Neighborhood profile: Washington Village, Grayslake
When Denise Meyer and Jeffrey Welker looked to purchase a larger home, they had three priorities in mind: good schools, nearby parks and a nice, well-built house.
That criteria led them to Washington Village in Grayslake.
"I liked the Grayslake schools, which have a great (English as a Second Language) program," Denise Meyer said. "We have three adopted children from another country, and this was a big deal for us. Also, this is a very green community with a lot of parks and bike trails, and that was important to us.
"Then we found a house we loved in Washington Village, and we were sold."
Situated around Washington Street west of Route 45, Washington Village was built by Landmark Homes, a very good, quality builder, said Anna Klarck, broker associate with RE/MAX Showcase.
"You're not going to find the quality construction that you see in these homes; it's the details that make them stand out, such as crown molding, window trim and six-panel doors. Also, the homes have cedar siding rather than vinyl or aluminum," Klarck said.
Klarck, also a resident of Washington Village, likes that the subdivision features both attached and detached homes.
"My mother-in-law lived in an attached home, and we were in a detached home," Klarck said. "She was close to us, but she had her own little world, which she loved."
The College of Lake County is adjacent to the neighborhood. People also like that Washington Village is a small neighborhood with one way in and out. And for those who want a small yard but like the feeling of a single-family home, the smaller interior lots provide that, Klarck said.
Other neighborhood amenities include a nearby strip mall with shops including a dry cleaner, flower shop, and Jimmy John's and Thai food restaurants. "With three boys, it's great for them to walk to get a haircut or pick up some food," Klarck said. "Residents don't need to take a car every place."
"Also, with the subdivision across from College of Lake County where my kids take classes, I never have to worry about taking them to school," Klarck said.
For recreation, residents enjoy two neighborhood parks as well as the town's Family Aquatic Center and large Central Park with playground, baseball diamonds, competition football and soccer fields and walking trails with preserved woodlands.
Grayslake has the most extensive and complete communitywide trail system in the region. Residents have easy access to and from the neighborhoods, schools, downtown business district, parks and other amenities. This communitywide system encourages a healthy lifestyle, boosts property values and reduces the reliance on the automobile.
Another attraction is Grayslake's charming downtown with its antique lighting, historic storefronts and friendly, small businesses, Meyer said, and she appreciates the small-town charm. "I love downtown Grayslake. We go down there to eat a lot," she said. "I love the whole town."
Grayslake is home to the Lake County Fairgrounds, which hosts one of the most popular annual county fairs in the state, as well as other events including concerts, antiques and collectibles shows, computer shows, antique car shows and swap meets. These events draw people from all over the Midwest.
Also, the community sits within 15 minutes of major regional shopping centers, several golf courses, the Chain of Lakes and Lake Michigan marinas, beaches, state parks, hundreds of acres of forest preserves, skiing and snowmobiling, and Six Flags Great America Amusement Park.
Listing sheet
<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $250,000 to $325,000 single-family homes; $170,000 to $200,000 attached homes
<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 14 to 17 years
<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Avon Center Elementary and Grayslake Middle schools in Grayslake Elementary District 46 and Grayslake North High School in Grayslake High School District 127
<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Grayslake Park District