Neighborhood profile: Scarsdale

A mosaic of homes, mature trees and meandering streets give Scarsdale an irresistible character and charm.

Situated southeast of the downtown business district and east of Arlington Heights Road, Scarsdale features a mix of Georgians, Colonials, Tudors and some sprawling ranches on the south end of the neighborhood, with no two homes alike.

A few houses in the subdivision were built in the 1920s, but most were constructed in the 1940s and early '50s. Newer homes exist on lots where older houses once stood but were raised to build custom homes on the land.

Tansy and Tim Lynch, both originally from Arlington Heights, moved from River North in the city to Scarsdale seven years ago.

They bought a house with three bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms and a one-car garage.

"Some people might be put off with the one-car garage, but it brings a real sense of history to the area," Tansy Lynch said. "It's such a historical nugget to this part of town.

"We have a beautiful backyard. The woman who lived here before us planted a perennial garden, and I'm doing my best to develop a green thumb to keep up what she started.

"This is such a beautiful and unusual neighborhood. There's nothing else like it. Every house has a different look, and there's curb appeal everywhere.

"I feel a real sense of community here. Everyone we meet is friendly. This is a family-oriented neighborhood, but you don't need to have kids to feel welcome here."

Scarsdale has the cozy feel of a neighborhood with a real sense of connection, said Mary Schneider, real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Arlington Heights.

"The neighborhood has retained its charm throughout the years. Even when people rehab their homes, they keep its vintage look by keeping the exposed brick and other features. Some have added a garage, put on additions and updated the kitchens and baths," Schneider said.

Scarsdale is a sought-after neighborhood with great schools and parks. It's renowned for its tree-lined streets, lack of sidewalks and elegant street lamps that contribute to the character of the neighborhood.

"Although many homes have a one-car garage, people are willing to pay a premium to for the charm of Scarsdale, good schools and location close to downtown," Schneider said.

In the morning, you see a lot of people walking from the neighborhood to the train and kids walking or riding their bikes to school. Later you see a lot of people out walking their dogs.

Planned activities are another positive aspect of living in Scarsdale. The voluntary homeowners association organizes such activities as an Easter egg hunt and moms' group, while a welcome committee makes new residents feel at home.

Residents can walk to the village's thriving downtown that features an eclectic mix of restaurants and pubs, live theater performances, outdoor concerts and shopping at boutiques, specialty shops and galleries.

Other attractions in the village include Arlington Park racetrack, a beautiful facility that offers fun for the whole family; a strong park district that is a vital part of the community with facilities and activities for all ages; and the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

On the north side, Arlington Lake has the feel of a private lake in Wisconsin. Here you see people enjoying sailing, paddle boating and walking and riding their bikes around the lake.

Commuters like being close to I-90, and with more open lanes now, you can get to O'Hare International Airport in 15 to 20 minutes.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price range: </span>$350,000 to $1.2 million

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> Most 60 to 70 years old

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Dryden Elementary and South Middle schools in Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 and Prospect High School in Northwest Suburban High School District 214

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