What $400,000 Gets You In 10 of Chicago's Near West Suburbs
Are you thinking of buying a home in the near west suburbs of Chicago? From a Dutch Colonial in La Grange Park to a brick English Tudor in Riverside, here's what $400,000 gets you in 10 popular Chicago suburbs. Be sure to sign up for a free property search account so you can receive instant notifications when properties that fit your criteria hit the market! The good ones are selling lightning fast!
Oak Park - Located just west of the city of Chicago and straddling the I-290 expressway, Oak Park is a great option for singles, couples & families alike. There is a vibrant downtown area with many shops & dining choices, as well as a movie theatre. Both the CTA Green Line & Blue Line have stops in Oak Park, as does Metra, so commuting to the city is a breeze. While the average sales price for single family homes in Oak Park is about $450,000, you can still find many move-in ready homes for sale in Oak Park for less than $400,000. See them all here.
River Forest - River Forest sits at the northwest edge of Oak Park and is also connected to public transportation. This could be considered a more sophisticated suburb, with the average selling price close to $700,000. Stately homes sit amongst more modest ones, and there's a fair bit of new construction happening around town. There is a Metra station as well as bus access to the CTA. Here are the homes for sale in River Forest for less than $400,000 (they do come on the market from time to time!)
Forest Park - Popular amongst young professionals, couples & families, Forest Park sits just west of Oak Park and is also connected to the CTA Blue & Green Lines. The Madison Street corridor running between Harlem Ave thru west of Des Plaines features a huge mix of bars & restaurants, ranging from casual to fine dining. Homes are generally more affordable here than they are in some neighboring towns, which adds to the appeal of the area. Average sales price for single family homes is only $250,000. See all of the available Forest Park homes here.
Riverside - The Hidden Gem of the near west suburbs, Riverside is one of the country's first planned communities, with winding roads, large lots, numerous parks, and a central downtown area with Metra access via the BNSF line. The housing stock here is varied, and the average price is about $375,000. Here's what $400,000 will buy you in Riverside.
Brookfield - Famous for its zoo, Brookfield is another town at the affordable end of the spectrum. 3 Metra stops along the BNSF line make it a great choice for city commuters looking for a bit more bang for their buck. Average sales price for single family homes is $230,000. See all of the homes for sale in Brookfield here.
Elmwood Park - Located north of River Forest, Elmwood Park is a convenient town with a rich housing stock ranging from Chicago-style Bungalows & Cape Cods to 3-flats and stately modern homes. It is connected to the Metra via the Milwaukee District/West line and has a few commercial & dining clusters including North Ave which feature a wide range of cuisines ranging from Italian beef and burgers to an Argentinian steakhouse. Average sales price for single family homes is $240,000. Here's what $400,000 will buy you in Elmwood Park.
La Grange / La Grange Park - Southwest of Brookfield, the La Grange area is quaint and desirable. There are a wide range of housing options, and the downtown area offers numerous dining and entertainment options. These towns are also Metra-connected along the BNSF line, which definitely adds to its appeal. Average sales price for La Grange is $540,000 and La Grange Park is $375,000. Here are all of the available homes for sale under $400,000 in La Grange & La Grange Park.
Western Springs - West of La Grange, Western Springs is a booming suburb with lots of home renovations and new construction going on, bringing the average sales price up to over $700,000. You guessed it, Metra also runs through this town! Check out the homes for sale for less than $400,000 in Western Springs here.
Hinsdale - The priciest of the suburbs featured in this article, Hinsdale is an affluent suburb located next to Oak Brook and is known for its highly rated schools and its charming downtown shopping & dining district and Metra station. While the average sales price is $1.1M, there are some more affordable options available -- see them here.
Clarendon Hills - Just west of Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills is an older suburb that is undergoing quite a lot of redevelopment, pushing the average sales price up to $700,000. Hilly, curvy roads make this a serene and beautiful neighborhood, and the city is just a quick train ride away via Metra (that's the theme of the day, isn't it?) Here's what $400,000 will buy you in Clarendon Hills.
So there you have it, folks. As you can see, your money will go further in certain towns than in others. It's all about location and where you feel most comfortable, so get out there and explore these communities to help you determine the right fit. When the time is right to start your house hunt, I'm just a click, call or text away. Hope to be working with you soon!
Laurie Christofano, Realtor with The Pych Team @ RE/MAX In The Village
www.OPRFhomesforsale.com │630-248-1976
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