Bangs Lake has been the heart of Wauconda since the Winnebago people harvested the land prior to its settlement in the mid-1800s. Centuries later, a village of 14,000 residents who value access to its natural offerings, local establishments and neighborly feel developed along its shorelines. “Whatever you are looking for in a community, you can find it in Wauconda,” says Christie Sommers, a Realtor with James Sotheby’s International Realty and longtime resident. “It’s very friendly and welcoming. If you need something, somebody will always be there to help you.”
Wauconda resident is enjoying a drink with a view at Docks Bar & Grill.
Wauconda's residents can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle on the waters of Bangs Lake.
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Spend time by the lake at Phil's Beach
Locals cover Phil's Beach with colorful towels and chairs during warmer months. “The lake during summer is just gorgeous, and it’s nonstop traffic with boats and waterskiing,” Sommers says. “When it’s cold out, you will see fishermen out on the lake ice fishing.” The neighboring Lakewood Forest Preserve offers wooded trails for natural immersion, and community parks across the city are a bike ride away from most homes. “On a normal day when it’s nice outside, all you see is kids,” Sommers says. Youth sports are also a fixture of the community, and it's common to see signs in front yards supporting young Lake County athletes.
Watersports are a common way to enjoy a summer's day in Wauconda.
Lakewood Forest Preserve is an impressive forest preserve that is easily accessible.
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Wauconda's 19th-century homes and waterfront properties
The median price for a single-family home in Wauconda is $320,000, which falls below the national figure. Downtown’s surrounding streets feature the village’s oldest homes, which date back to the late 19th century and present an array of architectural styles of the era. Mid-20th-century suburbs fan outward alongside recently built subdivisions like Meadows of Liberty Lakes with new traditional styles. Despite waterfront properties being a hot commodity, prices along the lake vary greatly, from around $400,000 to just over $1 million. A handful of condos and townhomes are also available on and off the waterfront.
Mid-century ranch style homes with manicured yards are a common sight in Wauconda.
New traditional homes line Wauconda's waterfront featuring private docks and expansive yards.
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Residents gather for Trick or Treat on Main Street
“The village is constantly getting the public involved and interacting with each other,” Sommers says. Downtown glows for the Holiday Lights on Main celebration in late November and fills for Trick or Treat on Main Street. Attendees of the latter can also expect a pumpkin carving competition and several other activities for all ages. “Halloween is huge here, and everyone gets dressed up, including the dogs,” Sommers says. “The adults even do trick-or-treating with a wagon full of adult treats.”
Downtown is a hub for local establishments
Banners with the village’s slogan, "Water, Spirit, Wonder," line Main Street, where locally owned shops and mom-and-pop restaurants sit within longstanding brick-clad storefronts. “The village is trying to encourage even more businesses to come into town,” Sommers says. Dining lakeside at spots like Lindy’s Landings is another popular village pastime. “It’s right on the water, so if you bring the kids, they can play in the sand and water while you eat or drink,” Sommers shares. Though there’s a Jewel-Osco in town for groceries, residents must head to surrounding towns like Lake Zurich, 6 miles southeast, and Mundelein, 8 miles east, for big-box retail shopping.
Lindy's Landing is an established American restaurant, bar, and marina in Robert Meadow Hill.
Wauconda residents can head over to Mundelein for big box retailers like TJMaxx.
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Wauconda Community Unit School District No. 118 offers technology for learning from home
Fremont School District No. 79 serves a small portion of the village’s eastern portion and maintains an A-minus rating on Niche. The remainder of the students attend B-plus-rated Wauconda Community Unit School District No. 118. The district offers students tablets and laptops to work from home when freezing winter temperatures drop below negative 34 degrees and schools are closed. “We are more apt to close for a “cold day” than for snow,” Sommers says. Local private institutions include Frassati Catholic Academy and Da Vinco Waldorf School.
Frassati Catholic Academy is a highly rated, private, Catholic school located in Wauconda, IL.
Wauconda High offers a variety of unique courses including sports marketing and entertainment.
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Getting around Lake County
State Route 176 and U.S. Highway 12 intersect the village’s southwestern corner, linking commuters to Lake County’s leading employers, which includes one of the largest concentrations of Fortune 500 headquarters in the Midwest. U.S. Highway 12 also connects the area to Chicago 46 miles southeast. Those making daily trips into the Windy City for work can also take an hour-long ride along Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line from Barrington Station, 8 miles south.
Wauconda's crime statistics
According to FBI data, Wauconda’s recorded violent crime increased while property crime decreased slightly. “A lot of the people who move up this way appreciate the safety in this area,” Sommers says. “I can send my kids to the park and not worry about anything.”
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