Paganica suits residents to a tee

Norm and Carol Tucker enjoy their home in Paganica in Barrington Hills because it's one story, just the right size for two people, and they can do some gardening.

"In many communities, the association takes care of the plantings," Norm Tucker said. "But here you own the land, so if you like to get dirt under your fingernails, you can. I was born and raised in Iowa, so I'm somewhat of a dirt farmer."

The couple enjoys their large lot that backs up to the creek. They sit out on their deck and take in the views of the countryside.

"We see a lot of wildlife here," Tucker said. "This week, I saw a large buck walking across the back of our yard. We see a lot of fawns, but not bucks. This was a nice one with a nice rack of horns.

"It's been a good neighborhood, and we've enjoyed it. It's been exactly what we needed. We don't need a big family home."

Paganica, which is the Roman name for the game that preceded modern golf, has a relaxing atmosphere, said Carol Doerr, real estate agent with Starck Realtors in Schaumburg.

"Blood pressure drops as you enter the subdivision because you're in a natural atmosphere surrounded by an open parklike area that reflects off the ponds," Doerr said. "Water sites have created a natural bird sanctuary, and there's a wonderful variety of feathered creatures, along with deer and an occasional fox, that roam the area."

Residents enjoy the community's location, which is a short distance to downtown and the commuter station, plus there is easy access to highways. In addition, Paganica is on city sewer and water, which is unusual for Barrington Hills, Doerr said.

Paganica includes duplex residences and estate-sized homes on large home sites.

Each home is a private, individual custom residence designed by Robert Parker Coffin with a two-car garage, private patio and small backyard.

Residences are grouped in sites throughout the community with acres of open common land between each of the clustered sites.

The community is next to the Barrington Hills Country Club just south of Northwest Highway.

For recreation, the Barrington/Countryside Park District operates the Riding Center, softball fields and tennis courts and offers nature walks led by experts who discuss the history and plant life of the nearby Spring Creek Nature Preserve.

The community is about 35 miles northwest of the Loop and 28 miles from O'Hare International Airport. Metra trains from Barrington reach Chicago's Loop in 46 minutes, while drivers have access to the Jane Addams Tollway to get to the Loop, Rockford and Milwaukee.

Price range: $500,000 to $1.3 million

Age of homes: 35 years old

Schools: Countryside Elementary, Barrington Middle Station Campus and Barrington High schools in Barrington Unit District 220

Parks: Barrington/Countryside Park District