Weathersfield West in focus of neighborhood profile

When Leslie and Paul Matson were at a cousin's birthday party in Schaumburg, they noticed a house down the street for sale. Curious, and in the market for a new home, they went over to look around.

"We said, 'Wow, this is it,' " Leslie Matson recalls. "It was perfect. After we bought the house and before we moved in, I would go over there and say, 'Is this really going to be ours?' "

That was 22 years ago when the couple moved from their starter home in Jefferson Park to their new ranch home in the Weathersfield West subdivision in Schaumburg.

"We love it here," Matson said. "I grew up in a small house with boxy rooms. This is a ranch that's nice and spacious for two people and a dog and with a nice dining room and kitchen/family room combination.

"We've always had good neighbors here, and people look out for each other," Matson said. "When I wanted to show friends our new house (22 years ago) after our bowling banquet, we all piled in the car and came out here. The neighbor across the street noticed and asked why we were looking at the house. It was good to see they were concerned about their neighbor's property."

Weathersfield West is an unusual area because it features many large California ranches with a lot of floor space, large rooms and good-size yards, said Mike Machlet, real estate broker with RE/MAX Destiny.

"Residences are semi-custom tract homes with brick and cedar exteriors and are very well constructed by Alfred Campanelli," Machlet said.

Homes typically feature three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage. Some homes feature partial or full basements, but a lot of homes in the subdivision do not have basements.

The subdivision has many mature trees and is well kept, and many residents have remodeled and updated their homes. The Matsons have done extensive remodeling that includes a new roof and beautiful handmade cabinetry.

"Weathersfield West's sister neighborhood near Woodfield (Mall) is Lexington Field South, which is comprised of the same houses, but they cost more because they're near Woodfield. These homes offer good value for the money and are still close to the Woodfield corridor," Machlet said.

He said Weathersfield West also offers a convenient location near Schaumburg and Barrington roads, with good schools and great park district that is known for its many neighborhood parks.

Matson agrees.

"Everything we need is in our backyard - Jewel, Home Depot, banks, restaurants, fitness. Everything is right here. You can walk; you don't even need a car. It's perfect."

Neighborhood parks include tot lots, tennis courts and a skate park.

Other nearby attractions include Schaumburg's Prairie Center for the Arts, which offers quality theater, music and dance performances, and Spring Valley Nature Center, where visitors can see a working farm with live animals. Schaumburg also features a variety of outdoor concerts throughout the summer.

The new Boomers minor league baseball team offers a great activity for the whole family with affordable tickets and easy access.

Schaumburg has done a lot to beautify the village with greenscaping and other improvements that make the village an attractive community with a pleasing ambience.

Village residents are close to the train and the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $250,000 to $500,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 28 to 30 years old

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Campanelli Elementary and Jane Addams Junior High schools in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 and Hoffman Estates High School in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Schaumburg Park District