Wonder Lake was once a community of lakeside summer homes
In Wonder Lake, about 4,000 residents are part of a laid-back community with quiet roads, lakeside views and access to private beaches along the water. Though the village's population is small, it's growing rapidly and has tripled since 2000, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. New subdivisions and developments are expanding the village, which started as a vacation spot. "It was initially a place for second homes of wealthy people from Chicago," says Louise Berger, a Re/Max Plaza broker with over 30 years of experience selling in the area. "A lot of homes there started as summer cottages." Now, old and new homes attract permanent residents seeking family friendly living and waterfront recreation. "Wonder Lake, or Wonderful Lake as I call it, is a great place to live," Berger says. "It's especially wonderful for people who enjoy the water."
Older homes are along the water, while newer homes are farther away
Cape Cods and workers' cottages are among the oldest and least expensive in the village, in waterside neighborhoods like Deep Spring Woods and Shore Hills. They range between $70,000 and $250,000. The area grew outward from the lake, and ranch-style and split-level homes from the middle of the 20th century are a mid-point, both in size and price. They often sell for between $200,000 and $350,000. New traditional styles from the past few decades are outside the lake's immediate boundaries and range from $310,000 to $700,000. Some lakeside houses, old and new, fetch prices as high as $900,000. The median price in Wonder Lake is $275,000, significantly below the national median of around $400,000. "A lot of people moving there are happy to have the use of the lake at a lower price than neighborhoods to the east," Berger says. "The farther east you go, the pricier the homes are, especially around lakes. So, Wonder Lake is affordable in comparison."
Private beaches and parks for each subdivision or community
Wonder Lake is private, without public access to waterside parks, beaches or boat launches. Instead, "There are private beaches and boat launches all around the lake, each associated with different subdivisions and communities," Berger says. Lakeside beaches include those maintained by Indian Ridge, Lookout Point and Wonder Center. Residents fish, swim, kayak and race sailboats in the water and can enjoy a nationally award-winning ski show from the shore. Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team performs on Fridays between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. Performer events include jumps, acrobatics, dances and a four-tier human pyramid – all while on water skis. The team competes in tournaments and has won five National Show Ski Championship awards.
Children attend different school districts based on residency
As of the most recent United States census, nearly half the households in Wonder Lake have children under 18 living in them. "It's a very family oriented place," Berger says. Depending on which side of the lake they live on, children attend either Woodstock Community Unit School District No. 200 or Harrison School District 36. Those on the west side attend Woodstock's Greenwood Elementary School, followed by Northwood Middle School. Both are rated B-plus by Niche. Woodstock North High School is rated A-minus. Children on the east side of the lake can begin learning at Harrison Elementary School, rated C-minus. The school is the only one in the district, teaching kindergarten through eighth grade, and feeds into McHenry Community High School, rated B-plus.
An annual celebration of lights and boats
Wonder Lake Yacht Club holds a fireworks show and a parade of boats on Venetian Night, a local celebration for the Fourth of July. Boat owners decorate their boats with inflatables, lights and themed décor to cruise around the perimeter of the lake after sunset. Judges vote on a winning boat each year, keeping the decorations fresh and ever-growing.
The village participates in an all-village garage sale each spring. A farmers market is at the local city hall on Wednesdays from May through October.
McHenry and Woodstock have employers and trains to Chicago
Wonder Lake is about 70 miles from downtown Chicago. Illinois Route 120 is south of the lake and leads to McHenry and Woodstock, the two nearest cities. "A lot of Wonder Lake residents work in and commute to McHenry," Berger says. "There are also train services in McHenry and in Woodstock that go to the city." Chicago O'Hare International Airport is 47 miles southeast, about an hour away. Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital are each within 15 miles of Wonder Lake.
Limited shopping keeps the village private and quiet
Limited pubs, grills and restaurants are around the lake, and Dollar General and Village Market are nearby for quick grocery trips. "There are no big shopping centers, but that's one of the nice things about the area that keeps it private and quiet," Berger says. National grocery stores, big-box retailers, chain restaurants and home improvement centers are in Woodstock and McHenry.
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