Weathersfield's attractions popular
Tucked away, just northwest of the Stearns and Sutton Road intersection in Bartlett is a small neighborhood of which even some of the locals are unaware.
The Weathersfield neighborhood is one of the last subdivisions built in the area by Campanelli Brothers Inc.
Weathersfield is similar to the final subdivision Campanelli built in Schaumburg, with many of the same home models.
Houses range from the three-bedroom, two-bath Charlestown at 1,620 square feet to the four-bedroom, 2½-bath Nantucket at 2,625 square feet.
Four of the floor plans are ranch models, which is one of the neighborhood's main appeals.
"The most appealing feature (for us) was the way the kitchen opened up into the family room," said Re Kielar of RE/MAX Suburban in Wheaton, who is also a Weathersfield resident. "The other important factor about this builder was the quality put into each home."
Kielar said the floor plans are well thought out and comfortable. The spaciousness of the kitchen opening into the family room and the prevalence of ranch styles attract many senior citizens and empty-nesters to the subdivision.
Such was the case for Rochelle and Jerry Prybylski. The couple, who has lived in Bartlett for more than 30 years, moved to Weathersfield in 2003, specifically because they wanted a ranch home.
"We really love it here," Rochelle said. The couple purchased the largest ranch, a Nantucket, which had an extended family room, making it even larger, along with a screened-in porch. "I love the fact that I can walk down to the laundry room, put in a load of wash and then walk right back to the kitchen."
The houses built in Weathersfield by Campanelli were not strict tract houses, but semicustom -- allowing for owners to make modifications, such as relocating pantries and configuring stairways differently, without paying extra.
Exteriors are a combination of brick and cedar. Homes have a basement option and a few residences have three-car garages.
Shopping is minutes away and Charlestowne Mall is a 10-minute drive south to St. Charles.
The Bartlett library and park district facilities are east on Stearns Road.
Access to downtown Chicago is convenient, too. The Bartlett Metra train station is a 10-minute drive north, while the Jane Addams Tollway is north on Sutton Road.
The Prybylskis have stayed because of the friendly community. Jerry was instrumental in restarting the Bartlett VFW Post, while Rochelle is active in the Bartlett Women's Club and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
"To me, this is just like the old neighborhood with lots of connections from the city," Rochelle said.
Weathersfield combines a city and a country atmosphere.
"It's surrounded by beautiful property and you can see that as you drive on Sayer," Kielar said. "For a moment, as you drive up on Sayer, you feel like you are in another part of the country."
Price range: $340,000 to $435,500
Age of homes: 15 years old
Schools: Liberty Elementary, Kenyon Woods Middle and South Elgin High schools in Elgin Area School District U-46
Parks: Bartlett Park District