Candlewick Lake in neighborhood profile

The Candlewick Lake community features resort-style living with amenities galore, lots of activities and the best fishing around.

The gated community northeast of Rockford offers a lake and beach, pool, recreation center, walking trails, parks and a dog park. In the clubhouse, the gym and workout center are sure to keep you feeling fit, and you can grab a bit to eat at the restaurant or schedule the banquet room for special occasions. Also, the Savannah Oaks Bar & Grill and golf course sit within the community.

The amenities are the biggest attraction for Candlewick Lake, said Chuck Romano, real estate broker with Key Realty in Rockford and a Candlewick Lake resident. He's been selling homes in Candlewick for more than 30 years and has lived in the community for more than 35 years.

"My in-laws had a house here, and we started coming out to visit them on the weekends. Before you know it, we bought a lot and built our own house on the lake," Romano said. "This is a great place to live. We raised four children here, two that are living in the community now and raising their own families here. The schools are good, and each school district has a new middle school and high school.

"I've always made an investment in the community by buying lots and building homes to sell. It's cost effective because you get a lot of house for the money, plus all the amenities, which will increase your home's value and secure your investment."

Situated south of Route 173 and west of Route 76, Candlewick Lake features more than 1,800 homes. The community saw its largest growth in the 1990s. Homes come in a variety of styles and sizes and generally offer three to four bedrooms and 1½ to three baths. Residents also are diverse; people of all ages call the community home.

Bonnie Marron is one of many happy campers at Candlewick Lake. She and her husband Bill started out as weekend warriors then later became full-time residents. The former residents of Downers Grove bought their original house in 1999 for weekend getaways because Bill always wanted a house on a lake.

"Before I even knew my husband, he was looking in Indiana and Michigan for a house on a lake. I didn't want to drive that far, so we found a home in Candlewick Lake when we were driving around. And in two weeks, we bought a home from long-distance truck drivers and signed the contract at the Hinsdale Oasis at 5 a.m."

When the couple retired, they wanted a larger home to live in year-round, so they built a log home that Bonnie designed herself. Today, when Bonnie looks out the back door, she says it's like being in Wisconsin with a panoramic view of the lake.

A lot of active residents have always volunteered to help out in the community. "I've been on the (homeowner's association) board for six years and on three different committees," Marron said. "I've been very involved; everyone I know lives in Candlewick.

"We recently had a community picnic and first responders' appreciation day with free boat rides on the lake. A lot of people don't own boats, and to see the community from the lake offers a different perspective. Our busiest weekend is the Fourth of July when we have a parade and fireworks display."

Candlewick Lake offers easy access to I-90 and is 15 minutes from Rockford, which has a lot to offer including the popular Magic Waters Waterpark. And just minutes away, Rock Cut State Park is a year-round recreation destination.

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Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $90,000 to $500,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 40 years old to new

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Caledonia Elementary, Belvidere Central Middle and Belvidere North High schools in Belvidere Unit District 100 or Poplar Grove Elementary, North Boone Middle and North Boone High schools in North Boone Unit District 200.

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Unincorporated