Neighborhood spotlight focuses on Banbury Ridge

When Michelle and John Ven Huizen chose to live in Banbury Ridge 11 years ago, an array of amenities attracted them to the small subdivision in North Aurora.

“We liked the mixture of new and old, the park and the (Fox) river, the proximity to I-88. It was a variety of things,” Michelle Ven Huizen said. “We can easily get to the biking and walking paths by the river. We’re close to the library. It’s a neat area.”

“We had our home built by Krughoff (Homebuilders), so it’s exactly what we want. We have a nice tree-lined backyard with a patio and garden. And we all go out there on a nice night and look at the trees.”

The couple also says the family-friendly neighborhood with nice neighbors and lots of kids add to their enjoyment of living in the subdivision.

Situated east of Banbury Road and north of Route 56, Banbury Ridge sits in the middle of other nice subdivisions.

“It’s a hidden little pocket of about 40 nice, semi-custom homes,” said Carrie Sebold, broker associate with Baird & Warner. Faganel Builders, Krughoff and other quality builders constructed homes in the subdivision; thus, there’s a mix of home styles with each one unique to the individual homeowner.

“People like that homes are new enough to feature current styles and layouts with popular amenities, such as open floor plans and first-floor dens,” Sebold said. “With a den on the main level, buyers don’t need to use an upstairs bedroom for that extra room.”

Generally, homes in Banbury Ridge feature four bedrooms, 2½ to 3½ baths, two- or three-car garage and sit on quarter-acre lots. Homes are larger than some of the surrounding homes, and lots are large with many backing up to open space.

“This is a good family area where kids can ride their bikes and families feel comfortable with that,” Sebold said.

“There’s an awesome park (Wingfoot) that was updated a few years ago within walking distance that people like,” Sebold said. Ven Huizen is among those who enjoy the park. “We love to go there; there are a lot of neat new things to do,” she said.

The park district offers many options for recreation, a variety of sports and many other classes and activities. “The Fox Valley Park District is fantastic,” Ven Huizen said.

The park district also operates the Red Oak Nature Center, which offers a variety of hands-on learning opportunities, classes and lectures. Bird watchers and nature observers enjoy the center’s natural inhabitants

Also, the village sits on the banks of the Fox River, which offers scenic views, several parks and bike trails that connect with regional trails, so people can cycle to DuPage and Lake counties.

Marmion Academy, a high school for boys run by the Benedictine monks, and a lot of private schools with good reputations also draw buyers to the area, Sebold said.

Shopping abounds in the area with the outlet mall, and downtown is quaint with a hometown feel. North Aurora also hosts the 10-dealer Auto Mall near I-88 and Orchard Road.

Listing sheet

Price range: $250,000 to $350,000

Age of homes: 8-13 years old

Schools: Schneider Elementary, Herget Middle and West Aurora High schools in West Aurora School District 129

Parks: Fox Valley Park District