island Lake
$15K - $20K Price Range
Donald Hampton
Fathom Realty IL LLC
(708) 905-4903
135 Total Sales
1 in West Island Lake
$315,000 Price
Edith Gutierrez
eXp Realty
(224) 808-4880
80 Total Sales
1 in West Island Lake
$319,000 Price
Liz Wiersum
Cirafici Real Estate
(331) 226-1877
21 Total Sales
1 in West Island Lake
$330,000 Price
On average, homes in West Island Lake, Island Lake sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in West Island Lake, Island Lake over the last 12 months is $295,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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A small, rural community on the western banks of the Fox River
Lakefront living at its finest in the rural reaches of northwest Chicagoland
A Chicago suburb with amenities of two cities and loads of outdoor recreation
A riverside community where recreational opportunities abound
A natural Prairie Grove oasis on the banks of the Fox River's western shores
Quiet living and expansive parks on the banks of the Fox River
