$266,531Average Value$201Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Quiet lifestyle on Wonder Lake
What started as a summertime resort for Chicago residents 100 years ago has become a place where people live year-round. The Hickory Falls neighborhood is on the east side of Wonder Lake in the village of the same name, about 65 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. “It’s a little too far for people who work in downtown Chicago, so people live here and work elsewhere,” says Mike Ginn, a Realtor with Keller Williams Success Realty. “People are attracted to this area because it’s peaceful. The quality-of-life aspect is very important.” Although it’s in northern Illinois, it’s not part of the Chain O’Lakes area. “That’s about 15 minutes away,” he says. “This is a private lake for use by the residents.”
Year-round activities on Wonder Lake
There are several boat launches around the lake, and warm weather brings out the boaters, swimmers and those who like to fish. Activities on the water can also occur in the winter. “There’s ice fishing and snowmobile races if the ice freezes hard enough,” Ginn says. Lookout Point Park and Boat Launch is part of the neighborhood but is only accessible to residents, consistent with the private classification of the lake. Aside from fun on the water, the Harrison Benwell Conservation Area is 75 acres and is part of the more extensive McHenry County Conservation District, which has 25,000 acres of protected land countywide. Trails coursing through the wooded, stream-laden preserve attract springtime hikers and snowy cross-country skiers.
Dog owners love the open spaces to play fetch at the Harrison Benwell Conservation Area.
There is a small sandy beach at Lookout Point Park and Boat Launch.
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Waterfront homes are an option in Hickory Falls
The prices vary widely depending on whether the property offers a waterfront view. Large, elevated houses at lower risk of flooding complications have sold for up to $665,000, while smaller cottages by the lake run from $300,000 to $450,000. Ranch-style and split-level houses away from the water costs $200,000 to $300,000. Lots are up to a half-acre, primarily for homes away from the water. The peaceful nature of the neighborhood is reflected in the 2 CAP crime score that the neighborhood gets, below the national average of 4.
You can find beautiful custom built lakefront homes in the Hickory Falls neighborhood.
Hickory Falls has many single story ranch homes with spacious yards.
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Events in Wonder Lake
Fresh produce and handmade goods are part of the Wonder Lake Farmers & Makers Market, held on Wednesday evenings from early May through mid-October. It takes place on the west side of the lake at the Wonder Lake village office at the corner of Wonder Lake and Thompson Roads. The village office complex is also the site for Fall Fest on the Saturday before Halloween. In early December, there’s Christmas by the Lake, with a tree-lighting ceremony, live music and pictures with Santa. That takes place on Hancock Drive on the east side of the lake.
Girls line up for hot chocolate, warming up as they enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Baked goods entice visitors at the Indoor Woodstock Farmers Market in Woodstock.
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Dining near the neighborhood or in nearby McHenry
The Busy Bee Restaurant is a diner open through dinner with a wide selection of menu items and daily specials displayed on a whiteboard as you walk in. Napoli Pizza and Beach Bar has a tropical theme inside and bright colors outside. The entrées are made with fresh ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. It’s been family-owned and operated since 1985. About 6 miles to the southeast is the village of McHenry, where D.C. Cobb’s has gourmet burgers and craft beer. Dollar General is on the east side of the lake for essentials, while larger grocery stores, such as Meijer, Jewel-Osco and Walmart Supercenter, are in McHenry.
For a hearty breakfast head over to Busy Bee restaurant in Hickory Falls.
For a quick shopping trip, Hickory Falls residents can swing by the local Dollar General.
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The elementary school runs K-8 in Wonder Lake
Students in the neighborhood who attend public school can attend Harrison School, which serves students through eighth grade. and has a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Niche gives it a C-minus. Ninth graders attend McHenry High School Freshman Campus before moving about 2 miles southwest to McHenry High School for grades 10 to 12. Both schools get a B-plus grade.
Harrison School is a great option for PK-8th grade school for families near Wonder Lake.
McHenry Community High School is a highly-rated, public school located in McHenry, IL.
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Hickory Falls is a car-dependent neighborhood
The area surrounding the village of Wonder Lake is rural. There are a few public transportation options, but a car is needed to reach the routes. A few miles south, the Pace bus stops on Route 120 and connects to the nearby communities of Woodstock and McHenry. It’s a 6-mile trip to the McHenry Metra station, which connects with the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago.
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
On average, homes in Hickory Falls, Wonder Lake sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Hickory Falls, Wonder Lake over the last 12 months is $249,950, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover a truly one-of-a-kind home in Wonder Lake! Originally crafted with creative character - not your typical cookie-cutter design - this unique property sits on a half-acre lot surrounded by mature trees and features a wraparound deck, perfect for enjoying the peaceful setting. Step inside to vaulted ceilings, bamboo hardwood floors and an open kitchen with space for an island or table plus
Beth ArmstrongBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate
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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.
