Riverwoods

In Riverwoods Country Club Estates, residents can live peacefully among the trees and along a golf course, without feeling too rural or sacrificing proximity to modern amenities like shopping and dining. “It has this bucolic feel with the woods and the deer and fox. Imagine if Central Park was covered in housing,” says broker Diana Marcus with @properties. “And then you drive a few minutes, and there’s the Costco and Target.” While Riverwoods Country Club Estates feels more residential, its long, winding streets and property sizes bring a secluded feel to suburbia that draws people here over other communities in Lake County. “Riverwoods community members place a lot of importance on privacy,” says broker Ali Lerner with @properties. “There’s more opportunity for larger lots, and home styles are less cookie-cutter than in surrounding suburbs.” Along Riverwoods Country Club Estates’ narrow, sidewalk-less streets, custom builds with French or Tudor influences peek out behind gardens and trees. People often just buy the land here, so homebuyers can create a home that best suits their needs and personalities. Homes sit at the crest of circular driveways, looking out over professionally landscaped gardens. Most properties here offer at least an acre of land for plenty of space to spread out. “Your closest neighbor may be an acre away,” Marcus says. “You may be walking a mile to bring welcoming brownies, or it’ll feel like a mile with all the space.” On the southwest side of the community, the Thorngate subdivision features more New Traditional Craftsman homes huddled close together on streets lined with sidewalks and young trees, offering what Marcus calls the quintessential suburban experience. Homes in the subdivision and beyond list between $750,000 and $1.4 million, with homes along the golf course and with higher acreages listing higher. “However, their taxes are lower because they don’t have their own police department, park district or library,” Marcus assures. In Riverwoods Country Club Estates, residents can choose between landscaped recreational activity and accessing nature. Many homes back Ravinia Green Country Club, where people can play along the rolling green. The design features water elements along 10 of the holes to challenge golfers. People can also practice at one of two putting greens or forgo golf completely in favor of tennis and pickleball. To the west of Riverwoods Country Club Estates, Edward L. Ryerson Conversation Area immerses visitors in nature in its 565 acres of woodlands. People can hike along the 6.5 miles of trails or cross-country ski when the snow gets deep enough in the winter. Students begin at Wilmot Elementary School for grades kindergarten through fifth before graduating to Charles J. Caruso Middle School, which Niche lists fourth for the best public middle school teachers in Illinois. Niche grants both schools A rankings. At Deerfield High School, students can enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. The school received a National Blue Ribbon in 2022, and Niche awards it an A-plus. While residents will have to venture beyond Riverwoods for shopping and dining, Café De Oro is just minutes from homes. This breakfast stop along Deerfield Road offers coffee and tea for a morning pick-me-up. Their food menu has sweet and savory sections featuring items like chocolate croissants and chicken tikka sandwiches. Over in Wheeling, District Brew Yards is a brewery and brew hall serving craft beers people can pour themselves. Next door in Deerfield, Carson’s Ribs offers high-end steaks with cuts like filet mignon and prime rib on their menu. For groceries, Deerfield Square is the closest option, just over 2.5 miles away with a Whole Foods. In Buffalo Grove, people can stop at the Walmart Supercenter, Target and Jewel-Osco all just 5.2 miles away. Even though Riverwoods Country Club Estates feels more private than other nearby suburbs, it is still connected with I-94 running along the eastern border. Motorists can take this to downtown Chicago, about 30 miles from the community. About 2.3 miles away along Deerfield Road, the Deerfield Metrarail station also links commuters to Chicago. While the community lacks public transportation, residents can drive to Deerfield via Deerfield Road or to Lincolnshire via Riverwoods Road. Those traveling beyond Chicagoland can fly out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport, just over 16.5 miles away. Advocate Condell Medical Center is the nearest hospital, 10 miles from Riverwoods Country Club Estates. With its private, secluded feel, Riverwoods residents will have to venture beyond the community for events and festivals. “If you’re going to a Fourth of July parade, you’re going to a neighboring town,” Marcus says. The Deerfield Farmers Marker occurs every Saturday morning from June to October, featuring fresh produce and artisan goods like fresh cheese and jam. Lincolnshire sponsors Summer in the Shire, a free concert series at the Village Green once a month. The village also hosts a Fourth of July celebration spanning two days, featuring a 5k and cardboard boat regatta alongside the parade and fireworks.

Just 30 miles north of downtown Chicago is the suburb of Riverwoods and the specific neighborhood of North Riverwoods, a small collection of homes that are part of the Ryerson Conservation Area. “Houses are part of a beautiful forest preserve. It’s very welcoming,” says Dawn Forman, a broker with @properties with about seven years of real estate experience. “It’s common to see a red fox, deer and other wildlife on or near your property,” says Honore Frumentino, a broker with @properties with nearly 50 years of experience. “Almost any time of year is beautiful here. When there’s snow, it looks like a winter wonderland, and it looks magnificent in the fall.” Much of the neighborhood is occupied by the nearly 600 acres and the six-and-a-half miles of trails that are part of the Ryerson Conservation Area. The trails go past historic buildings built when the area was used as a retreat 100 years ago for Chicago’s business elite. Most of these buildings are next to the Des Plaines River. When at least 4 inches of snow are on the ground, the trails are used for cross-country skiing. The Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is part of the forest preserve and is the hub for education related to the outdoors. There are programs for underprivileged children and adults who may not have access to nature. Some of the educational programs include art and photography. They also focus on nature’s relationship with mental well-being. Houses are on large plots of land ranging from a quarter acre to 2 acres. “The village of Riverwoods allows people to have horses on more than 2 acres, but there aren’t as many people who have them as there used to be,” says Frumentino. “It’s more common for people to have chickens.” Older homes from the 1950s and ‘60s that have not been renovated are priced between $600,000 and $800,000. Renovated homes from that era with up to six bedrooms and over 3,000 square feet range from $800,000 to $1 million. Sprawling estates over 5,000 square feet can be priced up to $2 million. “In the summer, the amount of trees on the property provides a lot of natural shade,” Frumentino adds. The neighborhood is peaceful, with a very good 2 overall CAP crime score, below the 4 national average. Since most of the neighborhood consists of homes in a wooded area, most of the commercial businesses will be further west on Deerfield Road on the other side of the Des Plaines River. Woodman’s Food Market is a popular Chicago-area grocery store open 24 hours. There’s also a gas station and a car wash on site. Wildfire Steakhouse says on its website that it’s a modern-day 1940s dinner club. There’s music from that era coming through the sound system, plenty of cozy booths and old-time photographs are on the wall. Next door is Big Bowl, which serves authentic pan-Asian cuisine specializing in Thai hot pepper shrimp and crispy chicken dumplings. For a public school option, the neighborhood is partially served by the Deerfield School District Number 109, with Wilmot Elementary School scoring an A on Niche. The ratio of students to teachers is an excellent 12-to-1. Charles J. Caruso Middle School has an even better 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio and an A on Niche. Students as young as sixth grade can join unique clubs like the drone racing club, where students can learn all aspects of drones, including aeronautics and mechanics. Deerfield High School gets an A-plus grade on Niche. The express train from the Deerfield Metra station takes commuters to downtown Chicago for a 35-minute trip. The closest public bus stop is on the corner of Deerfield Road and Milwaukee Avenue. “The appeal of North Riverwoods is for people who want to be in the suburbs, but not a ‘Married with Children’ suburban feel,” Frumentino says.

Nestled along the Des Plaines River and surrounded by dense woodlands, scenic golf courses, and miles of conservation land, Indian Trail Estates offers a sparse suburban setting with easy access to big city life in Chicago.<br><br>You won’t find sidewalks here as large residential lots extend to the street edge. Towering, mature trees are ubiquitous and provide cooling shade in the warm summer months. Winding roads and narrow cut-throughs frame well-cared-for lawns and lush landscaping. Homes in Indian Trail Estates are far from cookie-cutter – you’ll find everything from tidy ranch-style houses and classic Foursquares to expanded colonial revivals and stone and slate mansions. Homes typically sell in the $300,000s to the mid $600,000s, but you’ll find some houses with price tags north of $1 million. <br><br>Families will appreciate the high-quality public schools that serve the area. Wilmot Elementary School carries an overall A grade on Niche and teaches a curriculum that emphasizes creativity and the arts. Charles J. Caruso Middle School has a student-teacher ratio of nine to one, well below the Illinois state average. As part of its commitment to educating the whole student, Deerfield High School offers more than 60 clubs and activities and over 30 athletic teams. Nearby Riverwoods Montessori School is a private education option. <br>Fun outdoor adventures are never far away for residents of Indian Trail Estates. The Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area supports some of Illinois’ most pristine woodlands and endangered animal species. It is also protected by special conservation land rules, meaning no bicycles, pets or snowmobiles are allowed. Visitors are, however, welcome to cross-country ski in the winter if the snow is at least four inches deep. Kids are delighted to encounter sheep, goats and chickens on the farm, and folks of all ages enjoy butterfly spotting in the rain garden. <br><br>“I highly recommend the Maple Syrup Hikes in Ryerson for families with young children. They learn about tree tapping, and they even get to assist in the process,” says Eileen Campbell, a real estate agent who has sold a number of homes in the area. Campbell also recommends visiting Bicentennial Park, a pocket park with a large, open play area, well-maintained playground equipment and a free little library. It’s a quick walk no matter where you are in the village. <br><br>Restaurants in the area include Upper Crust Bagels, a popular spot for deli fare, shiva meals, and, of course, bagels. Café De Oro serves hand-crafted classic coffee drinks, unique single-origin pour-overs, and light snacks in cozy digs. Sitting on the balcony, sipping delicious wine and chatting with knowledgeable and friendly staff makes a visit to Lynfred Winery feel like a vacation. Local folks pick up groceries at Whole Foods, Woodman’s Food Market or Fresh Farms International Market. <br><br>Indian Trail Estates residents have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to shopping. Beauty lounges, spas, repair shops and casual eateries can be found in River Run Plaza. Deerfield Square is an upscale retail destination and home to major retailers like LOFT, Scout & Molly’s and Athleta.