oak park

Oak Park is a thriving, diverse, and charming village located immediately west of the City of Chicago.  Bounded by Harlem Avenue, Roosevelt Road, Austin Boulevard, and North Avenue, Oak Park is an absolute cinch for commuters, with an array of blue and green el line stations, a Metra stop on the line that runs between Chicago and the western suburbs, and easy access from the Eisenhower Expressway.  The village is also legendary for bicycling.  The locals are said to be much more bicycle-friendly on average, and the village sits along the path of both the Grand Illinois Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path (both of which are famously long and scenic and bicycle routes).  There’s also ample CTA bus coverage, and an i-go car sharing option. 

The village contains 13 parks, a conservatory, two outdoor pools, a gymnastics center, and an ice rink.  There are hundreds of shops and restaurants – everything from big box retailers, supermarkets, and national franchise restaurants to boutiques, gourmet specialty stores, and homey restaurants.  The school system is excellent.  So what’s not to like? 

Oak Park was the home of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and an ample collection of Wright’s prairie-style single-family homes remains in the neighborhood, surrounded by endless streets replete with beautiful residences and front yards -- certainly nothing like you’ll find in the heart of Chicago.  There are also hundreds and hundreds of multifamily apartment buildings; and the demographics continue to change, as the general population gets younger with each passing census. 

By the way, trivia buffs will know that Ernest Hemingway was born and raised in Oak Park.  Ray Kroc lived here too.