Residents putting down roots in Cambridge
A mosaic of people, friendly neighbors and wooded lots make Cambridge a place where people want to stay.
The subdivision sits on property that was once a nursery, and Jinx and James Horstman live in an old farmhouse built in 1924 that was the home of the nursery owners.
"We love the neighborhood so much, we stayed here for 30 years, and several neighbors have become my best friends," said Jinx Horstman, who is not only a resident but a real estate agent with Prudential Properties Northwest in Arlington Heights.
"I find it amazing that so many original owners have stayed here. And in nice weather, people are outside talking all the time. That says a lot for the neighborhood," Horstman said.
"When I talk to our neighbors, they all mention they like the 40-year-old landscaping and mature trees that attracted them to the subdivision. And many are amazed at the value of their large homes on wooded lots."
Situated in Cook County south of Dundee Road and west of Schoenbeck Road, Cambridge features a variety of homes -- splits, raised ranches and colonials. Almost all the homes have a two-car garage, and most have basements. There are a lot of cul de sacs, and the back yards are private. The neighborhood is very well-kept and has good curb appeal.
Homes all had carpeting when they were built because that was all the rage; then later when people pulled up the carpeting, they found they had beautiful hardwood floors just when hardwood floors were in, Horstman said.
"Cambridge is a lovely neighborhood with lots of wonderful nice people, and we all get along well," Horstman said. "People are generous and would do anything for one another."
Also long-term residents, Debbie and Mike Lorsch have lived in Cambridge for 26 years, and their two-story home with four bedrooms, 2½ baths and family room is representative of homes in the subdivision.
"We liked the floor pattern with the family room off the kitchen, which is something we really wanted so I could let the kids crawl around," Debbie Lorsch said. "The full basement was nice when the kids got older and they could play down there with their friends. Also, all the trees on the property and mature landscaping appealed to us.
"Our kids grew up here; it's the only house they ever knew. It was nice they could walk to the elementary school with all the kids. With all the cul de sacs, there's not a lot of traffic.
"People are friendly and down to earth, and we have a block party three or four times a year," Lorsch said. "We have our annual dinner coming up at a restaurant with about 18 families. And we celebrate all the holidays. It's a ritual."
Cambridge's ideal location puts residents close to grocery shopping, the Wheeling train station, Indian Trails Library and the well-known restaurants on Milwaukee Avenue.
Convenient shopping includes Hawthorn Center in Vernon Hills, Northbrook Court, Woodfield Shopping Center in Schaumburg and several strip malls in Buffalo Grove and surrounding communities.
For recreation, the Buffalo Grove Park District offers a variety of classes and programs for children and adults including pre-school and senior programs. The state-of-the-art fitness center is especially popular with Cambridge residents.
Buffalo Grove is located in both Lake and Cook counties. Cambridge residents are about 26 miles northwest of the Loop. O'Hare is 20 minutes away while Midway is an hour's drive. From Wheeling, commuters reach the Loop via Metra in about 45 minutes.
Price range: $325,000 to $450,000
Age of homes: 40 years old
Schools: Tarkington Elementary and London Middle schools in Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 and Wheeling High School in Northwest Suburban High School District 214
Parks: Buffalo Grove Park District
Jinx Horstman
Prudential Properties Northwest, Arlington Heights
Call: (847) 398-4600
E-mail: jinx.horstman@prudenthomes.com
How long in the business: 15 years
Why I like what I do: "I love spending time with my clients when showing them houses or listing their homes. It's also an opportunity to see a lot of homes and the way people have furnished and decorated them."