Palatine

Capri Village is an amenities haven squarely between Deer Grove Forest Preserve and Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve. These two preserves provide a peaceful escape from the traffic sounds of well-traveled roads surrounding the community. Within the community, residents appreciate the slower pace along cul-de-sacs and apartment complexes, with the convenience factor of having Illinois Route 53, Rand, Dundee and Lake Cook roads nearby to travel to the lines of shops and restaurants throughout Palatine. As a part of Palatine, Capri Village residents enjoy the many offerings of the Village throughout the year. “Palatine has a nice downtown area, train access to the city, good forest preserves, and family life, so people are out and about with those missions,” says Rhonda Dehn, Owner of Morkes Chocolates, who has lived in the area for more than fifty years.<br><br>Apartments and renters comprise close to 50% of the neighborhood. Of the houses divided among subdivisions and side streets, most date back to the late 1950s, with some built as recently as the mid-2000s. Mid-size single-family homes have ranch-style and Colonial Revival architecture, often with garages at the end of private driveways. Homes list between $190,000 and $545,000, with a median single-family home price of $355,000. Two-bedroom condos mark the low end of this range, with a five-bedroom single-family house on the higher end. In addition to being in one of the most convenient areas of Palatine, Capri Village home prices are more affordable, as they are around $100,000 less than the average in Palatine. <br><br>Students may attend Lincoln Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade before attending Walter R. Sundling Junior High School. Both schools are a part of Community Consolidated School District No. 15 and earn a Grade of B-plus from Niche. Palatine High School earns a Grade of A from Niche and is where students may begin in ninth grade. Palatine falls within Township High School District No. 211 and offers over 70 activities, from music to debate, for students to get involved. <br><br>While there is much to do and explore around Capri Village, residents are not limited to nearby attractions because they are a 20-mile drive from O’Hare International Airport. Exploring Capri Village is simple with Illinois Route 53 and nearby roads: Rand, Dundee and Lake Cook. For added convenience, bus routes run along Rand and Dundee roads. With proximity to multiple forms of transportation, locals appreciate short commutes to area attractions, including the forest preserves to their north and west.<br><br>The restaurant scene in Capri Village offers a wide variety of cuisines from all over the world. Los Arcos Mexican Grill is a traditional Mexican restaurant that prides itself on their margaritas and bold flavors. American restaurants are also abundant, including Chicago Culinary Kitchen, which receives high marks for its barbeque, and Gators Wing Shack Grill and Pizza, where they mix wings in a wide assortment of sauces. Satisfying sweet tooth cravings, Morkes Chocolates sells mouthwatering treats with a candy-making history that dates back to 1920. Grocery stores also come in a wide variety, from Tianlai Asian Market to the Indian grocery store Asian Island. Off Dundee Road, a Jewel Osco fills additional grocery needs right next to Deer Grove Centre, where locals shop the racks at major retailers, including Target and Hobby Lobby. <br><br>Though the two forest preserves are just outside Capri Village, this neighborhood also has two of its own parks. Falcon Park is home to a 49,000-square-foot recreation center with a gymnasium, indoor turf field and walking track. Across the road, Osage Park provides nearly 8 acres of entertainment, from cycling and walking paths that pass by the mulch-covered playground to softball and baseball fields. <br><br>Capri Village residents are treated to the many events held in Palatine. “There is a Fourth of July four-day event put on by the Jaycees and a summer weekend event in August put on by the Village of Palatine,” Dehn says. “In September, the Rotary puts on an Oktoberfest event, but there are also a few other smaller events throughout the year.” With proximity to multiple forms of travel, locals appreciate short commutes to these events and neighboring forest preserves for quality time with community members.

Perched at the crossroads of nature and convenience, Plum Grove Village emerges as a haven of serenity. Situated midway between numerous nature preserves and parks, this vibrant community offers residents a tranquil escape. Just south of downtown Palatine, commuters enjoy easy access to a bustling urban scene, brimming with retail therapy, shopping delights and entertainment options.<br><br>As U.S. Route 14 traces the town's northwestern edge and U.S. Route 62 meanders through its southern reaches, Plum Grove Village not only provides seamless commuting options but also quick links to neighboring towns like Arlington Heights and Inverness. These nearby gems beckon with vibrant nightlife and diverse shopping, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tapestry of Plum Grove Village living. “Also, the community is just 40 minutes from downtown Chicago,” says Nancy Funteas, Realtor with @properties. “It’s a Northwest suburb right outside of Chicago. It’s easy to take the Metra down there, which is huge for those looking to live outside of the city but remain relatively close by.”<br><br>Plum Grove Village is primarily a residential pocket proudly displaying a broad range of architectural styles. "As prospective homebuyers explore Palatine, they discover a diverse array of housing options," says Funteas. "The community caters to a wide spectrum of housing budgets, making it a compelling choice for homebuyers. Palatine boasts several new condos, townhouses and rowhouses, providing a varied and attractive housing landscape."<br><br>The cozy tree-lined streets mostly display midsize colonials and split-level homes on single lots; however, there are a few outliers such as stately homes on expansive lots. As mentioned by Funteas, homebuyers seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle can choose from condominiums and townhouses. Established homes with over 2,000 square feet cost $500,000 and up, while newer builds with over 2,000 square feet can reach up to $1 million. More modest-sized homes range from $350,000 to $700,000, while condos and townhouses start at $215,000 and list for as high as $500,000. <br><br>With close to a dozen parks in the community, Plum Grove Reservoir Park stands out as the most scenic. Situated adjacent to Harper College, this green space gives residents a taste of nature with stunning sunset views over the tranquil water, which rests at the heart of the park. The park's paved trails encourage cycling and longboarding, or residents can fish along the reservoir shoreline. “Not only does this area have many parks, but there’s also a lot of golfing opportunities here too,” says Funteas. Minutes away are the Inverness Golf Club, the Highland Woods Golf Course and the Twin Lakes Golf Course & Recreation Area. Plum Grove Village is also conveniently located to the Busse Woods Nature Preserve and Busse Forest Elk Pasture, merely a 15-minute drive. <br><br>Students have access to quality education through both public and private institutions, including St. Hubert Catholic School and St. Peter Luther School. Students can begin their public-school coursework at Kimball Hill Elementary School, which earns an overall Niche score of B-plus before moving on to Helen Keller Junior High, which earns a Niche score of A-minus and is named after the iconic American author and disability-rights activist. Students conclude their secondary education at Palatine High School, which ranks among the top-performing schools in the Chicagoland area and boasts an impressive overall Niche score of an A-plus, with college preparatory, diversity and clubs and activities achieving the highest accolades. Students can begin their post-secondary education at Harper College. This community college offers over 100 degree programs and hails as the semi-finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. <br><br>Plum Grove Village restaurants and grocery shops embrace the area's cultural roots. Amish Farmers and Vishnu Foods Grocery have residents covered for unique herbs, spices and food essentials for home-cooked meals. Ramen House Shinchan offers authentic ramen and sushi or make it fajita night at Burrito Parrilla Mexicana. For a food menu six pages long jammed with American classics, visit Donkey Inn. For dinner with a show, crossing through the castle gates into Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament immerses visitors in Medieval Spain, complete with a four-course feast and a tournament between the royal knights. For a warm beverage and sweet treat, grab doughnuts and coffee at Donut Drop. Blend fine art with the dessert experience by visiting Coquelicot Gallery and Café where fine art enthusiasts can also shop for original work by independent artists.<br><br>From fine arts to martial arts, Plum Grove Village hosts FLO Fitness and Martial Arts, providing a free trial class to get started. Yogis can hit the mat at Drip Hot Yoga & Fitness with passionate instructors focused on accessibility and compassion. Strap on skates for some time on the ice at West Meadows Ice Arena. The arena's lights, dive-bar-esque vibe, and laid-back menu are perfect for a night out.<br><br>Plum Grove Village invites residents to embrace a life of serenity, diversity and dynamic experiences.

Lakes and ponds anchor Virginia Lake neighborhood<br><br>Virginia Lake, located in the northwest Palatine suburbs of Chicago, is sandwiched between two nature preserves, with plenty of green and blue space in between. Named after the largest recreational lake in the neighborhood—one of several bodies of water—Virginia Lake offers families access to highly rated schools and a range of housing options. <br>From condos and townhouses for renters and investors to waterfront split-levels for those who love a view, many neighborhoods surround a pond or lake. Virginia Lake draws residents from around the world, with a strong multicultural community. <br><br>Homes surround neighborhood ponds and lakes<br><br>Virginia Lake has a balance of single-family ranches and split-levels, as well as condos and townhouse units for sale. While most who buy single-family homes live in the neighborhood themselves, some who invest in condos rent them to other tenants. Two-bedroom units typically sell for around $200,000, and waterfront homes, most of which include a garage, sell for between $400,000 and $600,000. Real estate in Virginia Lake doesn’t linger on the market for long; single-family homes, most built in the 1970s onward, go fast, as do condos. “The condos are very rentable,” says Galya Georgieva, a Coldwell Banker Haynes Realty agent, who owns rental property nearby. “There are no vacancies there.” <br><br>Culturally responsive schools attract families <br><br>Virginia Lake’s quality schools are a big draw for families with children. Kids can attend Virginia Lake Elementary School from prekindergarten until sixth grade, awarded a B-plus from Niche, before moving on to Winston Campus Junior High School, which receives a B-minus. Given the community’s diverse international population, Virginia Lake Elementary School uses Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching to empower its students to succeed academically while validating their home language and culture. They can finish their secondary education at Palatine High School, which receives a grade of A and accepted a Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education. <br><br>Bike trail runs from park to preserve<br><br>Virginia Lake is teeming with opportunities to enjoy nature. There’s Celtic Park on the north side of the neighborhood, which features a soccer field, a playground as well as a small pond next to the high school. Sycamore Park, next to the Spinnaker Cove neighborhood, in the south, features tennis and pickleball courts, as well as a softball field. Palatine Bike trail runs through the park, offering hikers and bikers a safe way to explore the area from the main thoroughfare, Dundee Road, to the Winston Park Northeast neighborhood. <br><br>Small retention ponds that manage the Chicago area’s high rainfall dot the neighborhood, around which condominium complexes and cul-de-sacs with single-family homes are situated. Residents can stroll around the smaller ponds, and swim or fish in Virginia Lake. For a more immersive nature experience, residents can frequent the nearby Deer Grove East nature preserve. “It’s really nice,” says Matt Hernacki, a real estate agent with MisterHomes, who specializes in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. “It has a paved hiking trail, a mountain biking trail and campsites.”<br><br>Culturally diverse food next to American retail<br><br>Virginia Lake features two shopping centers with several big-box stores. From Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Target and Hobby Lobby, for everything home and closet, to Aldi, Jewel-Osco and Walmart for grocery needs, while adjacent Park Place Shopping Center and Deer Grove Centre supply the neighborhood. While there are several fast-food restaurants, Jameson’s Charhouse, across the expressway, in Arlington Heights, serves prime-cut steak and other high-end dishes. The two main shopping plazas offer culturally diverse bites between shopping trips with restaurants like Kosta’s Gyros, Thai House Restaurant and Islas Veracruz.<br><br>Close to Downtown Palatine and Chicago<br><br>Virginia Lake is a true suburb—most residents rely on cars to travel in and out of the neighborhood. Bordered by Route 53, which eventually becomes Interstate 290 and feeds into Chicago proper, Virginia Lakes is about a 40-minute commute to the city center. Residents can also travel to Downtown Palatine using Hicks Road, which borders the neighborhood to the west. There, the Palatine Metra Station takes commuters to Downtown Chicago.

In the northwest suburbs of Chicago is the village of Palatine, which is on the Metra commuter rail line. “That’s a big advantage. Places that are on the Metra line tend to hold their home values better than suburbs that are not,” says Sue Gould, a real estate broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate with 44 years of real estate experience and a native of Palatine. The Pepper Tree neighborhood is within Palatine, with homes primarily built in the 1970s. “They were ahead of their time when they were constructed. Many have vaulted ceilings, which was unique for that period,” says Gould. <br><br>The styles of homes are mainly split-level, ranch or Colonial Revival, with between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet of living space. Most have three to four bedrooms, and some have been remodeled. “Another unique thing about these homes is that many don’t have basements; there are crawl spaces, but very few basements. That’s very odd for the Chicago area,” Gould adds. “Many homes were built with a natural exterior material, like cedar instead of brick or stone.” The price ranges from $350,000 to $600,000. “Often, there’s a bidding war for homes on the market. Sometimes they sell for over the asking price,” Gould says. The Pepper Tree Farms subdivision homeowners are in a Home Improvement Association, with a $12 monthly fee and access to the area pool and pond. However, the pool accepts anybody living in the neighborhood. <br><br>Eagle Pool is where to take a dip on those hot, Midwestern summer days. It has a mid-sized slide, a toddler-friendly swimming area, diving boards and vending machines. It can also be rented out for private parties. Eagle Park surrounds the pool and features a renovated playground that is more fully accessible for children of all abilities. There’s ample green space for soccer or softball and four tennis courts. Across Dundee Road is Deer Grove Forest Preserve, with nearly 2,000 acres of diverse natural habitat. Palatine Hills Golf Course and Country Club has a putting green and driving range, a pro shop and 18 holes to challenge all skill levels. Just south of the neighborhood are the multiple athletic fields at Ron Gbur Sports Fields, with pickleball courts and inline skating. <br><br>Lincoln Elementary School is in the Pepper Tree neighborhood and gets a B-plus on Niche. Students through sixth grade can join fitness and chorus clubs, among various organizations students can explore. Walter R. Sundling Junior High School serves grades seven and eight and has a B-plus grade. Both schools are part of the Community Consolidated School District Number 15. Palatine High School is in Township High School District Number 211. The school is rated an A on Niche and has a 92% graduation rate. <br><br>Across Hicks Road is Deer Grove Centre with a Jewel-Osco for groceries and retail options like TJ Maxx, Target and Ross. Kosta’s Gyros is a casual eatery serving traditional Greek dishes plus American favorites, such as ribs, hot dogs & burgers. West on Dundee is El Angel’s Mexican Restaurant in the small shopping center at the corner of Smith and Dundee. Rosati’s Pizza features Chicago-style stuffed deep-dish pizza with choices of up to four ingredients. <br><br>The most popular way to get around in the Palatine area is the Metra commuter rail line, which has access to downtown Chicago. There are express line options that take commuters directly downtown without stops. Route 53 can lead to various area toll roads if going by car. It’s also about a 25-minute ride southeast to get to O’Hare International Airport.

Set in the suburban sprawl of the Second City, Reseda sits just outside the village of Palatine, and its proximity to Chicago is one of the big reasons residents put down roots here. “Reseda is close enough to Chicago to enjoy, but also far enough out to not have to deal with the headaches of living in the city,” says Mike Jacobs, Community Development Director for the Village of Palatine and 22-year resident of the town. Narrow streets lined with old-growth oaks and single-family homes make up this community. Mostly a mix of Colonial-revival and split-level styles, with some multi-unit condos and town houses sprinkled throughout, it’s a quiet, neighborly community where residents form friendships through events and activities held at nearby parks. Award-winning schools and locally owned dining options also make Reseda a desirable neighborhood for families to settle down in, with public transit options making Chicago easily accessible even without a car. <br><br>Split-levels and two-story Colonial-revivals sit on modest lots throughout Reseda. Many of these homes were built in the 1970s, mainly towards the end of the decade. This means that upgrades may be required for some homes and that many still sport 70’s style amenities. The majority of these single-family homes sell in the $375,000 to $500,000 range, although homes that have already undergone renovations can fetch close to $600,000. Small town house developments offer single-family units at a slightly lower price point, usually between $200,000 and $250,000, while condo living offers an entry point as low as $125,000 for a single bed and single bath unit. Prospective residents need to move quickly though – homes often sell within a week, versus the national average of over five weeks.<br><br>Reseda is served by the Community Consolidated School District 15. Students start at either Lincoln or Virginia Lake Elementary for preschool through sixth grade and both of these schools garner a B-plus rating from Niche. Students come together for grades seven and eight at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, which also received a B-plus from Niche, and attend Palatine High School to complete their primary education. Highly rated by Niche, with an A grade, Palatine High is home to an applied technology department with coursework that offers the potential for students to earn college credit through their studies. It has also received the Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Award twice. Nearby, “Harper Community College offers a program called the Harper Promise,” says Jacobs, “Students from Palatine can get two years of tuition at Harper free if they meet the requirements.” Private options include the Quest Academy, the St. Theresa School and Immanuel Lutheran School. <br><br>With the Palatine Trail running along the southern edge of Reseda, outdoor recreation is a big part of life here. This trail runs west to the Gbur Sports Fields and Hamilton Reservoir, where residents have plenty of space to explore trails, along with baseball, soccer and pickleball courts too. Secluded Cherrywood Park offers a quiet playground for kids and when residents want to enjoy the great outdoors, they head a little north, says Jacobs. “Deer Grove Forest Preserve – it was the first forest preserve in Cook County, and maybe one of the largest. There are picnic areas, open fields, horse trails, a toboggan hill and so much open space.” The preserve also offers hiking and fishing opportunities.<br><br>Reseda residents keep it local, with the family-owned Palatine Inn serving up American and Greek fare all day – they’re known for their Grecian-style skirt steak. Just down the road Chiggy’s Gyros serves up their handheld specialties, great for grab and go, just like the pizzas and appetizers at Pizza Bella. For a lighter meal, customize an omelet at Annie’s Restaurant & Pancake House, then stop next door to grab groceries from the Eurofresh Market. Palatine Plaza features an Ace Hardware store and a Planet Fitness, but for a one-stop shopping trip, folks in Reseda head up to Deer Grove Centre where they can hit big-box retailers like Jewel-Osco, Aldi, The Home Depot and TJ Maxx all at once.<br><br>“The downtown train station provides convenient access to other suburbs along the line and to the city,” says Jacobs, highlighting service along the Metra to and from Chicago. Still, residents in Reseda will need a bike or car for most travel. The well-kept Palatine Trail and quiet streets make it safe for bikers and makes Reseda more bikeable than the average city. Emergency care can be found nearby when residents need it, with NorthWest Community Hospital only a 4-mile drive away. O’Hare International Airport is only 16 miles away and offers flights to pretty much anywhere in the world. <br><br>Most Reseda residents make the short trip to downtown Palatine for regular events like the Street Fest in late August, a three-day event of music, festivities, food from local vendors plus fun and games. The Palatine Hometown Fest coincides with this community’s Fourth of July celebration and features a fireworks display send off. A more recent addition, Oktoberfest runs in late September, and celebrates German culture and traditions. All of these events bring out residents of Reseda and the greater Palatine community, and for big-city events, Chicago is only a Metra ride away, with art, music and of course Chicago sports.

Forty miles northwest of downtown Chicago and outside the village of Palatine is the Baldwin neighborhood, which provides one of the last aspects of suburbia before more rural communities to the north and west. “Palatine isn’t a tiny town; it’s just a little more rural than Arlington Heights, which is more city-like,” says Judy Newton, a Realtor with HomeSmart Connect with nearly 20 years of real estate experience. The neighborhood is home to a restaurant that once was a hideout for a famous Chicago-area gangster.<br><br>The Ron Gbur Sports Fields are on Smith Street across from Walter Sundling Junior High School. The complex has several soccer fields and five baseball diamonds, making it a regular host for rec sports competitions. Closer to the road are multiple pickleball courts and the famous bright red and yellow play equipment called the Ketchup and Mustard Playground. Palatine Hills Golf Course is open to the public and has hosted the U.S. Women’s Open qualifier tournament. There are also some smaller parks, such as Hummingbird Park's 4 acres, which include green space, a basketball court and a playground. The Robert “Dutch” Schultz Recreation Area has plenty of room, with trails to explore the 20 acres. There are also picnic areas and a fishing pond. The Palatine Park District runs all of the above. “One of the reasons people move to this area is the active park district. There’s always something going on for all ages to enjoy,” says Lisa Kowalenko, managing broker with Keller Williams Thrive Realty with over 35 years of real estate experience. She’s also lived in Palatine for over 40 years. The Buehler YMCA provides members with exercise equipment as well as fitness classes. The Deer Grove Forest Preserve is north of Dundee Road, with nearly 2,000 acres of natural habitats.<br><br>The Cherry Brook Village subdivision is between the Palatine Hills Golf Club and Smith Road and is a townhouse community developed in the 1980s. Prices range from $200,000 to $300,000 with attached garages, around 1,500 square feet and two to three bedrooms. Monthly fees for lawn maintenance are less than $100. Down Smith Street are more spacious single-family homes priced between $450,000 and $740,000, with some backing up against the golf course. These are spacious Colonial Revival and custom-built homes from the 1990s. Further west, mid-century split-level and ranch-style are combined with more contemporary styles on lots up to a half-acre. Prices range from $350,000 to $650,000.<br><br>Kindergarten through sixth-grade students can attend Stuart R. Paddock School with a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio and a B-plus grade on Niche. Walter R. Sundling Junior High School is in the neighborhood, serving seventh and eighth graders with a B-plus overall rating. Both schools are in the Community Consolidated School District Number 15. Palatine High School is rated an A on Niche. The school gets high marks for college preparation, with periodic college representative visits and sessions regarding financial aid programs and symposiums focusing on first-generation potential college attendees. <br><br>Brandt’s of Palatine has been in the community for about 60 years. It was originally a farmhouse that was a hideout for infamous gangster Al Capone and a speakeasy during Prohibition. It’s considered a high-end burger restaurant featuring indoor and outdoor seating. Billy's Pancake House has been making pancakes and other breakfast favorites from scratch since 1971. Burgers and quesadillas are also available for lunch. The restaurant is open daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eurofresh Market is a neighborhood grocer that has been family-owned for over 30 years. <br><br>The Sikh Religious Society of Chicago has a 14-acre facility located on Winnetka Street. It's home to the largest Sikh place of worship in the Midwest. The society started in 1972, and its services are often streamed on YouTube. <br><br>In most areas around Baldwin, it’s just a couple of miles to the southeast to reach downtown Palatine, where the Metra commuter rail station is. Commuters take the one-hour ride into downtown Chicago. The CAP crime score index gives Baldwin a 3, lower than the national average of 4. Those living close to the Ron Gbur Sports Fields Complex may hear athletic events at the lighted facility after dark.