Neighborhood profile: Haverford in Schaumburg

George and Karen Johnson once lived in a big house on a half-acre lot in Bloomingdale, where they hired someone to cut the grass and trim the bushes.

Then, 19 years ago as they were driving around, they discovered the Haverford subdivision in Schaumburg, where townhouses had basements and all yard and exterior maintenance was included in a monthly assessment fee. This was very attractive to the couple who wanted to downsize and do minimal upkeep of their home.

"We liked the community layout where the townhouses look like individual homes, and we're not looking into the neighbors' windows," George Johnson said.

The couple also enjoys the community's amenities.

"We back up to a park with a jogging trail and a nice pond. As you drive into the subdivision, you see the pond and homes around it," Johnson said. "It's very pretty. We love it here.

"I also like being able to walk at Woodfield (Mall) with a group of walkers, which is about a half mile away.

The Johnsons have been involved in the community association over the years.

"It's a nice, friendly place to live," George said. "I was president of the association for 10 years and on the board for 16 years."

Built by developer Kimball Hill from 1989 to 1992, the community is a unique and elegant subdivision featuring four distinct communities of townhouses and single-family homes.

Haverford is one of Schaumburg's best-kept secrets, hidden in the subdivision south of Higgins and west of Martingale roads on the far east side of town, said Richard Gerber, broker with RE/MAX Suburban in Schaumburg.

"The main attraction is its location close to expressways and Woodfield with its entrance skirting modern corporate offices," Gerber said. "It's literally two minutes from I-355 and Woodfield, yet in a secluded area that feels remote from the area's activity."

The community is designed around a central pond, and the homes are spaced apart and angled to provide a pleasant view.

"The architecture and open contemporary floor plans appeal to every age group and lifestyle - from first-time homebuyers to those downsizing," Gerber said. "Buyers love the quality and style of the homes."

Separate homeowner associations fund exterior maintenance, grounds keeping and snow removal for the townhouses and one of the single-family home communities.

Haverford comprises these four communities:

• The Country Homes - Two-story townhouses priced from $186,000 to $220,000 with 1,200 to 1,550 square feet of space. They feature private entrances, two or three bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, lofts; large, airy living areas and one-car garages.

• The Colony - One- and two-story townhouses priced from $215,000 to $319,000 with 1,550 to 2,216 square feet, two or three bedrooms, library or den, two-car garages and optional basement with maintenance-free grounds.

• The Village - One- and two-story single-family homes priced from $314,000 to $368,000. Houses are 1,828 to 1,891 square feet and offer two and three bedrooms with open foyers, luxury bedroom and bath suites, vaulted ceilings, two-car garages and maintenance-free grounds.

• The Country Estates - These single-family homes sit around a cul-de-sac separate from the main Haverford community. Priced from $480,000 to $505,000 with 2,265 to 2,534 square feet, these one- and two-story traditional houses often feature a two-story foyer, den or library, larger country kitchen, three or four bedrooms and two-car garages. A homeowners association does not exist or provide services for these homeowners.

"In Haverford, the street and sidewalks form a comfortable loop within the subdivision, and you always see people out walking," Gerber said. Its walking path connects Haverford to Schaumburg Park District's Connelly Park, where there are tennis courts, soccer fields and a playground.

For the more adventurous, Busse Woods Forest Preserve is nearby just on the other side of I-355.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $186,000 to $505,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 22 to 25 years

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Adolph Link Elementary and Margaret Mead Junior High schools in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 and James B. Conant High School in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.

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