Chicago North Shore Real Estate and Neighborhoods: A Glimpse of Highland Park

Highland Park is a lakefront community on the North Shore approximately twenty-three miles north of Chicago’s Loop. There are many natural amenities, including ravines, wildflowers, mature trees, public flower gardens, and Lake Michigan. There is a full spectrum of vibrant business districts, educational, and recreational amenities with a restored beach, boat launch and dog park. We moved to HP in 1990 with two children. We chose Highland Park for the neighborhood schools, the small high school, park district facilities, its accessibility to Rt. 41 and the Tri-State Tollway and, especially, the downtown. There is a vibrant downtown with a number of independent specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants, and a public plaza with community sponsored events. Highland Park is one of the few North Shore community with three commuter train stations, and four golf courses.

Highland Park has several separate and distinct neighborhood and commercial/business districts each with their own ambience and housing styles. The Ravinia Festival welcomes the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and many international recording artists. We have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, many events there: Tony Bennet and Lady Gaga, Glenn Campbell were fantastic, and Buddy Guy always! Our grown children and their friends have seen some new and retro rockers (Doobie Bros). Hmm. Red, white, or a good IPA? That’s a tough one! The Chicago Botanic Garden is on the southern border, in neighboring Glencoe. It is a haven for nature lovers, gardeners and anyone who wants to get away for a few hours. Just walk around, smell the flowers, feel the breeze, see the different gardens and relax.

Our family has been active participants in HP for over twenty years. Both of our children participated in athletics and the music program. Eve was a Girl Scout leader and past president of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. I was an AYSO soccer coach, a Park District baseball coach, and a five year assistant football coach at HPHS and was a founding and current member of the HPHS Athletic Hall of Fame. It’s hard to believe we are going on ten years now.

Highland Park real estate has a distinct architectural and historic character. The choices range from starter homes, (1960’s, 1970’s split levels, 1920’s bungalows and turn-of-the-century 1.5 story and two-story, and contemporary, and custom lakefront mansions. Mid-century modern ranches can still found at moderate price points. Many historic homes by noted architects are such as: Edward Dart, John S. Van Bergen, William Seyfarth, Keck and Keck, Ernest Grunsfeld III, and Frank Lloyd Wright are being preserved. Highland Park also created the first community land trust in Illinois to develop and preserve high-quality affordable housing for residents. A number of condominium developments offer maintenance-free living within walking distance of downtown and commuter train stations.

Highland Park is a wonderful community.

Let me take you on a tour of Highland Park to find your dream home! For over 33 years, we have been the Realtor of choice from Chicagoland to Dairyland!

Ciao Ciao!

Mike