Neighborhood profile: Bloomfield Hills, Bloomingdale

Anita and Anthony Nuzzo had lived in Roselle, moved out of the area, then decided to move back. They found their new home in Bloomfield Hills in Bloomingdale.

That was in 1987, when sales for the subdivision were handled out of a trailer, and there was still open land across the street.

“We were familiar with the area and wanted to get back into the Lake Park High School district,” Anthony Nuzzo said.

Twenty-four years later with their children grown, the couple still enjoys living in the community.

“It's not a real big development, yet it's big enough, and we like the nice, neat home environment,” Nuzzo said. “We like living close to the park; we're just a block away, and we take our walks along the path. Also, we're close to Jameson's (restaurant), and we like that a lot.”

The neighborhood is home to many families like the Nuzzos, said Kathy Maykut, broker and associate with RE/MAX All Pro.

“This is a stable community with little turnover because people tend to stay. There are a lot of original owners who live here,” she said.

The subdivision has mostly two-story homes with four bedrooms, 2½ baths and two-car garage. Most homes have basements; a few are built on slabs.

“Bloomfield Hills is a nice community of well-kept single-family homes with a beautiful fountain entranceway,” Maykut said.

Bloomingdale also has quality schools, which is a big draw for homebuyers, and kids in Bloomfield Hills can walk to the elementary school.

Another attraction to the subdivision is that it's more affordable than Bloomfield Club, another nearby Bloomingdale neighborhood. Bloomfield Club doesn't have a clubhouse or swimming pool, so the association fees are more in line with suburban living where residents take care of their own property.

The subdivision is close to Stratford Square with all its shops and theaters, and next to Springfield Park, a 44-acre park where there are lots of activities. Facilities include a tot lot, basketball court, baseball and soccer fields along with fishing and 20 acres of wetlands.

For other shopping, Old Town Bloomingdale, at the intersection of Lake Street and Bloomingdale Road, is a collection of small businesses and shops located in restored buildings at the original site of the village's first settlement.

With all its retail activity, Bloomingdale boasts having one of the lowest property tax rates in DuPage County.

For recreation, the park district oversees 127 acres of parks, 37 acres of open space and wetlands, the Oasis water park and facilities for fishing, ice skating, sledding, baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. The park district also offers a full schedule of programs and special events for youth, adults and seniors.

Bloomingdale is home to the Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort, a premier golf resort, conference center and banquet facility. The resort offers a day spa, swimming pool and a kids' vacation station with lots of activities.

Area golfers also enjoy the Bloomingdale Golf Club, a public course built in 1924.

Bloomingdale sits 25 miles west of the Loop in a central location with easy access to expressways and trains, and it's not as congested as some other areas. The Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) is immediately east of the village.

Residents board Metra trains in Medina or Roselle for the approximate 40-minute trip to the Loop. Bus service is also available.

Listing sheet

<b>Price range: </b>$350,000 to $450,000

<b>Age of homes: 24 years old

<b>Schools:</b>Erickson Elementary and Westfield Middle schools in Bloomingdale Elementary District 13 and Lake Park High School in Lake Park High School District 108

<b>Parks:</b>Bloomingdale Park District