Oak Park Real Estate & Information

The birthplace of Ernest Hemingway, the Village of Oak Park lies just nine miles west of downtown Chicago. Home to approximately 53,125 people, the thriving Village of Oak Park offers the best in urban-suburban living. The Village’s plentiful bike lanes, trails, parks, community events, annual festivals, and local businesses keep residents on the go and involved. The Village’s “hometown” feel coupled with its close proximity to downtown Chicago and the employer-rich West Suburban commercial/technological/industrial corridor means Oak Park real estate is always in demand.

Shopping and Dining
Downtown Oak Park is vibrant, and is enjoyed by locals and others from surrounding areas. Home to a large variety of stores, high-fashion boutique shops, coffee houses, and restaurants, Downtown Oak Park offers convenience, entertainment, and sophistication without leaving the Village. There’s even an award-winning art deco-style movie theatre. Lake Kitchen + Bar serves up fresh, mostly organic multi-cultural dishes alongside fine wines and microbrews. Khyber Pass and the Klay Oven Restaurant are a delight for those who enjoy Indian cuisine. Other ethnic fare available in Oak Park includes Sagono Sushi, Papaspiros Greek restaurant, Lalo’s Mexican, Grape Leaves Mediterranean, and The King and I Thai eatery. For something a little more like home, residents can head over to the Cozy Corner Restaurant, which features American favorites from pancakes to burgers all day long. Fresh baked goodies including breads, muffins, and sandwiches are yours for the asking at Prairie Bread Kitchen. And, don’t miss the spring-to-fall Farmer’s Market - a local favorite that features high-quality, fresh produce; live bluegrass music; and delicious baked goods.

Parks and Recreation
The Village of Oak Park is bicycle-friendly, and has a long history of encouraging bicyclists in the community. Bicyclists are free to roam undisturbed by cars on the nearby Illinois Prairie Path, a 61-mile, non-motorized, public-use trail that extends across northeastern Illinois through Cook, DuPage, and Kane Counties. Additional recreational activities include: 16 parks, two of which have outdoor swimming pools and one boasting its own indoor skating rink. The Village of Oak Park is also home to seven recreation centers, six private athletic clubs, and one plant conservatory.

Living
Living in the Village of Oak Park means being part of a warm and valued community. Neighbors celebrate holidays together and enjoy the days of summer at over 300 seasonal block parties. The Village also hosts a number of yearly festivals, including the beloved, and much anticipated, annual A Day in Our Village festival. Distinctive vintage homes sit along streets lined with beautiful shade trees. Three historic districts feature beautiful homes from the 19th century and from the pre-World War Two era. The Village’s unique feel is furthered by its incredible architectural diversity, which includes styles such as: Victorian, Colonial, Georgian, Bungalow, American Four Square, and Prairie. The annual Wright Plus House Walk showcases Oak Park’s many Frank Lloyd Wright homes.

Schools, Health, Transportation
The Village of Oak Park is home to excellent, academically vigorous public schools, including eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Private schools in the area include six elementary schools, a co-ed high school, a high school for girls, and two colleges. Nearby River Grove is home to Triton College, the area’s community college. The well-known universities of the Chicago area, including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and DePaul University are only a short drive away. There are two community hospitals in Oak Park, along with a kidney dialysis center, and a mental health center. With the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), two CTA “L” trains, and the Metra train line running straight through town, commuting to work couldn’t be easier.