Matteson

With access to Interstate 57 about 30 miles south of Chicago, the village of Matteson has a small-town feel. “It’s still considered suburban Chicago, and people like it because it’s also between two neighboring towns, Frankfort and Chicago Heights,” says Nekesha Burton, a managing broker at Reflective Realty with over 16 years of experience. “People go there, or Olympia Fields, to go shopping.” The area east of Interstate 57 is called Old Matteson, which is close to a Metra commuter rail station and one of the southernmost stops on the line. The town has two distinct pronunciations; many locals call it Matt-sin, but government officials say Matt-ah-sin, emphasizing the ‘t.’ Burton says both are acceptable. Part of the 22-mile path from Joliet to the west, east to Chicago Heights runs through Matteson and is a popular spot for walkers, runners and bikers. The Old Plank Road Trail's name comes from the original intention of the path, which was to be a plank road, but it did not happen. It became a railroad track that was later abandoned. The development of the trail occurred between 1992 and 2006. As the trail goes through Matteson, it ends up close to the Metra station downtown, and along the way, there are periodic glimpses of the trail's history as repurposed railroad cars, including a caboose, can be seen along the path. There are numerous road crossings along the trail. Oakwood Park has ten acres with two baseball diamonds, a picnic pavilion with ten picnic tables, grills, a lighted tennis court, a playground and use of a volleyball court upon request. The Matteson Area Public Library is close to the park, which offers an online eBook rental service and an opportunity to join book club groups and rent video games and DVDs. The library also provides tutoring services for kids and teens and a summer reading program. The Park Forest Rail Fan Park is a unique, niche park offering a glimpse of once-operable train cars or sit back and watch the currently operable trains go by. The area of Old Matteson is also attractive because of the cost of the houses. “Everything is going up these days, but comparably, the prices in Matteson are very competitive,” Burton says. “Before COVID hit, they were much lower. They’re starting to stabilize a bit.” Some homes have been renovated, but the general price range is between $160,000 and $300,000. While many homes are older, a pocket of more modern homes is around $400,000. Condos may be below that range and have $250 monthly maintenance fees. Single-family homes are ranch-style, Cape Cod and a few brick bungalows. “There are instances where homeowners have lived in a house for up to 50 years, and the only time it’s sold is during an estate sale,” Burton says. Seventy-one percent of the people living in Old Matteson are homeowners. School-aged kids who attend public school typically attend more than one school in their elementary school experience. Matteson Elementary School is part of the Matteson Elementary School District Number 162 and has nearly 400 kindergarten through third-grade students. The school gets a C overall grade. Some kids move to Sauk Elementary School for grades four through six. That school also gets a C grade from Niche. O.W. Huth Middle School, with a C-plus grade, has exploratory options for students, including music, health and wellness and art. Rich Township High School is home to the Raptors. The school gets a C on Niche and has a student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. The downtown Matteson area around the train station has a couple of options for dining out or relaxing with a drink. Hidden Manna Café is family-owned and has a southern-style breakfast and lunch during the week and dinner on the weekends. Shrimp and grits and fried catfish are a few of the specialties. Cajun Soul has various Caribbean dishes along with Cajun catfish or chicken sandwiches. Freeh’s Again is a bar serving food with plenty of TVs to catch a sporting event. The suburban Chicago Pace bus system has numerous stops along Lincoln Highway. Residents of Old Matteson can catch the Metra for an hour-and-a-half trip to downtown Chicago or any of the other southern suburban stops in between. Some people in Old Matteson work at the Amazon fulfillment center on the west side of I-57. It’s about a 10-minute drive.

Nestled in the heart of Chicago's southern suburbs, the Village of Matteson is "A Home for Business, A Heart for Family." Located off Interstate 57, the village is centrally located, with easy access to Chicago to the north and other nearby suburbs. West Matteson comprises the parts of the village situated west of Interstate 57. With its inviting parks, nearby forest preserves and award-winning schools, West Matteson accommodates a wide variety of lifestyles. "We call East Matteson 'Old Matteson' because the original developments were built there," says Margaret Banks, Managing Broker with Home Sellers Realty. "There are still some older homes in West Matteson, especially in established areas of the neighborhood, but overall, homes tend to be newer and nicer." You'll find a good mix of home styles in the neighborhood, like modern traditionals, ranch-style homes and split levels. A newer 2,958 square foot 4-bed, 3-bath house in the Ridgeland Manor subdivision will cost you $429,900 and comes with a 2-car garage, driveway, full basement and large backyard. For $195,000, you can buy a 1,500 square foot 3-bed, 2-bath house in the Woodgate Green subdivision with an attached 2-car garage and medium-sized front and back yard. Modern town houses are also available for those who want to own a home without the hassle of yard maintenance. A new 2,016 square foot 3-bed, 3-bath town house will cost you $333,999 with a $130 monthly HOA fee. The neighborhood has three public schools: Woodgate Elementary School, Marya Yates Elementary School and Sieden Prairie Elementary School. Woodgate Elementary School received a 'B' grade from Niche and has a strong Family and Community Engagement Program that hosts monthly workshops geared towards parent involvement and student achievement. St. Paul Lutheran Preschool is on the neighborhood's north side and offers a faith-based educational environment for toddlers. Allemong Park, right behind Marya Yates Elementary, is the largest park in the village with 25 acres of green space, a walking path, three baseball diamonds, a basketball court, a soccer field, a handicapped-accessible playground, a picnic pavilion with 10 picnic tables and a gazebo. Woodgate Park, right across the street from Woodgate Elementary, is great for a quick walk or bike ride. The half-mile walking path winds around the two baseball diamonds, volleyball court, tennis court and playground. When you really want to get away, head north to Bartel Grassland Land and Water Reserve, a flat 585-acre wetland area with native flora and rich birdlife with a viewing area on former farmland. Residents can also volunteer to help restore the grasslands and develop a deeper understanding of the ecosystem. Two smaller nature reserves are located on the neighborhood's south side: Butterfield Creek Headwaters Land and Water Reserve and Old Plank Road Prairie Nature Preserve. West Matteson is primarily a residential area, so you'll have to drive east of Interstate 57 to get groceries and eat out. There's an ALDI, off South Cicero Avenue and a Pete's Fresh Market, off Lincoln Highway. There are many of your national chain favorites off Lincoln Highway alongside a few local gems. Hidden Manna Café, featured on "Chicago's Best," is a warm, family-owned Cajun breakfast and lunch spot. Try the creamy shrimp and grits and get the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. Craving Asian food? Check out A. Fusion Restaurant, a modern, loftlike destination with a menu of Asian fusion fare and a sushi bar with cocktails and wine. The hibachi experience is perfect for celebrating special occasions. For even more shopping, dining and entertainment, Chicago is only a 35-minute drive north on Interstate 57, perfect for commuters and day-trippers alike.