Park Ridge is a respite from the bustling Windy City
Bordered to the west by Algonquin Woods and the Des Plaines River, the city of Park Ridge is primarily residential. With the exception of a vibrant downtown area and over a dozen parks, the community offers blocks upon blocks of neighborhoods. This modern development makes sense, considering early settlers established the city as a refuge from the bustling streets of Chicago. Today, residents are a half-hour train ride from The Loop and even closer to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
“I grew up here and raised my kids here,” says Donna Mundzic, Broker at Keller Williams Realty Partners. “A lot of people decide to leave for the city and end up coming back to raise their kids. It’s a great community with a great downtown area, farmer’s markets, concerts in the park and tons to do. Not to mention the accessibility to public transportation.”
Bordered by the Algonquin Woods, Park Ridge is full of modern million dollar developments.
You can find many larger homes in the Park Ridge neighborhood.
Park Ridge quickly connects to downtown Chicago in 30mins at the Rosemont Blueline CTA stop.
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport takes about 15 million passengers in a year.
Park Ridge offers a variety of single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums. Situated on a well-connected grid of residential streets and sidewalks, home styles vary by lot. From Tudor and Colonial Revivals to modern farmhouses and cottages, traditional architecture is widespread and eclectic. Historic homes dating back to the early 20th century might even neighbor those built in the 2000s, making for an altogether diverse market. Through the O'Hare Residential Sound Insulation Program, most homes come with acoustically-rated windows, prime doors and other renovations that block out the airport noise.
The median price in Park Ridge, including townhomes and condos, is $540,000, which is above average for the Chicago area. Units closer to the downtown area hover around $800,000 and offer amenities like additional square footage and garage space. Single-family homebuyers can expect an elevated median price of $615,000, with modern builds often surpassing $1 million.
The median price for homes in Park Ridge starts at 540,000 and trends upwards to 1 million.
Park Ridge offers a variety of single-family homes laid out on a tree-lined grid.
There are condominium complexes on the west side of Park Ridge, IL.
Historic homes dating back to the early 20th century line the streets of Park Ridge.
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Prospect Avenue shines in Uptown
“We actually call our downtown area ‘Uptown,’” Mundzic says, referring to a stretch of small businesses along Northwest Highway. “There are tons of cute little shops, a Starbucks and a Chipotle, but there’s also really nice dining; probably 20 amazing restaurants, including a couple of sushi places, Mexican and Italian.” Mundzic calls attention to the twinkling lights above outdoor dining patios on Prospect Avenue. She even names Pennyville Station as a go-to, a popular farm-to-table New American eatery with from-scratch entrees. “There’s a really cute farmer’s market every Saturday from May through October. Everybody goes,” she continues. “A lot of the vendors come from Michigan farms. There’s a honey guy, a soap guy, food trucks—it’s really cool and just two blocks from Uptown.”
Retail shops are abundant along the street in Uptown Park Ridge.
Enjoy a meal in the sun at Pennyville Station in the uptown area of Park Ridge, IL.
Uptown Park Ridge is full of cute shops such as Marigolds, great for gifts and crafts.
The Park Ridge Farmers Market is a seasonal favorite for local produce and popular herbs.
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From classic films at Pickwick Theatre to fireworks at Maine East High
Pickwick Theatre is a staple in Uptown. The 1920s Art Deco movie theater shows cinema classics and new releases on Prospect Avenue. But beyond well-loved landmarks, the small-town atmosphere of Park Ridge is heightened by its local events. “On the Fourth of July, we have Taste of Park Ridge right next to the library,” Mundzic says. “Local bands, food vendors from town. And then one of our high schools—Maine East—hosts fireworks.” From charity runs to easter egg hunts and pumpkin patches, residents celebrate most national holidays with their neighbors. “The day after Thanksgiving, Santa comes to Prospect Avenue,” she continues. “All the houses are decorated, and most shops give out candy or hot cocoa. Because so many people grow up here, you always see people you know.”
Catch a movie at the iconic Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge.
Many local bars participate in the fun at the Main Street Craft Beer Festival in Park Ridge.
Pumpkin Fest is a free annual event held at Olson's Ace with a pumpkin painting station.
The small town atmosphere of Park Ridge is a major draw with events hosted downtown.
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Year-round recreation at Centennial Park
Park Ridge experiences four full seasons, with outdoor recreation available throughout the year. Centennial Park is a go-to for its athletic fields and sledding hill, but the space is also home to the Centennial Aquatic Center and Fitness Center. Both provide programming and events hosted by the park district. Farther west, Algonquin Woods is a vast nature preserve with opportunities for hiking and fishing. “We truly have parks everywhere,” Mundzic says, referring to over a dozen green spaces owned and operated by the park district. “There are even brand new pickleball courts at Centennial Fitness Center and Woodland Park.”
Near the heart of the city is the Park Ridge Country Club, established in 1906 with a sprawling golf course, tennis courts and swimming pool. Exclusive dining and community events are held within the Georgian-style clubhouse at the center.
In the vast Algonquin Woods, Axehead Lake's 17 acre lake makes for a great fishing spot.
Centennial Park is one of the largest in the district and features winding paths.
Wildwood Nature Center provides environmental education year round at the Algonquin Woods.
The Park Ridge Country Club offers pickleball courts and numerous other amenities.
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A-rated public schools through District 64
Public school students throughout the city attend Park Ridge Community Consolidated School District 64, which earns an overall A-minus on Niche. “We have a lot of pride in our community with people saying one school or another is the best,” Mundzic says. “It’s cool; we just have really highly-rated schools all around. They all follow the same curriculum, and they’re all great.” Most students will feed into Maine South High School with a 98 percent graduation rate and an A on Niche. Others attend Maine East, which also earns an A. Oakton College, Northwestern University and Loyola University all sit within a 12-mile radius of the city.
Maine East High School scores an A on Niche.com, boasting high test scores in Park Ridge.
Lincoln Middle School hosts 750 students in Park Ridge's A rated District 64.
District 64's Roosevelt Elementary School scores an A- on Niche.com.
Evanston's Northwestern University is only 12 miles from Park Ridge.
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Riding the Blue Line from O’Hare to Clark Street
According to the City of Park Ridge, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area, alongside the city’s school and park districts. Chicago commuters can expect a 19-mile commute southeast on I-90. “We’re close to the Blue Line for the L train,” Mundzic explains. “And we’ve got two Metra stations. It’s an easy commute for someone working downtown. We’re also close to O’Hare, which is great for travelers.” Dee Road and Edison Park’s Metra stations are accessible from Northwest Highway. Rosemont is one of the closest L stops, where commuters can ride the Blue Line straight to The Loop. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is within 6 miles of most homes. Those on the southern outskirts of Park Ridge may be prone to elevated noise and traffic levels, especially with Allstate Arena next door.
Crime statistics in Park Ridge
According to 2024 data from the Park Ridge Police Department, the city’s crime rate is about average for both Illinois and the greater U.S. In the city police department's 2022 annual report, the most recent available, local authorities said overall crime had declined by 28 percent over the past decade.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
