Schaumburg

In the northeastern section of Illinois, just under an hour west of Lake Michigan, East Schaumburg lies on the western edge of a popular nature preserve and provides its residents with schools rated in the A range, a classic suburban lifestyle and some eclectic local eateries perfect for a night out. “It’s a huge draw for families,” says Sarah Leonard, broker and team leader of the Sarah Leonard Team and owner of Legacy Properties. “The schools are the biggest draw, but it also attracts commuters because of its location. There’s so much to do, from the nearby parks to Woodfield Mall, which brings a ton of people to the area.” Many homes in East Schaumburg sell for between $250,000 and $400,000, though a large number sell for up to $500,000 and a few upwards of $1 million are located within the neighborhood as well. Townhouses, like multi-level brick units, are also popular in the area, as are single-family homes. “Those areas were established in the 1960s and into the late 1970s, while the townhouses were mostly built in the 1990s” Leonard says. “Homeowners have done a nice job of modernizing them.” Along East Schaumburg’s streets, residents can find properties with Craftsman, colonial and modern designs along with pools, manicured lawns, garages and overall classic suburban flair throughout. Michael Collins Elementary School, which derives its name from the Apollo 11 command module’s pilot on the 1969 moon mission, is where students can find education from kindergarten through sixth grade. Given an A-minus from Niche, it ranks highly in terms of its teaching staff throughout the state. Margaret Mead Junior High School is enrollment’s next stop for grades seven and eight, ranked in the top 100 middle schools in Illinois and receiving an A from Niche. Grade-school learning concludes at James B. Conant High School, which gets an A-plus and is listed by Niche as one of the top 20 best public high schools statewide. The home of the Cougars offers numerous organizations with focuses such as playing guitar, investigating the paranormal and more. Busse Woods is one of the region’s most popular outlets when it comes to getting outside. The officially-named Ned Brown Forest Preserve spans nearly 4,000 acres to the east of East Schaumburg. It has amenities for taking walks, biking and more beneath the canopy of foliage, and visitors are bound to see some wildlife while enjoying its scenery. The Vera Meineke Nature Center at Spring Valley is another popular destination, which sprawls for more than 100 acres, encompassing marshes and fields, and the nature center itself has educational exhibits. On the same property, the Heritage Farm pays homage to the area’s past, and the Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground is also nearby. “There’s a ton of restaurants,” Leonard says. “There’s chains like Ruth’s Chris and Seasons 52, regional establishments like Weber Grill and also some little cafes.” Some of the other eateries in the area include Kids Art & Café on Plum Grove Road, which doubles as a coffee shop and ice cream parlor with an indoor playground, and New Delhi Restaurant of India on Meacham Road with its authentic fare and atmosphere. Regional stop Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant also has a location in the southwestern portion of the East Schaumburg neighborhood. For most shopping necessities, look no further than Woodfield Mall. Located right across Interstate 72 from Schaumburg and with more than 200 outlets for dining, shopping, entertainment and more, Woodfield is the largest mall in the entire state of Illinois. “It’s got some incredible department stores, so everyone goes there,” Leonard says. “The mall has so many things, from Nordstrom to Peppa Pig World of Play to Build-a-Bear. It’s for anyone and everyone and it’s a melting pot of people.” From browsing at Foot Locker and Forever 21, to eating at chains like Subway, Chipotle and Burger King, to finding entertainment products at the LEGO Store or GameStop, it’s a one-stop-shop where an entire day could be spent. East Schaumburg residents can hop on Route 72, which comprises the northern side of the neighborhood and runs through Busse Woods, and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway runs just north of the preserve. “It’s one of the best locations because you’re central to many tollways, so it’s convenient,” Leonard says. Schaumburg Road slices through the center of the neighborhood, while Interstate 290 makes up the eastern side and runs right into downtown Chicago, which is just under an hour to the east.

“If you need something, you go to the Woodfield area of Schaumburg,” says real estate broker Jackie Lynch. “Every major retailer, jewelry store, furniture seller, warehouse store — any store you can think of — is there.” Home to hundreds of retail and commercial businesses and highways that run through it, Woodfield is also convenient to the northern and southern suburbs, as well as O’Hare Airport. “You can get most anywhere in 20 minutes,” Lynch says. She grew up in the city and has sold real estate in Chicago for 30 years. “Highway access is a big deal because the area is so densely packed.” Of all the retail amenities in the area, Woodfield Mall stands out as the crown jewel. The second-largest shopping mall in Illinois and one of the largest in the country, Woodfield features nearly 300 stores, specialty shops and restaurants and gets over 27 million visitors yearly. It also hosts carnivals in the summer. “It’s a place where people go to meet — it’s so central,” Lynch says. “For my high school reunion, we met at Westwood Tavern. It has a gigantic bar, party rooms and an outdoor space in the summer. Woodfield has several places like that.” Eateries are numerous too. Egg Harbor Café serves omelets, breakfast bowls, salads and sandwiches. Bowling, arcade games and craft beer are on the menu at Enterrium, an upscale sports bar, restaurant and urban chic hang-out. Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Costo and several other grocers are nearby. The area also features the Legoland Discovery Center Chicago and the AMC Streets of Woodfield 20 cinemas. Only a fraction of this heavily commercial neighborhood is residential, primarily the area surrounding Birch Park. Here, single-family ranch-style houses built in the late ’50s sit on half-acre lots, selling for between $230,000 and $600,000. Townhouses are even more abundant, with an enclave off Plum Grove Road, built during the 1980s, called Weathersfield North. These homes offer one- and two-car garages and community amenities, including a clubhouse and pool. They sell for between $200,000 and $365,000. Weathersfield North also features two-bedroom condos with attached one-car garages that sell in the $200,000s. “With all the housing options, big families with four or five kids and singles can each find a home that fits them,” Lynch says. “The mix is good.” The Prairie Arts Festival is held over Memorial Day weekend at the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center. Approximately 100 painters, sculptors, photographers and other artists showcase their work at this juried exhibition and sale. Over Labor Day weekend, Septemberfest marks the end of summer with an arts & crafts show, a carnival, fireworks and a citywide parade. Birch Park draws youngsters and ball players with its playground, half basketball court and grassy lawn. K-9 Dog Park has an agility area and plenty of space to socialize and play. Residents can also bike, boat and fish at nearby Busse Woods, a nature preserve with elk and ancient forests. With Routes 58 and 72 and Interstates 90 and 290 passing through or near it, Woodfield provides easy access to most of Chicagoland. O’Hare International, the largest of Chicago’s two airports, is only 15 miles southeast. The Pace Bus runs down Golf Road/Route 58 through the neighborhood, and several other routes loop around the Woodfield Mall area. Bike lanes and paths crisscross the city, and a dedicated bike lane runs down Ash Road through the neighborhood. The schools that serve Woodfield all received top marks from Niche. Fairview Elementary has been named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. At Hellen Keller Junior High, athletes compete on the district level in several sports, including cross-country, basketball and track. At James B. Conant High, students have qualified for state and national competitions in sports and other activities, such as debate and business leadership. While Woodfield is surrounded by commercial and industrial businesses that typically see higher crime, it received a modest 4 out of 10 rating from the CAP Index, which matches the U.S. average. The closest hospital is Ascension Saint Alexius to the west, which offers 24/7 emergency care and a level II trauma center. To the north, Harper College is one of the largest community colleges serving Chicago’s northwest suburbs.

West Schaumburg knows the meaning of a good harvest. While this community was once an agricultural breadbasket, today it’s considered a bucket list location. Money magazine once called West Schaumburg the best place to live in Illinois – and a top ten place to live in America. This place is for locals who value access to excellent schools as well as retail and dining destinations but want a suburban experience centered around natural landscapes. West Schaumburg is a popular and growing neighborhood. One of the distinguishing features of West Schaumburg is how the streets curve around parks and ponds, providing a different experience from the typical grid layout. Prices for homes are generally between $190,000 and $532,000 that were built around the 1970s and 1980s. The lower end of the scale is for one and two-bedroom condos and townhouses, and more expensive homes in the neighborhood are often three- and four-bedroom Tudor style, ranch style, and split-level homes in various earthy colors. Across the entire neighborhood there is a classic suburban experience, with attached garages, quarter-acre lots, and streets with sidewalks. West Schaumburg students can start at Campanelli Elementary School, which receives an A rating on Niche, or Blackwell Elementary School, which earns a B-plus. At the A-rated Jane Addams Junior High, over 700 students have access to various extracurriculars, from yoga club to yearbook club, and the school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019. Students finish up at the A-plus rated Schaumburg High School, which has received the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award. Many locals head to the Gray Farm Park and Conservation Area for a relaxing day of natural immersion. While many parks and ponds are scattered throughout West Schaumburg, this is the centerpiece. “This is a 47-acre multi-use park that includes a playground, picnic areas, bike trail and fishing lake, in addition to a large open water marsh” says Becky Wyskochil, a communications specialist for over 6 years with the Village of Schaumburg. On the neighborhood's northern end, there is also Golf and Knollwood Park, which offers a large open space with athletic fields and a playset. “Schaumburg has more than 250 restaurants, and many local favorites are near Gray Farm,” Wyskochil says. One such favorite is the casual but delicious restaurant Dan Thai, which serves up garlic pepper stir-fried chicken. The intersecting Barrington Road can be conveniently accessed by car or bus for numerous retail options, including the Prairie Town Center, a shopping mall with big names like Kohl’s and Sephora. Residents also head this way for running daily errands at the nearby Jewel-Osco and Target. Barrington Road holds a vital role beyond shopping, as it is also used for accessing Interstate 90, which makes downtown Chicago easily reachable. However, cars are only one method of transportation, as the multitude of parks and sidewalks mean that many locals choose to walk or bike through the streets. O'Hare International Airport is 22 miles from the neighborhood for global and local trips unreachable by car. For medical care, many locals head to St. Alexian Hospital, which is 3 miles north and specializes in critical care, cancer care and stroke care. The village hosts two large annual events. The Prairie Arts Festival on Memorial Day weekend offers over 100 different artist demonstrations and vendor booths. There is also Septemberfest, which includes a parade, craft show and plenty of food and drink for locals to enjoy. The Schaumburg Farmers Market operates from June to October and provides fresh produce every Friday. In the summer months, residents of West Schaumburg delight in heading to the neighborhood’s southern end to get to Atcher Island Outdoor Pool, a tropical-themed water park with many colorful water slides and a children's playground.

With quiet streets and a spacious, suburban layout, Hoover Park of the greater Schaumburg area is a peaceful residential community. Removed from the village center and encompassing only a few blocks within a 1-mile radius, Hoover Park offers convenience to big-city amenities, an excellent array of public and private school options, and many dynamic parks. "What makes it most attractive is its location and proximity to places like O'Hare International Airport," says Christopher Lobrillo, Managing Broker at Grandview Realty, LLC, who has been selling real estate in the area for 20 years. "It's one of the best suburbs in the Chicago area." The proximity to the airport provides residents with access to 760 domestic nonstop flights to 152 U.S. cities every day. Homes in Hoover Park trend toward newer construction options, but residents can also find split-levels and ranch-style homes here. Price points in Hoover Park vary, but homes built circa 1970 will start for around $300,000, and can sell for upwards of $475,000 depending on the property’s size. For those looking for additional space, some cul-de-sacs in Hoover Park boast large colonial-inspired luxury builds, which can start in the $500,000s, and some going for as high as $840,000. For residents looking to go for a walk or a run, Hoover Park's streets are lined with sidewalks, and homes here feature small front/back yards with space for kids to play. "When people are looking to live in that area of the Chicago suburbs, the schools are what set it apart from other neighborhoods," Lorbillo says. Part of the Schaumburg School District, Hoover Park offers impressive public school options, like Enders-Salk Elementary, Hellen Keller Junior High and Schaumburg High School, all three of which received an A-minus or better from the educational review site, Niche. Schaumburg High School boasts over 60 clubs and after-school activities, with many of their sports and debate teams having seen state finals. For locals looking for private school options, Schaumburg Christian School, a pre-K through 12th grade institution, earned an A grade from Niche. For those who need a daily dose of nature, Hoover Park is home to Volkening Lake. Residents can follow the paved walking trail around the lake, push canoes and kayaks off the launch or settle down for a serene picnic. Hoover Park also features various athletic fields, a basketball court and pickleball and tennis courts too. For family outings, Hoover Park also includes a picnic area and a playground. While the community of Hoover Park doesn't have any restaurants within the neighborhood, it does have a variety of options nearby. Just 3 miles away, residents can head to Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai for some authentic Japanese ramen. Five miles away they’ll find Westwood Tavern, which locals enjoy for its outdoor seating, two fireplaces and customized wine menu. Westwood Tavern is also known for its freshly prepared burgers. For groceries, residents can head to Tony's Fresh Market, or pop over to the local Target, both located along Schaumburg Road. For an even larger assortment of retail options, the Woodfield Mall—the largest shopping mall in Illinois—is just 4 miles away and features large-scale department stores like Macy's and Nordstrom, plus big brand stores like Apple. If commuting is required, the neighborhood is bordered by U.S. Routes 58 and 72, which funnel into Interstate 290 — essential for Chicago travel; and Downtown Chicago is a 33-mile drive from Hoover Park. While Chicago's train system, the "L," doesn't reach Hoover Park, residents can use the Schaumburg Pace Bus Service to get around. For getting out of town, O'Hare International Airport is an 18-mile drive, which can take up to 30 minutes. The airport offers 760 non-stop flights to 152 U.S. cities each day. The closest hospital is Ascension Saint Alexius, 3 miles northwest of Hoover Park. Schaumburg is also home to the Schaumburg Boomers, an independent Frontier League professional baseball team. Residents can catch a game at the nearby Wintrust Field, or attend one of the team’s various themed nights during the summer. Some game nights even feature a post-show fireworks display. Residents here enjoy spending time at The Water Works, a year-round indoor water park that features several slides, pools of differing depths and even water playgrounds. They also offer swim lessons and aquatic aerobics.

With thriving commercial and business centers, entertainment venues, major highway access, and one of the largest populations in the western Chicago suburbs, the village of Schaumburg is a busy place. What sets South Schaumburg apart is how solidly residential it is. “The South Schaumburg neighborhood is outside the hustle and bustle of the commercial district,” says Realtor and managing broker Mary Myzia with Re/Max Suburban. Myzia has sold real estate in the area for 40 years and is one of its top sellers. “South Schaumburg is the quiet part of town,” Myzia says, “and very walkable.” Schools, parks, retail spaces and residences are all within arm’s reach. Most homes in South Schaumburg are three- and four-bedroom ranch-style houses, split-levels and bi-levels with comfortable backyards that sell for between $300,000 and $700,000. “The neighborhood is a big family place,” says Vanessa Carlson, broker-owner of iRealty Flat Fee Brokerage, who’s sold in the area since 2006. “It’s not a nightlife type of place.” The homes' size and the neighborhood's suburban feel are kid-friendly, with few cars parked on the street and sidewalks lining every roadway. Two- and three-bedroom townhouses are also available for $275,000 to $500,000, and smaller condominiums and ranch quad homes, built as four units, sell for between $170,000 to $270,000. Contemporary new home constructions can list for as high as $1.4 million. Residents shop locally along Roselle Road, where they have a Jewel-Osco grocery store and Tony’s Fresh Market to choose from. The Schaumburg Farmers Market is also on Roselle, held on Fridays from June through October. Dining options are global here and include Nigerian, Brazilian, Mexican and Polish cuisine. Restaurants like the upscale Opolska, which serves dishes from the Opole Region of Poland, put South Schaumburg on the culinary map. More retail and dining options are available on South Barrington Road, where there’s a Walmart Supercenter and a Home Depot. In May, the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center features the Prairie Arts Festival where over 100 artists showcase their work. “The grounds around the municipal center are huge and beautiful,” Myzia says. “There are hiking trails, a sculpture park and an amphitheater.” Septemberfest, the city’s premier event, is held here, too, with live music, a carnival, fireworks and a citywide parade. The schools that serve South Schaumburg all received As from Niche. They include Nathan Hale Elementary, where gifted students are taught using an accelerated curriculum. At Robert Frost Junior High, seventh and eighth graders can enroll in the school’s English-Spanish Dual Language Program. Schaumburg High, an A-plus school, offers over 60 dual-credit courses through local colleges like Harper College, one of the largest community colleges serving Chicago’s northwest suburbs. Parks in South Schaumburg dot the neighborhood, and many border backyards, like Freedom Park, with its paved walking paths and sand-cushioned playground. At Eagle Park, a neighborhood centerpiece, the community has access to baseball fields, basketball courts, bike paths and tennis courts. Neighborhood centers like the one at Bock Park feature pools, meeting rooms and community services such as preschools. The Schaumburg Park District Sport Center, just south of the 390 tollway, is an all-indoor facility offering youth and adult programs. While most amenities in South Schaumburg are walkable, bike lanes and paths outline the neighborhood. The Pace Bus runs along major roadways and offers a free Dial-A-Ride service for seniors. Just south of the neighborhood, the Schaumburg Metra station offers service to Downtown Chicago, and the nearby Irving Park Road and 390 tollway connect to O’Hare International Airport, a 15-mile car ride, and the Loop, 30 miles away. South Schaumburg scored a 3 out of 10 on crime from the CAP Index, giving it a lower crime rate than the national average. The closest hospital to the north is Ascension Saint Alexius, which offers 24/7 emergency care and a level II trauma center. In the neighborhood’s southwest corner, the Masjid Al Huda Midwest Islamic Center has served 5,000 families in the Greater Chicagoland area since 1992, and Wintrust Field, a minor league baseball stadium, is where the Schaumburg Boomers play.

Once part of a 19th-century farming community called “Sarah’s Grove,” Schaumburg was renamed in the 1850s to reflect many of its residents’ German Heritage. Long before that, the Sauk, Fox, Pottawatomie, and Kickapoo tribes called the land home. Today, the village — specifically the collection of streets known as the Olde Schaumburg Centre (OSC) Historic District — has managed to maintain its old-timey appeal. 2010s-era townhomes, for instance, mirror classic Chicago row houses, and, although businesses have changed hands over the years, storefronts on road Schaumburg Road and Roselle Road still have century-old charm. In 2017, Money magazine ranked Schaumburg the 9th best place to live in the country, and it’s also been named “the best place to live in Illinois.” For good reason, according to Wendy Lee, a Real Estate Broker with Leegacy Realty Group who’s amassed over 20 years of industry experience. “I would describe the area that Olde Schaumburg sits in as a big little city with 80,000 residents," she says. Townhome living is common in Olde Schaumburg. A one-bedroom property with an attached garage dating back to the 1980s can sell for just under $200,000, whereas a larger two-bedroom with brick siding might hover around $250,000. Three-bedroom units in the Pleasant Square development, many of which reflect the style of old Chicago row homes, can sell for upwards of $500,000. Prospective buyers will also find single-family ranch-styles and split-level homes built in the 1970s listed in the mid-$400,000s and, on the highest end of the spectrum, four-bedroom traditional homes hovering around $600,000. During Chicago’s famous winters, snow covers the Schaumburg sidewalks, and neighborhood kids use front yard space to make snowmen. Olde Schaumburg students can attend schools like Michael Collins Elementary, which serves grades Kindergarten through six, Robert Frost Junior High for grades seven and eight and James B Conant High. All three schools received an A-minus or higher from the educational review site, Niche, and Conant students have the unique opportunity to select their own courses with the help of counselors and teachers. Those who choose to pursue the arts will be asked to prepare portfolios for entry into a college scholarship program or art profession during their senior year, and high schoolers in the business department can gain on-the-job experience through the business internship program. Although Interstates 290 and 90 provide easy access to surrounding neighborhoods and Downtown Chicago 30 miles east, daily errands are easily managed at neighborhood stops like Tony’s Fresh Market in Schaumburg Town Square. Nearby, locals enjoy family-owned restaurants like Walker Bros. Original Pancake House, a regional chain that’s been serving the Chicago suburbs for over 50 years. Make sure to order their famous apple pancakes and thick-cut bacon. Or stop by Lou Malnati's Pizzeria at the intersection of Schaumburg Road and Roselle Road, a go-to place in town for deep-dish pizza. A bit farther south, Opolska has a menu of authentic Polish classics like stuffed cabbage and Czwartek (Polish meatballs). According to Roxas, the Schaumburg area is also known for the Woodfield Mall, the largest mall in all of Illinois. It’s anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, Nordstrom and Primark. Nearby, residents will find grocery options like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Costco Wholesale. There are also performance venues like Improv, which hosts touring comedians. On Friday mornings from June through October, residents gather in the Trickster Cultural Center’s parking lot for the Schaumburg Farmers Market. “Hundreds of people come out for that,” says Gina Roxas, the center’s program coordinator. “There’s vendors and live entertainment. Sometimes music, sometimes poetry.” Shop for locally-made meat pies, fresh produce and microgreens. As the market finishes up, head inside the Trickster Cultural Center. “We’re a not-for-profit Native American cultural arts center providing education about contemporary Native American culture through workshops, exhibits and school visits,” explains Roxas. There’s also the Schaumburg September Fest over Labor Day weekend; chat with vendors at the art fair, sample top menu items from local restaurants and watch local bands march in the parade on Monday morning. Schaumburg is also home to the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, which hosts a regular schedule of youth orchestra performances, a stand-up comedy series and locally-produced live theater. And those who want a taste of what Schaumburg was like in the 1880s (including 19th-century garb and livestock) stop by Volkening Heritage Farm. Finally, the Schaumburg Township District Library stretches across 166,000 square feet, and along with an impressive collection of books, includes a towering sculpture by famed glass-blower Dale Chihuly. Residential streets surround Olde Schaumburg Centre Park, which spans 7.5 acres and includes a gazebo, outdoor chess boards and brick walking trails. Admire the clock tower in Veterans Gateway Park or pack a picnic to eat beside Volkening Lake. Boat rentals here are $12 per hour, and those with an Illinois fishing license can cast lines out into the water. Part of the Chicago Athenaeum, the Schaumburg Sculpture Park features work by both international and American artists. Area golfers, meanwhile, can head to the Schaumburg Golf Club where Schaumburg Park District residents receive a discounted fee. Olde Schaumburg is just about 15 miles — or 20 minutes — from O’Hare International Airport, which offers direct flights to nearly 215 unique destinations. Although public transportation isn’t readily accessible in Olde Schaumburg, residents can park at the Schaumburg Metra Station and take the Milwaukee District / West Line all the way into Downtown Chicago for a daily fare of $6.75. Others prefer to make the 30-mile drive into the Windy City along Interstate 90 or 290, keeping in mind that traffic can get intense. Medical care is accessible at the Northwest Community Healthcare/Hospital, a 489-bed acute care facility, and Ascension Saint Alexius, a destination for cancer and stroke care, orthopedics, women’s health and more.