Cherokee Park enjoys wide appeal

Price range: $235,000 to $280,000

Age of homes: 50 years old

Schools: Fullerton Elementary and Indian Trail Junior High schools in Addison Elementary District 4 and Addison Trail High School in DuPage High School District 88

Parks: Addison Park District

In Addison's Cherokee Park community, smaller, well-kept homes line the streets of this older part of town where many long-term residents still live.

The area is ideal for young couples starting out and retirees looking to downsize to a smaller ranch home, said Elizabeth Bos, real estate agent with Century 21 1st Class in Schaumburg.

It also offers a location just off Lake Street with access to expressways and near the park district, which is a big draw for people, Bos said.

Sandwiched between Addison Road and Villa Avenue south of Lake Street and north of Fullerton Avenue, the neighborhood features ranch and split-level homes with three or four bedrooms and one or two baths. Many have basements and an attached or detached garage.

Homes are on bigger lots, which makes it a little more private, said Fermin Perez, real estate agent with Century 21 Lullo in Addison.

"There's about 25-30 feet between houses with some pretty deep lots, and some homes are even on double lots. The streets are also wider. And it's in a great community; Addison is a great place to live."

Many homes have been remodeled and updated with new kitchens and baths, new roofs, soffits and windows, Bos said.

"I just sold two homes in there, and they were both remodeled and ready for the new owners to move in," she said.

With Addison houses ranging from smaller, affordable homes to more expensive luxury residences, many third- and fourth-generation residents are able to live in the community.

The Addison Park District provides all kinds of outdoor activities. The neighborhood's Cherokee Park offers 5 acres with a playground, baseball fields, tennis courts and walking paths.

The Aquatic Center features an Olympic-size pool, a play pool for toddlers and a water slide.

The park district also operates Links and Tees, a nine-hole golf course with bunkered practice greens, a 64-tee driving range, miniature golf and a clubhouse.

Golfers can enjoy at least a dozen other area courses, including Addison Golf Club, Oak Meadows and Maple Meadows country clubs, Bloomingdale Golf Club, Indian Lakes Country Club, Glendale Lakes Country Club and Eaglewood Resort & Spa.

Addison residents have access to Route 20, which slices through the village and intersects with Route 83 near its eastern edge, while I-290, I-355 and Route 53 are nearby.

Addison is 21 miles from Chicago's Loop, 11 miles from O'Hare International Airport and 22 miles from Midway Airport.