Third Lake is a longtime waterfront community with city convenience
If you believe life is best lived on the water, Third Lake could be the right place for you. “You really do get the best of both worlds here,” says Kendra Saemann, an administrative assistant at Village Hall who has owned property and lived in Third Lake for over ten years. “We have owned lake homes in Wisconsin, but they were too remote for us. In Third Lake, everything you need is nearby, and the Metra makes getting to those places a breeze.” Located less than 50 miles from Chicago, the Third Lake’s appeal has been apparent since the early 1800s, when it was a popular resort area for water recreation.
Former resort town now offers full-time residential living
Hotels and tourist attractions were built when the railroad came through, and private campgrounds and small seasonal cabins dotted the shorelines until the 1940s. Today, the Metra has replaced the railway, and year-round homes stand where the campgrounds and cabins used to be. You can expect to pay around $227,000 for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom split-level house with a partial lake view. The price for a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom lakefront home with 4,000 square feet of living space is $785,000.
Parks, trails and lakes support active lifestyles in all seasons
“Boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming –all a big part of this community. We have Third Lake and Druce Lake, and only residents have access to them,” Saemann says. “Motors aren’t allowed on Druce Lake, making it ideal for rowers and fishers. Third Lake, the bigger of the two, is where you take out your motorboats.” Plenty of parks and green spaces exist for those who prefer to stay on dry ground for fun. Caboose Park delivers a healthy dose of nostalgia with its merry-go-round, jungle gyms, swing sets, and an old-school train car that kids can climb on. Grant Woods Forest Preserve, which borders Third Lake to the immediate west, features open prairies, quiet woodlands and marshes teeming with wildlife. It is a popular destination for hiking, biking and dog walking in the warmer months. In the winter, the park comes alive with cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. The pillars, domes, vaults, and fresco artwork at the New Gracanica Serbian Monastery are must-sees for architecture enthusiasts.
Lake Villa and Grayslake public schools have supportive staff
Local preschool to fifth-grade students may attend B.J. Hooper Elementary School, which has an A-minus grade on Niche and a student-to-teacher ratio of just 15-1. From sixth to eighth grade, students can go to Palombi Middle School, a B-plus school on Niche known for its dedicated teachers and caring staff. From ninth to twelfth grade, students head to Grayslake North High School, which boasts a graduation rate of 97 percent and an overall A grade on Niche.
Gurnee Mills Mall, restaurants and Six Flags are easily accessible
Despite its bucolic setting, Third Lake is a hop, skip and jump away from modern shopping and entertainment. Gurnee Mills Mall is about 3 miles away and is home to major retailers like Bass Pro Shop, Burlington, Build-A-Bear and Express Factory Outlet. There is a Walmart Supercenter and a Sam’s Club across the street from Gurnee Mills Mall for groceries. Go east on West Grand Avenue and across Interstate 94 to arrive at Six Flags Great America and its many thrill rides, kid attractions and family-friendly shows. After a day of shopping and ride hopping, refuel at Something’s Brewing, a favorite local eatery just south of the lakes on Route 45.
Photography Contributed By
Chris Jeong
