Generations come together at Pebble Creek
For Grace and John Moriarty, living in the Pebble Creek subdivision in Palatine is a family affair.
"My wife grew up in the neighborhood; my mother-in-law lives five doors down on the other side of the street; and my wife's brother and sister-in-law live across the street," John Moriarty said.
Grace and John Moriarty purchased a home in the subdivision five years ago when they specifically wanted a ranch home and were looking to build an addition on their home in the adjacent subdivision.
"When this home came on the market, we thought it would be easier to move than to get involved with construction," Moriarty said.
Along with Grace and John Moriarty, there are several two-generation families in the neighborhood as adults move back to the neighborhood where they grew up.
Pebble Creek is a small community of 86 well-kept homes comprised of two stories with four to five bedrooms and ranch designs with three bedrooms. Many homeowners are people who have upgraded from smaller Palatine homes.
Chris Gardner, real estate agent with Prudential Properties Northwest in Arlington Heights, also lives in the subdivision with her husband Jeff.
"When we first looked at the subdivision, we got a warm, friendly feeling, and we liked the traditional look," Gardner said. "When you drive through the subdivision, you don't feel like you're surrounded by commercial and retail. There's a lot of wonderful landscaping and mature trees.
"There's a lot of updating going on in the neighborhood with exterior maintenance and interior stuff like kitchens and baths so that homes have stayed current with modern trends, and homes remain pleasing to look at."
A bridge covers the creek that runs through the neighborhood, and the streets that back up to the creek demand a little more in price than other homes. The village re-did the bridge about two years ago.
Every spring we have a creek cleanup with huge dumpsters out, and everyone gets together for that, Gardner said.
Pebble Creek has an active homeowner's association with many social events including progressive dinners, bridge club and participation in the neediest families' fund. On Christmas Eve every homeowner lines their sidewalk with luminarias.
Grace and John Moriarty get together with their neighbors quite a bit and participate in several homeowner's association activities throughout the year.
"I have a lot of friends in the neighborhood, and our neighbors are great. Anytime you need a hand with something, there's always someone around to help."
Situated east of Hicks, south of Carpenter and north of the Palatine Mall and Baldwin, the subdivision is near the library, recreation department and grocery stores. These conveniences also add to the desirability of the neighborhood, Gardner said.
For recreation, the Palatine Park District maintains the 18-hole championship Palatine Hills Golf Course with pro shop, clubhouse, and driving range.
Residents can enjoy the family Aquatic Center with two 180-foot slides and two tot water slides. And the 15-mile Palatine Trail winds through neighborhood parks, the Palatine Hills Golf Course, Deer Grove Forest Preserve, and Harper College.
In a central location next to the Village Hall, Cutting Hall hosts a variety of theatrical performances that are of general interest to the public.
The Village of Palatine hosts an annual Street Fest, an urban block party with a hometown feel, with activities for all ages, food and main stage entertainment.
Palatine sits about 28 miles northwest of the Loop. Route 53 borders Palatine on the east, connecting with I-90 and I-355. The Loop is an hour drive while O'Hare Airport is 20 minutes away. Commuters can board a train in downtown Palatine or at Arlington Park for the trip to the Loop.
Price range: $440,000 to $525,000
Age of homes: 29 years old
Schools: Virginia Lake Elementary and Sundling Junior High schools in Palatine Township Elementary District 15 and Palatine High School in Palatine-Schaumburg Township High School District 211
Parks: Palatine Park District