La Grange offers residents the perfect balance of suburban tranquility and urban living.
Residents enjoy their family-friendly village’s tight-knit community, great parks, and top-rated schools. Downtown La Grange makes going into Chicago unnecessary – the village’s great restaurants, shopping, and even the historic LaGrange theater mean residents have plenty at their disposal. The area is rich in history, the downtown was even added to the Register of Historic Places, the area also has the feel of a modern urban area.
The cherry on top is La Grange’s great homes. Historic homes and new construction sit on tree-lined streets in beautiful neighborhoods. Major publications have taken notice – La Grange has been a staple on Chicago Magazine’s list of best neighborhoods and suburbs.
And with two Metra stations and the I-55 and I-294 Highways, getting into Chicago or O’Hare airport is a breeze. The train ride only takes 20 minutes!
La Grange Neighborhood Guide
With a beautiful downtown, great parks and recreation, and tons of local attractions – La Grange has plenty to offer. So, while Chicago’s attractions are just a short trip away, more often than not, residents are more than happy to spend their time close to home!
Local Eats
La Grange residents enjoy a diverse and exciting food scene. From great brunch spots to foodie havens, you can find it in the village. Local favorites include Blueberry Hill Breakfast Cafe, a delicious breakfast spot in downtown La Grange. The neighborhood dive is the Hot Dog Company, with classic hand-cut fries. The area even has a Michelin-Starred restaurant, El Ideas. Going to El Ideas is an unforgettable experience, complete with innovative cooking in a unique space (the basement of chef Phillip Foss’s home!).
Community
One of the best things about living in La Grange is the village’s close-knit community. Residents can get to know their neighbors at a number of community events all year long. From great holiday celebrations like a 4th of July Fireworks show and Halloween Trick or Treating, or cultural events like the Endless Summerfest and West End Art festival, there are tons of options. To top it all off, most blocks will throw annual block parties!
Shop/Downtown
Downtown La Grange is the heart of the village. The beautiful area features many of the area’s restaurants, great local boutiques, and great attractions. With grocery stores and big-box stores in the area, downtown La Grange offers some great stores. Local favorites include the La Grange Hobby Center, Chimera’s Comics, and The La Grange Theater, built-in 1925, which is a great attraction for the whole family. The historic structure shows popular second-run movies at affordable prices.
Parks and Recreation
La Grange residents enjoy one of the state’s best recreation systems. The La Grange Park District offers 11 parks including over 67 acres of parkland. The 1500 programs offered include youth and adult sports, arts programming, and summer day camps. The community recreation center features workout equipment, classes, an open gym, walking track and, even an indoor playground!
The area also has an extensive forest preserve system with hundreds of miles of hiking and bike trails. And just two miles from La Grange is the Brookfield Zoo, one of Chicagoland’s most popular attractions. The 216-acre zoo is perfect for the whole family, with over 2,000 animals and fun, interactive exhibits.
La Grange History
Founding and Early Years
From its inception as a village in the late 1800s, La Grange was conceived as an alternative to the bustling city of Chicago. The village was made possible by the expanding rail system built around the city, making further out settlements possible. La Grange was founded in 1870 by developer Franklin Dwight Cossitt, who purchased 600-acres of undeveloped prairie near the recently completed Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line. The name La Grange was taken from Revolutionary War Hero Marquis de Lafayette’s French home.
Cossitt had a vision of a suburban utopia, making a sharp contrast from the Chicago of the day, just ravaged by the Chicago Fire of 1871. The area was transformed by the planting of hundreds of trees, building large single-family homes, and laying out a relaxed street plan. The village, incorporated in 1879, was a success. The population was nearly 4,000 by 1900.
Growth and La Grange Today
La Grange continued to grow and develop throughout the 20th century. It slowly annexed the surrounding farmland to support a growing population, which reached a peak of nearly 18,000 in 1970. After World War II, the area even became a major manufacturing hub as both General Motors Corporation and Aluminum Company of America moved into the area. The village received national recognition when its historic district was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Today, the area remains a highly livable, exciting suburban village.
La Grange Homes
The Village of La Grange offers residents great housing. Being an affluent suburban area, the majority of residents live in single-family homes, though one can also find condos, apartments, and townhomes. Single-family homes are offered in a variety of architectural styles including Victorian, Queen Anne, and Prairie School. In addition to the village’s large stock of well-preserved historical homes, La Grange has also seen significant new construction in recent years.
Single-Family Homes in La Grange range in price from around $350,000, for a one-story 3 bedroom home, to around $1 million, for a large estate. Condos and townhomes can be found for $300-500 thousand.
La Grange is a great suburban village to set down roots. Come take a look!
