Picturesque Geneva: A gem on the Fox River
With Geneva's picturesque setting along the Fox River, its quaint downtown and bountiful parks and recreation, the city attracts an abundance of both new residents and out-of-town visitors.
Geneva's old-fashioned downtown features neat boutiques, antiques, specialty shops with one-of-a-kind items, coffee houses and restaurants against a backdrop of historic Victorian homes, wooded streets and the Fox River.
Geneva is great for in-town walking, especially with all the festivals coming up, said Lynn Purcell, Realtor and broker with Baird & Warner.
"It's a good way to enjoy the town without spending a lot of money. Take your dog or baby or the whole family," she said.
"We have a lot of new restaurants - Citizen Kane; Bien Trucha, a very good Mexican restaurant. People say they have the best margaritas. All the restaurants are good - Niche, Grahams Chocolate in the summer.
"They even bus people in; it's not just a local thing. I've seen Geneva featured in a lot of magazines," Purcell said.
Geneva's downtown is also a draw for homebuyers.
Homebuyers really like the downtown, because they like the atmosphere with the shops and the river, said Matthew Kombrink, Realtor/broker with RE/MAX Excels.
Residential real estate in Geneva includes everything from vintage homes to brand new subdivisions, Purcell said.
"Although we have a mix of buyers, we're seeing a lot more first-time homebuyers and move-up buyers now because houses in Geneva are more affordable than in '06 and '07. Before, people who wanted a house (here) were forced to buy a small condo, but now they can actually buy a house."
Geneva is still a hot spot for newer development, especially in the western portion along Randall Road where there are many large, single-family homes and high-end estates, such as in Mill Creek, a giant golf course community west of Randall Road.
The nice thing is that Geneva is not overbuilt, and the city tries to keep growth controlled, Kombrink said.
"It still has a small hometown feel," he said. "The river is a big attraction, and people like the bike path and all the parks."
In 1958, the Geneva Park District started with four parks and a few athletic programs. Today it tends 50 parks on 700 acres and offers 3,000 recreational programs. Geneva residents have plenty of ways to enjoy life with free or affordable park district activities close to home.
Sunset Pool makes a splash with residents of all ages with a variety of slides, interplay features, bubblers and spray jets. The pool also includes a sand play area, two sand volleyball courts and concession stand. The pool hosts kids' birthday parties, as does Stone Creek miniature golf in Wheeler Park.
Active senior adults can have fun and meet new friends at the breakfast club that meets monthly at various local restaurants. They can also learn how to knit or crochet, or for more active fun, the park district offers a variety of exercise and dance classes.
The Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center is a state-of-the-art gym with indoor track and fitness center, and Sandholm Woods Park is filled with natural beauty and a stroll-friendly park with gardens and benches.
The spectacular sight of 500 butterflies only takes a visit to Peck Farm Park to see the award-winning butterfly house, always a popular attraction for residents.
Cultural events and activities thrive in Geneva. Along with area theater, musical and dance performances, Geneva's Cultural Arts Commission formed in 2006 promotes the diversity of the arts and sponsors several events each year.
Other shopping includes Geneva Commons and all the retail along Randall Road. "With a 10-minute drive up and down Randall Road, there's everything you need," Purcell said.
"Geneva is a very nice, well-rounded community on the river with great shopping and a good school system. It's a very nice friendly town."