Wheaton Ridge in neighborhood profile
Nine years ago, Steve and Pam Thonn moved from historic downtown Wheaton to the Wheaton Ridge subdivision where they loved the "neighborhood feel."
"When we walked around the neighborhood before we bought a house, we really fell in love with what it felt like in Wheaton Ridge. We also liked that it was a newer development with a lot of people our age," Pam Thonn said.
Then, when Thonn walked into the house, she immediately loved the view of nearby Klein Creek Golf Club.
"From the foyer, I could see the golf course and forest area through the back windows. It was beautiful. The family room has a vaulted ceiling with two stories of windows, and the view couldn't be beat," she said.
"Also, this is such a friendly place to live," Thonn said. "People are literally out walking their dogs, and even in the winter our dogs Lola and Remi meet up with other dogs. In the spring and summer, people are out walking their dogs constantly, and they stop and chat and ask where you live. Then you know what cul-de-sac they're in, and you wave when you see them."
The neighborhood is situated south of the golf club, east of Pleasant Hill Road and north of Geneva Road in unincorporated Milton Township. Wheaton Ridge has Lake Michigan water and city sewer service.
Homes in the subdivision were built by three quality builders, and the variety of architectural styles creates interest and contributes to the curb appeal of the subdivision. The mostly traditional homes sit on good-sized lots and offer a variety of floor plans with large kitchens and family rooms. One design offers a first-floor master and great room, and another, a two-story family room, said Joann Coghill, investor-owner of Keller Williams Premiere Properties.
The subdivision features attractive homes with mature trees and well-tended properties, and a few homes back to the Klein Creek Golf Course. Many people are updating their homes, putting on roofs and renovating their kitchens and baths.
"There is very low turnover in the subdivision, and people who have raised their kids there continue to stay; they only move if they're transferred or if they choose to downsize," Coghill said.
With the desirability of an area dependent on the quality of its schools, residents of Wheaton Ridge enjoy the highly rated schools in Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200, which are a big draw to the subdivision. Here, buyers can still get reasonably priced homes and reside in a great school district.
For recreation, a great aspect of the Carol Stream Park District is its new recreation center. Also, people in Wheaton Ridge pay resident rates for Wheaton Park District programs when an activity is held at one of the Wheaton schools because they pay school taxes, Coghill said.
Wheaton is home to the Chicago Golf Club, the oldest 18-hole course in the country. The area includes the Prairie Path, the Great Western Trail and the Wheaton Sports Center. Nearby Cosley Zoo is a popular attraction for kids.
People love the town's historic neighborhoods and charming downtown with cobblestone streets, historic architecture, shopping and restaurants. Also, the subdivision offers easy access to shopping in Winfield and neighboring downtowns, with major shopping at Stratford Square in Bloomingdale.
Commuters are eight minutes to the Winfield or downtown Wheaton train stations.
Listing sheet
<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $450,000 to $550,000
<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 28 years
<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Pleasant Hill Elementary, Monroe Middle and Wheaton North High schools in Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200
<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Carol Stream Park District and limited Wheaton Park District