Oswego

The Village of Oswego's energetic waterfront downtown harkens back to the area's history as a central transportation hub. Local organizations work to events that create a sense of togetherness and encourage a second wave of economic success. "Downtown is so charming," says Bridget Bittman, Village of Oswego Communications Manager. "Not only do we have long-standing businesses, but new businesses have also found their place here. Downtown is also pedestrian-focused. We're working hard to make sure our residents and visitors have plenty of parking and can safely walk to boutiques, eateries and entertainment venues."  Annual events bring the downtown stretch to life, one of the most anticipated by locals being the Wine on the Fox Fest. Since 2006, this celebration has taken over the first weekend in May and provides live music, local vendors, wine and beer tastings and much more. Other celebrations like the Downtown Bunny Hop and Shop Small Saturdays encourage support for local businesses, while yoga and dance classes in the park give folks a chance to connect with their community on a more regular basis. Meanwhile, Oswego Public Library hosts enriching events for tots and adults.  Downtown Oswego's culinary scene headquarters at the juncture between Washington Street and South Madison Street. "Our restaurants are welcoming, homey places," says Bittman. "It almost feels like you're having coffee in your own backyard. There's one place where, if you go around noon, you may see someone have a breakfast plate, or someone else reading and sipping a glass of wine." Bittman refers to Oak + Bean, a modern yet rustic spot that pairs breakfast and lunch with a distinguished wine menu. When the weather is nice, the garage door lifts for the ultimate indoor/outdoor experience. From Village Grind Coffee & Tea's vintage flair to Mod Stitch Clothing's carefully selected threads, the downtown area offers a range of moods for locals and visitors alike—and for the essentials, residents can head to their neighborhood Jewel-Osco.    A drive along Main Street reveals bungalows, farmhouses and homes with sturdy brick and stone details. Residences share their well-maintained lawns with mature trees and flowering shrubs, which adorn the homes' exteriors and walkways. Meanwhile, approaching constructions of New Traditional homes in subdivisions like Hudson Pointe offer downtown access with a bit more seclusion. Detached home prices start around $200,000 and reach up to $560,000 for the newest additions.    Students start strong at Southbury Elementary School, which Niche rates an A-minus. Secondary students enroll at Traughber Jr. High School, which earns a B, before graduating to Oswego High School, which earns another A-minus. The high school prides itself on its diverse sports options, including co-ed fishing, swimming and diving, and extracurriculars from Mandarin Club to Yoga Club.  Towering stone pillars welcome visitors to Hudson Crossing Park, founded along the banks of the Fox River in 1835. Folks stroll around the park's paved pedestrian paths, which are illuminated at night by vintage lampposts. The Egret sculpture garden adds an air of sophistication, while the expansive mulched play area and sandbox provide a fun day of play. Access to the river offers catch-and-release fishing and canoeing opportunities.     Though far enough from downtown Chicago to not have its own Metra station, Oswego residents can park at the Aurora train station for their ride to work. The BNSF Railway takes locals 41 miles to Chicago Union Station in a little over an hour. Meanwhile, Oswego's proximity to main routes like Walter Peyton Memorial Highway means an easy 5.5-mile ride to RUSH Copley Medical Center and a 12-mile drive to Naperville. It's a 43-mile journey on Interstate 88 to reach Chicago O'hare International Airport.

Northwest Oswego is a collection of subdivisions and residential streets ending in cul-de-sacs. Downtown Oswego is just across the Fox River from the community, offering a quaint downtown with new businesses frequently opening up. “We have a really active downtown with a winery and a yoga studio,” says broker Carolyn Alzueta with Charles Rutenburg Realty and lifelong Oswego resident. “Things like that that make you feel like you’re in a trendy, cool place.” Oswego has grown in popularity in past years, and the growing population is bringing new businesses and a vibrant culture with it that the current community welcomes. “It still has a rural feel. There are still cornfields around, but you’re still two minutes from downtown,” Alzueta says. “I saw it grow from a tiny farm town to the really fun and vibrant community that it is today.” With downtown just across the river, residents can access Oswego’s restaurants and shops. On nice days, 113 Main lifts its garage doors to let in the fresh air and create indoor-outdoor seating. La Marimba serves Mexican food and has a great atmosphere. “It has an outdoor patio in the back with a water feature and fire features,” Alzueta says. “You can sit and have a margarita, listen to the water from the fountain and feel the fire.” In the mornings, people stop in Village Grind Coffee and Tea Co. for a cup of joe or pie. “Our downtown has a place called Bella-gia. It’s a really cute clothing boutique, but it’s also where all the girls go for their prom and homecoming shopping,” Alzueta says. Located along Orchard Road, Jewel-Osco is on the same side of the river as Northwest Oswego. For more grocery options, Gerry Centennial Plaza features a Meijer, Target and Walmart Supercenter just 4 miles away along Walter Payton Memorial Highway. Oswego offers events and festivals throughout the year to bring the community together. “One of the biggest attractions is Venue 1012,” says Bridget Bittman, communications manager for the Village of Oswego. “There are free concerts and movies on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. It’s a great place to meet up with friends and listen to live music. We’ve had many bands play there, including the Tom Petty tribute band.” In the summer, people can shop local produce at the weekend farmer’s market. Wine on the Fox is the annual wine tasting festival hosted in Hudson Crossing Park with live music and local vendors supporting the tasting. On the first weekend in December, the Holiday Christmas Walk brings the holiday spirit to Oswego with a lighted parade and an inflatable sledding hill. With Oswego still growing, many of the neighborhoods in Northwest Oswego are still young, featuring New Traditional homes built in the early 2000s. People looking for a more traditional look can also find some Colonial Revivals scattered throughout this side of town. “You see kids playing outside in the streets and cul-de-sacs and people riding their bikes,” Alzueta says. Young trees line the sidewalks, offering a pop of green in the summer and vibrant reds in the fall. Homes typically list between $350,000 and $500,000, depending on the house size and development. With a B-plus from Niche, Fox Chase Elementary School sits at the heart of Northwest Oswego. Traughber Junior High School earns a B from Niche. At Oswego High School, students can join countless sports, from football and baseball to bowling and badminton. Niche grants the school an A-minus. With downtown Oswego just 1.3 miles down Washington Street, residents have everything they need within minutes of their homes. However, commuters working in Chicago can take I-88 the 49 miles to downtown. The Interstate is 8 miles north, closer to Aurora. When traveling outside Chicagoland, Chicago Midway International Airport is the closest airport, about 41 miles away along I-55. Along with the grocery stores, the nearest hospital is also along Walter Payton Memorial Highway, with RUSH Copley Medical Center 6.8 miles from Northwest Oswego. Northwest Oswego has plenty of parks within the community, but residents can also hop over the river to downtown’s parks. Wormley Heritage Park offers 15 acres of athletic facilities, from baseball fields and volleyball courts to a roller hockey court. Kids can also play on either of the two playgrounds here. On the other side of the Fox River, people can walk through the statue garden at Hudson Crossing Park. Anglers can cast a reel into the river and boaters can use the kayak launch here to get onto the water. The park also has a trailhead for the Fox River Trail, where bikers and walkers can enjoy the river views.

On the south side of Fox River and Illinois Route 71, South Oswego is a collection of young subdivisions dotted with community and neighborhood parks. South Oswego residents have the luxury of living just a few miles from downtown Oswego while enjoying quiet residential streets and being within walking distance of neighborhood amenities. The subdivisions themselves are fairly new, mainly dating back to the late 90s and early 2000s, but many are still in development to accommodate more people moving to Oswego. “We have new residents who are steadily moving here, but we also have residents who have lived here their entire lives and are dedicated to the community and enjoy what Oswego has to offer,” says Bridget Bittman, Communications Manager for the Village of Oswego. South Oswego residents have their choice of community parks and residential neighborhood parks when they want to get outside. Prairie Point Community Park sits at the center of the neighborhood, spanning 64 acres with several open fields used by local soccer and football youth programs. In the summer, kids can cool off at the splash pad, but the winter offers sledding and ice skating here. The park also features a Pantry Garden, where the community grows produce and donates it to local families in need around Oswego. Lakeview and Prairieview Parks are two neighborhood parks centered around Bartlett Prairie and Wetland. People can explore the 34 acres of natural scenery or fish on the lake. Prairieview Park has a basketball court and a playground for the kids. Southbury Elementary School is one of the schools that serves the younger South Oswego students, and it earns an A-minus from Niche. Traughber Junior High School receives a B from Niche. With an A-minus from Niche, Oswego High School offers several sports for students to join, from football and basketball to badminton and bowling. Across South Oswego’s different subdivisions, New Traditional houses are most common, with a smattering of Colonial Revivals present along the wide streets. With the subdivisions mainly dating back to the late 90s, the trees are still fairly young but will still add a pop of color in the fall. Residents take pride in their front yards, with light landscaping and maintained lawns. Many subdivisions offer neighborhood pools, while others, like Oak Creek, also include tennis courts and a clubhouse. Residents can reach amenities via the sidewalks that run along both sides of the streets throughout South Oswego. Homes here range between $450,000 and $650,000, depending on the community and house size. The Village of Oswego hosts events throughout the year for the community, with some even taking place in South Oswego. The annual Independence Day Fireworks take place in Prairie Point Park, where people gather on the fields to watch the display of lights. In downtown Oswego, Wine on the Fox calls all aspiring sommeliers to taste over 100 local wines along the Fox River each May. In early December, Main and Jackson Streets transform into a winter wonderland for the Holiday Christmas Walk. Visitors can watch the lighted parade and the tree lighting ceremony, sled down the inflatable hill or listen to local choirs. Shops will feature holiday displays and stay open late so people can get in some holiday shopping. Because South Oswego is mainly subdivisions, people will have to travel outside of the community to dine out, but there are some options along Route 71. Asadoras Argentinas Burgers brings Argentinean flavors to American favorites with their fusion burgers. On the other side of the highway, Danelli’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria serves classic pizzas. Downtown, Tap House Grill offers pub food like wings and sliders. For weekly groceries, the closest Jewel-Osco is just 3.4 miles from South Oswego, found on the other side of the river. Along Walter Payton Memorial Highway, Gerry Centennial Plaza is 4.2 miles away and features a Meijer, Aldi, Target and Walmart Supercenter. While residents can walk to their subdivision’s amenities, many people living in South Oswego will need a car to get downtown and other amenities. Grove Road and Prairieview Drive connect the community to downtown Oswego, just 2.2 miles away. Illinois Route 71 becomes Walter Payton Memorial Highway as people move east, lined with chains and shopping destinations. People can also find the closest hospital along the highway—RUSH Copley Medical Center, about 7 miles away. Commuters will be about 46 miles from downtown Chicago, with I-55 just east of Oswego. Aurora is just 8 miles north and has the closest train station. When traveling outside of Illinois, Chicago Midway International Airport is also accessible along I-55 and is about 39 miles away.