Oak Park

Expensive homes, beautiful parks and an excellent school system makes Oak Park one of Chicago’s prime neighborhoods.  It is located west of the city of Chicago in between Austin Boulevard and North Avenue.  While it used to have a population with long-term more conservative residents, it is now opening and growing with the younger, urban, more liberal generation.  It is constantly trying to strike the balance between historical preservation and economic development.  It is the former home of two American literary icons, Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright.  It is also the home of the creator of Tarzan, Edgar Rice Burroughs, founder of McDonald’s Ray Kroc and actress Betty White.  These facts alone draw tourists from all over the globe.  It has a bustling business district with fast food chains, department stores and high-end boutiques and fine dining.  To get to and out of the neighborhood, the Chicago Transit Authority Green and Blue Lines and the Metra UP-West line courses through the Oak Park station.  The suburban bus system Pace also caters to neighborhood residents and visitors.  It is known to be the most bicycle-friendly neighborhoods with a tradition of bicycling dating back from the time the park was created.  It offers a variety of trails for cycling enthusiasts and is home to active cycle clubs and groups.  Other than this, it offers seven recreation centers, 13 parks and 3000 programs and special events throughout the year.

In terms of architecture and design, Oak Park holds 80 buildings in the Prairie style structures by Frank Lloyd Wright, George W. Maher and John Van Bergen.  It also has high-style Victorians and Italianate and Gothic Revival.  It is a joy to live amongst such rich heritage together with the accessibility to everyday needs like day care centers, pre-schools and public and private high schools.