Chicago suburbs guide

Quick insights

• The suburbs of Chicago offer an outstanding quality of life with large homes, spacious backyards, excellent school districts and family-oriented activities.
• The suburban lifestyle can be a great place to raise a family, experience a slower pace of life and have easy access to Chicago’s amenities without living in the city.
• From organic markets to close-knit communities and beautiful greenery, Chicago suburbs provide access to many amenities like grocery stores and shopping centers.

Introduction to Chicago suburbs

Chicago suburbs can be an appealing option to homebuyers especially couples looking to start a family or parents with young children. Some suburban communities are just a few miles away from downtown Chicago, while others are further out and require a longer commute. The suburbs are located within five geographic areas: Northern, Northwestern, Southern, Southwestern and Western.

• North suburbs: Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette and Highland Park.
• Northwestern suburbs: Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines and Arlington Heights.  
• South suburbs: Matteson, Richton Park, Country Club Hills and Park Forest.
• Southwest suburbs: Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn Palos Hills and Orland Park.
• Western suburbs: Oak Park, Oak Brook, Elmhurst and Naperville

When purchasing a home in the suburbs, you may want to consider a few things such as location, commute time and amenities. As a new suburbanite, be prepared to drive on highways or take the Metra train for work commutes, shopping and other errands. Suburbs are typically car-centric neighborhoods and amenities are spread out more widely compared to the city.

Largest suburbs in Chicago

The five largest suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area are Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Elgin and Waukegan.

• Aurora: According to Illinois Demographics by Cubit, the population in Aurora is over 177,000ftn-1. Aurora is the second-most populous city in Illinois. Aurora is home to the Paramount Theater, Phillips Park Zoo and recreational opportunities along the Fox River.
• Naperville: According to Illinois Demographics by Cubit, the population in Naperville is over 150,000ftn-1. Naperville is a prosperous suburb with a strong economy and quality schools. Explore the forest preserves and outdoor havens like the Naperville Riverwalk and Centennial Beach.
• Joliet: According to Illinois Demographics by Cubit, the population in Joliet is over 150,000ftn-1. Joliet is home to the Chicagoland Speedway. The city features museums, restaurants and concert venues. 
• Elgin: According to Illinois Demographics by Cubit, the population in Elgin is over 113,000ftn-1. Elgin gives off a vintage feel with landmarks from the Victorian era. Elgin has cultural offerings such as The Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the Elgin Public Museum.
• Waukegan: According to Illinois Demographics by Cubit, the population in Waukegan is over 87,000ftn-1. Waukegan is a smaller city with an abundance of culture. You can check out Ray Bradbury Park and other sites associated with this celebrated author as well as The Genesee Theatre.

North Chicago suburbs

There are many appealing suburbs in northern Chicago including Evanston, Skokie, Highland Park and Wilmette. The northern suburbs are accessible to downtown Chicago via the Metra and public transit. Each suburb is within 30 miles of the city.

• Evanston is great for homebuyers looking for a laid-back suburban lifestyle close enough to Chicago but away from city life. The Lighthouse Beach Park offers majestic views of Lake Michigan, swimming pools, tennis courts and boating activities. Nature lovers can take a leisure stroll around Lovelace Park.
• Skokie boasts natural settings such as outdoor sculptures and parks. Explore educational exhibits at the Illinois Holocaust Museum or grab your golf clubs and head to Skokie Country Club. There are several quality schools in the area, community events and shopping centers in the area such as the Westfield Old Orchard outdoor shopping mall.
• Highland Park is for homebuyers seeking a small-town environment with a thriving downtown.  Listen to performances at the Ravinia Festival or explore boutiques and art galleries in downtown Highland Park.
• Wilmette is known for its proximity to Lake Michigan. Gillson Park offers a beach, marina and walking trails along the lakefront. Get a glimpse into the history of the village at the Wilmette Historical Museum or visit the Baha’i House of Workship.

Northwest Chicago suburbs

Some of the notable northwest suburbs of Chicago are Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines and Arlington Heights. All four suburbs have Metra trains and bus routes connecting to downtown Chicago via the Pace bus and Metra stations. Each community is approximately 22-40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The Interstate highways and expressways provide additional driving options as well.

• Schaumburg combines the best aspects of big city and small-town life. You can take your kids to LEGOLAND^® Discovery Center, shop at Woodfield Mall or watch knight's joust while enjoying a 4-course meal at Medieval Times.
• Elk Grove Village has a strong industrial and business presence. Elk Grove Village Park District is a family-friendly park with playgrounds, cultural programs, community centers and nature spots like the Busse Woods Forest Preserve.
• Des Plaines provides job opportunities across different industries such as industrial and retail. Des Plaines has several school districts with quality academic programs. Adults can visit Rivers Casino for entertainment or the McDonald’s Museum to learn about the Golden Arches. This was the first ever McDonald’s franchise opened by Ray Kroc in April 1955ftn-1.
• Arlington Heights is a family-friendly suburban community with a charming downtown that features shops, restaurants and theaters. You can visit Lake Arlington and Arlington Alfresco for open-air dining and shopping in downtown Arlington Heights.

South Chicago suburbs

The communities of Matteson, Richton Park, Country Club Hills and Park Forest are quiet southern Chicago suburbs. Each suburb is approximately 25-35 miles south of downtown Chicago. The Metra and CTA transit lines provide reliable transportation for suburban residents.

• Matteson is home to the Lincoln Mall featuring stores, restaurants and entertainment.  Visit the Matteson Community Center swimming pool with your kids or join a fitness class. There are good private and public schools in the area.
• Richton Park offers a suburban lifestyle with amenities and cultural activities. The village has several school districts, local clubs catered to families and Sauk Trail Woods. The forest preserves offer walking trails, picnic areas and spots for birdwatching.
• Country Club Hills offers a welcoming environment for families with good school districts in the area. Country Club Hills has recreational facilities including sports fields, playgrounds and trails such as Country Club Hills Community Center and Meadowview Park.
• Park Forest has a strong sense of community involvement with events including festivals, parades and farmers markets. You can enroll your child into a youth sports league, summer camp or visit the Part Forest Aqua Center.

Southwest Chicago suburbs

Some of the well-known southwest suburbs of Chicago are Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills and Orland Park. Each suburb is approximately 15-38 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. You can commute to downtown Chicago via the CTA bus, CTA trains or Metra.

• Evergreen Park has a tight-knit community feel with small-town vibes and retail stores. It is home to the Little Company of Mary Hospital, a renowned healthcare facility. Evergreen Park provides quality education for students.
• Oak Lawn offers a welcoming vibe for families with festivals, well-maintained parks and great school districts. There are attractions including the Children’s Museum, escape rooms and wineries.
• Palos Hills is a charming suburban town with affordable housing, great schools and community pride. The Palos Hills Golf Cub is a nice place to enjoy a game of golf with lush green fairways and beautiful landscaping.
• Orland Park offers housing options, schools, events and employment opportunities. Orland Square Mall is a popular destination featuring retail stores and restaurants. The suburb has a strong focus on outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

West Chicago suburbs

The communities of Oak Park, Oak Brook, Elmhurst and Naperville are prosperous western suburbs. Ranging from 9-30 miles from downtown Chicago, each of these suburbs offer transportation options including the Metra, expressways, interstates and bus services.

• Oak Park is known for its diversity, both in terms of demographics and culture. Oak Park offers educational options including private and public schools, magnet programs and charter schools. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is in Oak Park and served as Wright’s residence and workplace during his early career. Frank Llyod Wright was an American architect, designer and educator. He designed 1,000 structures over 70 years. It is now a public museum open to the public.
• Oak Brook fosters a close-knit community atmosphere. This suburb has corporate headquarters and business centers offering employment opportunities. Shoppers can visit the Oakbrook Center to shop at high-end stores and nature lovers can explore Morton Arboretum’s outdoor oasis.
• Elmhurst offers a family-friendly environment with concerts in the park, farmers markets and parades. Enjoy outdoor recreation along the Wild Meadows Trace or appreciate colorful gemstones at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art.
• Naperville residents engage in events like the Naperville Riverwalk Fine Art Fair. Indulge in barbeque ribs from pitmasters at the Naperville Ribfest, shop for fresh produce at Naperville Farmers Market or take your kids to the DuPage Children’s Museum.

Pros of living in the Chicago suburbs vs. city of Chicago

Living in the Chicago suburbs offers several advantages compared to the city of Chicago. Here are some of the benefits of suburban living:

• Extra square footage: Suburbs typically offer spacious housing options and larger backyards.
• Lower cost of living: The cost of living is generally lower in the suburbs than in the city. Housing prices and daily expenses may be more affordable in suburban areas.
• Family environment: Suburbs are often seen as better places to raise a family due to their community feel, access to nature and great academic programs.

Additional information for first-time homebuyers

When conducting research, first-time homebuyers should consider the factors most important to them which can include school quality, commute time, neighborhood amenities, community engagement and housing affordability. Consider asking your real estate agent the following questions as a way to get started:

• What are the commute times and transportation options to key destinations such as work, schools and other facilities?
• How do school districts compare? Tell me about the quality of the schools in the area and academic programs.
• What amenities are nearby? Can you tell me more about the walkability of the area, access to parks, nature areas and the availability of community services?
• What is the sense of community like? Is it a neighborly atmosphere with opportunities to participate in community events and connect with neighbors?

Conclusion

Exploring the Chicago suburbs offers a positive and exciting journey filled with spacious housing options, excellent schools, family-friendly amenities and a welcoming community. First-time homebuyers can navigate the homebuying process with greater confidence with the support of a real estate agent and local mortgage lender.