Neighborhood profile: Lancer Park in Schaumburg

Donna Madeck and her husband honed in on Lancer Park for a few years, waiting for a house to come on the market that they liked and was affordable to them.

Moving up from a starter home in Hoffman Estates, the couple was looking for a "forever" home where they could settle in and not move again. The oldest of their three children was 10 months old when they bought their house in Schaumburg and Lancer Park 29 years ago.

High-quality homes and good schools were big draws for the young couple at that time. "Each school prepared our children well for the next school," Donna Madeck said. "They were in lots of activities, went to college and are doing well.

"We couldn't have found a better place to meet such great people. We have made some lifelong friends and established very rewarding relationships here," she said. "We have the kind of friends you could write a book about. Even after the kids grew up and moved away, we remained very good friends.

Homes here have stood the test of time, Madeck said.

"People are proud of their homes and keep up their properties so well that the subdivision continues to be an attractive area and a desirable place to live."

Situated west of Plum Grove Road and north of Wise Road, Lancer Park features custom, quality built homes with a lot of brick and hardwoods, said Mary Myzia, real estate broker with RE/MAX Suburban in Schaumburg.

"These are some of the most solid-built homes in Schaumburg, and homes are in an affordable price range," Myzia said.

Built over a period of 14 years, the subdivision offers a variety of home styles - brick ranches, many different sized split-levels and two-stories. There is also a wide price range

"This is a community for everybody," Myzia said.

Lancer Park also offers a great location near Route 53 where houses are far enough away that residents don't hear traffic noise, but they can be on the expressway in five minutes. For commuters, the Roselle train station is a short drive away.

Thirty-two years ago when Myzia sold her first home in the neighborhood, she discovered how nice Lancer Park was and several years later she and her husband moved there themselves.

"Multiple family members live here," Myzia said. "At one time, my sister, cousin and I all lived in the neighborhood. It's the kind of place where people don't move out; you won't believe how many estate sales we have had in the past year. Kids grow up, get married and come back to raise their own children in the neighborhood."

Residents of Lancer Park enjoy many amenities in the area - lots of parks, the library, Meineke Recreation Center, the municipal grounds and all the best happenings in Schaumburg. Many things are within walking distance, including Septemberfest.

For recreation, the park district's Olympic Park south of Old Schaumburg Road is a huge park that hosts a lot of organized sports with lighted soccer and softball fields and a skate park.

Other attractions in town include Woodfield Mall with plenty of shopping, restaurants and a movie theater; and the Prairie Center for the Arts, which offers quality theater, music and dance performances. At the Spring Valley Nature Center, visitors can see a working farm with live animals and take in several special events throughout the year.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $225,000 to $460,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> Built from late 1960s through early '80s

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Michael Collins Elementary and Robert Frost Junior High schools in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 and J.B. Conant High School in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.

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