Known for its luxury homes, top-ranked schools and sense of history, Long Grove is a village 35 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Here, residents enjoy a quiet countryside ambiance and proximity to numerous golf courses and natural areas. Downtown's historic streets blend seamlessly with the winding suburban streets. As the state’s first historic district, the village has a strong sense of preservation for its rustic atmosphere. “They are very rigid about rules to keep things rural,” explains Sally Leoni, real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Realty, who grew up in the area. “There are no sidewalks or chain stores, and they would never allow something like a Starbucks.”
Long Grove visitor center has information about the areas history.
Long Grove is known for its beautiful natural areas.
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Waterfront cottages on Diamond Lake
The median price for single-family homes in the area is in the mid-$900,000s, more than double the median price in the Chicago area, Illinois and the nation. The southern end of Long Grove is filled with luxurious neo-traditional estates, often with multiple acres of land. West Shore Park is known for its waterfront cottages, which have access to private beaches and boat access on Diamond Lake.
Long Grove homes are impressive new builds with well maintained yards.
West Shore Park, where the vacation life is year-round.
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Toy history at the Sock Monkey Museum
The Sock Monkey Museum has the world’s largest collection of handmade sock monkeys and tells the history of the classic toy with displays and historical artifacts. Long Grove hosts several annual community events, including the Strawberry Fest, a summer weekend event where people head downtown to try strawberry-inspired drinks and unique dishes from local vendors and restaurants. Vintage Days is another staple of the neighborhood, where those in attendance get to peruse vintage and restored goods, play games from the past and listen to live performances from local musicians.
Pets and people have a great time during the Long Grove Strawberry Fest.
Bring your whole family to the Long Grove Chocolate Fest.
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Top ranking at Stevenson High School
Five different school districts serve Long Grove. The largest of them for elementary and middle school is Kildeer Countryside School District 96, which has seven schools and gets an A grade from Niche. Adlai E. Stevenson High School has an A-plus from Niche, which considers it one of the top ten public high schools in the country for its exceptional blend of academics, athletics and extracurriculars. “Stevenson High School is the number one open enrollment high school in Illinois, so that brings in a lot of homebuyers,” says Graff.
Kildeer Elementary features modern fitness equipment.
Stevenson High School football is a top program in the state.
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The state's oldest restaurant
Historic Downtown Long Grove has several locally owned businesses and restaurants, including the state’s longest-running restaurant. The Village Tavern opened its doors in 1847 and still features its original wood interior. Best known for its Friday fish fry, the establishment offers an old-fashioned ambiance with a large brick fireplace and regular piano players. For retail, locals frequently visit the stores in Mundelein, around 7 miles north.
Downtown Long Grove features historic retail buildings.
Long Grove has neighborhood favorite bars like The Village Tavern.
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Convenient to Buffalo Grove's Metra and Chicago
The main thoroughfares in the village are Illinois Routes 22, 53 and 83, which connect to major Interstates like 90 and 94. Chicago is less than 40 miles southeast, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about 25 miles south. The nearest Metra station is in Buffalo Grove, about a 10-minute drive east. Advocate Good Shepard Hospital is a 10-mile drive west, while the College of Lake County’s Southlake campus is 5 miles northeast. Most people who work commute to Chicago or other larger cities.
Flora and fauna in Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve
The Long Grove Park District oversees 450 acres of green space, including the baseball fields at Lemmon-Hill and the Hayrake Trail. Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve is a regular spot for bikers navigating its wooded trails and anglers looking to snag catfish. Its footbridges also provide glimpses of local wildlife like Great Egrets, American Black Ducks and deer.
Long Grove features open natural areas that give it a countryside feel.
Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve is a great place to get away from it all.
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Important to know
Long Grove doesn’t have its own police department; instead, it enlists the services of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. According to FBI statistics, property-related and violent crime rose slightly between 2022 and 2023.
Summers are humid and rainy, while winters are windy and snowy. The average snowfall in Long Grove is higher than the national average but on par with the Northern Illinois average.
This has been a journey of professional growth, building connections in my community and the enduring joy of transforming spaces—one property at a time. The year was 2013—a pivotal moment when I found myself at a crossroads, contemplating the monotony of a 9-to-5 job behind a desk in the mortgage industry. Having worked in the mortgage industry for many years, I wanted to try something new, away from the finance sector and towards something more creative and entrepreneurial. The transition wasn't abrupt; rather, it unfolded gradually. My initial steps were rooted in a personal passion—the construction aspect of real estate. I ventured into fixing and flipping homes, injecting new life into old structures and transforming them into modern spaces. After two renovations, I knew this was something I wanted to continue doing. While getting a degree in finance, I also studied and received my REALTORS® license. I never used it, but my experiences had finally come full circle, beckoning me to get my license again to buy and sell my own properties that I flipped. This hands-on experience not only satisfied my entrepreneurial spirit through construction management, but also became the cornerstone of my real estate journey. It was exciting to take a property in rough shape and turn it into a sought-after residence. The art of revitalizing properties sparked a genuine love for the industry. As I delved deeper into the world of real estate, my focus expanded. The fix-and-flip ventures not only provided a practical understanding of the market but also served as a unique selling point. It became more than a business—it became a story of transformation, of turning houses into homes. The ripple effect was inevitable. Word spread about my knack for revitalizing spaces, attracting attention from potential clients. Zillow became a platform where my unique approach resonated, bringing unexpected growth to my budding real estate career. Clients were drawn not just to the transactions but to the narrative of transformation woven into each property. The challenges of the mortgage industry gave way to a newfound joy in real estate. Leaving the mortgage industry, I escaped a monotonous routine; my day-to-day became a creative endeavor, searching for the right properties for buyers, presenting a home in the best light to list for sellers and negotiating great deals. As the years unfolded, I found myself not merely navigating transactions but building relationships and witnessing the revitalization of houses into beloved homes. The fix-and-flip ventures, which began as a personal passion, transformed into a key element of my real estate identity. With expertise in the mortgage process, construction and how to make a house appealing to buyers, all my interests and skills aligned as a real estate agent. Having gained many industry connections, I enjoy being the go-to resource for my clients. Whether they need a trusted construction team, help with a remodel or are looking to buy or sell property, I have the ability to help them with everything related to real estate. From the hands-on approach of flipping homes to becoming a trusted real estate agent, this has been a testament to the power of reinvention. The quality of life I have is incredible now, I spend my days out in my community helping my clients—this is truly the greatest reward. In my free time, I enjoy snowboarding, mountain biking and staying active every day.
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