Meadowbrook grows with community

Seven years ago, Chris Bane and a friend moved from a condo in Prospect Heights to a new single-family home in Sunrise at Meadowbrook in Lake in the Hills.

"Single-family home prices out here were very good at the time," Bane said. "And there was no way we could afford a home closer in.

"We liked the neighborhood because it wasn't so crowded. The lots were good size, and there was a lot of space between houses. We also liked the newness of it."

Bane enjoys her tri-level home with three bedrooms, two baths and patio. Her favorite room in the house is the kitchen.

"It's big. It's bright. We have big windows and skylights. I love that," Bane said. "We also like having a backyard because we didn't have one in our condo."

When Bane first moved out to Lake in the Hills, she drove to Crystal Lake for shopping, but now she has a wide selection of stores right on Randall Road.

Bane said she also is impressed with village services.

"When we have a problem and call the village about it, they get back to us within a day and resolve it if they can or steer us in the right direction," Bane said. "The services are wonderful."

Located north of Albrecht Road and west of Haligus Road, Sunrise is one of several Meadowbrook neighborhoods built by Pasquinelli and Portrait Homes.

The neighborhood offers moderately priced homes where people get a lot for their money, said Cathy Leonard, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Primus Realty in Algonquin.

Homes come in a variety of styles including traditional two-story designs with separate living and dining rooms, four bedrooms and T-staircase. There are also split-levels, quads and ranches with more open contemporary interiors.

For shopping, residents can go to downtown Huntley or Algonquin and Randall roads.

Anchoring the neighborhood is Sunset Park, one of the village's largest parks, which features several baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, playground equipment, picnic shelters, tennis courts, basketball court, gazebo and a skate park.

Located just west of Sunset, is Bark Park, one of the area's only dog parks.

Lake in the Hills is situated about 47 miles northwest of Chicago's Loop in McHenry County.

Price range: $250,000 to $325,000

Age of homes: 7 to 10 years old

Schools: Chesak Elementary, Martin Elementary, Marlowe Middle and Huntley High schools in Huntley Unit District 158

Parks: Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department and Huntley Park District