A suburban enclave in Cook County with a unique past
About 20 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, amid highway cloverleafs and commuter rail facilities, Palos Heights is also surrounded by segments of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, a collection of largely unspoiled suburban land adding up to more than 100 square miles ringing the outskirts of the metro area.
Mayor Robert Straz says most of his constituents work closer to the region’s core, making Palos Heights a balance of convenience and nearby nature with an average drive-to-work time of about 30 minutes, according to the U.S. Census. “The best of both worlds,” he says, adding that local jobs in healthcare, education and retail are most prevalent. Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital is one of the area’s largest employers.
The city of Palos Heights has a population of 12,068.
Palos Heights is a haven for nature lovers, thanks to the Palos Forest Preserves.
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Diverse home styles in Colonial Heights and Ishnala
The Palos Heights housing market includes single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums, with an overall median price of $359,900, below the national median. Colonial Heights offers a mix of home styles, priced close to the city's median. In Downtown Palos Heights , homes range from around $250,000 to about $580,000. Ishnala , known for its wooded surroundings and spacious lots, has a median listing price of $522,000, making it one of the area’s more expensive neighborhoods.
Downtown Palos Heights has many updated Tudor-inspired brick homes from the mid 20th century.
Colonial-style homes are frequent throughout Palos Heights.
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Community Consolidated District 118 and Consolidated High School District 230 serve Palos Heights
Palos Community Consolidated School District 118 educates elementary and middle school students. The district has an A grade from Niche. Amos Alonzo Stagg High School is in Consolidated High School District 230 and graded A. Chicago Christian High School provides a faith-based education and has a B-plus. St. Alexander School, a Catholic school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, also has a B-plus.
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1.
Chicago Christian High School is a Christ-centered learning community.
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Explore the outdoors at Palos Forest Preserves
Palos Heights is a haven for nature lovers, thanks to its proximity to the Palos Forest Preserves, part of Cook County's overall nature preserve system. This spot covers about 25 square miles, with miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails open year-round. The land was also home to the world's first atomic reactor, built in 1942 as part of World War II's Manhattan Project. So-called Site A was reopened to the public in 1991 after an extensive clean-up by the Department of Energy following the reactor's decommissioning in 1954. Arrowhead Lake, also part of the preserve system and also adjacent to the city, includes trails, picnic spots and campsites.
Though not part of the system, Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens is east of the city, with a lake, a waterfall and native plant gardens. The Cal-Sag Trail, a paved multi-use path, runs along the Calumet-Saganashkee Channel, connecting Palos Heights to nearby neighborhoods, eventually to be built out as a 26-mile long route.
The city's Community Park focuses more on sports and active pursuits, with a variety of courts and fields.
Two woman enjoy sitting by the waterfall at Lake Katherine.
Palos Heights was home to the world's first atomic reactor, built in 1942.
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Dining and shopping along Harlem Avenue and Route 83
Locally owned restaurants, cafes and retail stores line Palos Heights along Harlem Avenue and Route 83. Frangella Italian Market offers fresh deli items, homemade pasta and imported Italian ingredients. Another popular spot, Harvest Room, serves farm-to-table dishes using organic produce, grass-fed meats and locally sourced ingredients. The Palos Heights Farmers Market, held seasonally, brings fresh produce, baked goods and artisanal goods from local vendors.
Each July, Palos Heights hosts the Classic Car Event along Harlem Avenue. The event draws enthusiasts from across the region and showcases automobiles from the 1920s through the 1980s.
Frangella's is a hotspot for residents of Lake Katherine.
Harvest Room, located within Oak Hills, serves locally sourced breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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Major roads and Metra access keep Palos Heights connected
Palos Heights is well-connected by Interstate 294, Route 83 and Harlem Avenue, allowing easy access to Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The Palos Park Metra station is located 3 miles from Palos Heights and provides SouthWest Service Line access to Chicago Union Station, 22 miles away.
Chicago Midway International Airport, located 12 miles northeast, is the closest major airport, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about 30 miles away. Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, the nearest hospital, is 3 miles from central Palos Heights.
Rules for snow days and crime in Palos Heights
Snow is a wintertime staple in Palos Heights, and the city forbids any form of street parking when 2 inches or more fall to facilitate plowing. According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Palos Heights maintains violent and property crime rates below the national average.
Fluent in Greek, George Filippidis is a skilled Realtor known for his sharp negotiation skills and deep knowledge of buying, selling, and investing in real estate. He specializes in residential sales, short sales, luxury homes, and distressed properties, working with both buyers and sellers across single-family homes, condos, co-ops, commercial and rentals.
With a strong background in marketing and property management, George delivers results with professionalism, integrity, and a personal touch. When he's not closing deals, you’ll find him traveling, remodeling spaces, or catching up on sports.
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