$228,747Average Value$192Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Friendly neighbors, sidewalks everywhere
The Westwood Forum neighborhood stays surprisingly quiet despite bordering the major retail hub surrounding the White Oaks Mall. Set back from main roads and protected by mature trees, the residential streets wind around a central park and swimming pool. "When my wife and I first moved here in 2019, we were attracted by the friendly neighbors and the sidewalks everywhere," says Vishnu Srinivasaraghavan, the neighborhood association president. "We wanted to set roots down to raise a family, and it's been a good decision. In the past couple of years, more and more young families have been moving in."
Westwood Forum is a quiet neighborhood bordering a major retail hub in Springfield.
White Oaks Mall in Westwood Forum contains a variety of retailers.
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A small neighborhood association with a big heart
The Westwood Forum Neighborhood Association charges $5 a year for those who choose to be a part of it. That money goes towards neighborhood beautification, "slow down" signs and an annual block party at Cadigan Park. Regular meetings include visits from the local alderman, the neighborhood police officer and the city police chief. "Despite the neighborhood association being small and completely voluntary, we've heard from the police chief and alderman that our meetings are some of the best attended in the city," Srinivasaraghavan says. "The chief of police has shown up to at least two of our meetings to give talks about public safety — I think that's helped the neighborhood continue to feel safe."
Westwood Forum properties are in excellent condition and are move-in ready.
Westwood Forum has well-maintained sidewalks perfect for residents to enjoy.
Westwood Forum Neighborhood Association charges $5 a year to residents.
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Beloved local park and priority membership at the swimming pool
The neighborhood contains Patrick J. Carigan Park, a small green space with a playground and baseball diamond. "People set up games of cornhole, T-ball, or ultimate frisbee there all the time," Srinivasaraghavan says. "And more than any other neighborhood I've noticed, a lot of families have dogs — so you'll see people walking dogs and playing in the park." Right next door to the park, the Colony West Swim Club is a huge part of neighborhood culture and is a hopping spot for kids in the summertime. The annual membership fee is $450 and comes with access to the pools, swim lessons and swim teams. The club also hosts regular events like family nights and a Fourth of July party. Residents of Westwood Forum get priority for membership, often skipping a long waiting list.
Patrick J. Cadigan Park is named after former board president Patrick J. Cadigan.
Westwood Forum sits on a neat grid making navigation through the neighborhood effortless.
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Walkable grocery stores and other commercial convenience
The Montvale Commons Shopping Center puts a Schnucks grocery and a few restaurants less than a mile from most homes — a walkable distance on well-maintained sidewalks. The Corkscrew Wine Emporium has regular wine-tasting events, and the brunch restaurant Three Twigs & Co. places an emphasis on sourcing local ingredients and handmade food. “We wanted to bring the feel of a modern city coffee shop,” says Emily Lewis, the owner of Three Twigs. “But at the same time, we are not a super fancy place, and we work hard to make sure everyone feels welcome.” Three Twigs hosts a block party with a bounce castle and cookout in the shopping center every year and also has regular holiday events. Bordering the neighborhood on the other side, the White Oaks Mall contains a variety of retailers. However, many stores have been closing in recent years, and some are even being converted into office space. Some locals worry this conversion will bring more traffic to the already busy streets around the mall. Surrounding White Oaks, State Route 4 is lined with big-brand shopping options, including Barnes & Noble, Target and Walmart.
Schnucks grocery is less than a mile from most homes in Westwood Forum.
Westwood Forum has several shopping plazas for a comfortable suburban lifestyle.
Three Twigs & Co. in Westwood Forum hosts a block party with a bounce castle every year.
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A newly renovated Springfield High
Zoning for elementary schools depends on location. Homes north of W Iles Avenue are served by Owen Marsh Elementary, and those to the south are served by Sandburg Elementary. Niche rated Marsh with a B-minus grade and Sandburg with a B-plus grade. Even though Sandburg Elementary is less than a mile from some homes, the busy surrounding streets mean most parents choose to drop off their kids or use the bus. All students are then zoned to attend Franklin Middle, rated B and Springfield High, rated A. Springfield High's $100 million renovation and expansion kicked off in early 2024, with plans to add a new gym and bring the building up to district standards. Christ the King Church and School sits on the neighborhood's north side, offering a private education for preschool through eighth grade.
Benjamin Franklin Middle School is an excellent school for students in the Springfield area.
Springfield High School is a highly rated public school.
Christ the King Elementary School is an excellent option for parents in Springfield, IL.
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Typical 1960s and 70s homes on quarter-acre lots
Most homes in Westwood Forum date back to the 1960s and 70s, with a few as recent as 1990. The home styles are pretty standard for that time, with brick-sided ranches and colonial-inspired split-level homes. Residents park in driveways or along the street, and mature oak trees shed orange blankets of leaves in the fall. Prices in the neighborhood range from $200,000 to $300,000, depending on the size and recency of renovations. Most yards are around a quarter-acre in size, and some have detached back garages.
Westwood Forum has many homes with two car garages and long driveways.
Immaculate lawns are a common sight in Westwood Forum.
This split-level home in Westwood Forum sits atop a small hill.
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Getting to work from Westwood Forum
Downtown Springfield, home of the state capitol building, is about 5 miles away. There is a bus line that connects from Chatham Road to the heart of the city, but it takes about 30 minutes, whereas a drive is usually 10 minutes. The city's medical district is 5 miles away, but is not accessible by any bus lines. Closer to home, there are several industrial buildings in the southeast corner of Westwood Forum. There's a dentist, hair salon and yoga studio in this business park, as well as other various office buildings.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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JULIE DAVIS,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Patrick J. Cadigan Park
Transit
Airport
Abraham Lincoln Capital
13 min drive
Bus
Iles & Haverford
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Westwood Forum
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Westwood Forum Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Westwood Forum, Springfield sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Westwood Forum, Springfield over the last 12 months is $329,900, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Very clean and well maintained 2 bed/1 bath duplex on Westside of Springfield in a very family friendly and safe neighborhood. *Shared one car garage. *Yard maintenance provided. *Basement has great storage and washer/dryer provided. *Quiet and friendly neighborhood, 2 doors down from Colony West Park and Pool. *No pets and no smoking
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
JULIE DAVIS,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
663
Median Age
54
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
37.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$81,250
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,785
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.8%
College Graduates
51.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
24.3%
% Population in Labor Force
50.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
38/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
34/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
