Suburban city with a convenient location to Chicago
Crest Hill is a city in Will County, known for being just around 40 miles southeast of Chicago and just slightly east of the Des Moines River. Locals here enjoy a suburban lifestyle with easy access to major highways, making it a convenient spot for those who commute to busier areas. “Residents enjoy a small city with a small-town feel. A lot of people have been here multiple generations, and first-time home buyers enjoy competitive price points with lower taxes than areas in Cook County,” says Bryan Kasprisin, a Realtor with RE/MAX Professionals Select who has sold over 15 homes in the area. Crest Hill is home to many eateries and shopping centers that often line Plainfield Road, which cuts diagonally through the city, making shopping commutes easy and short. Those who want to enjoy some fresh air can head to one of the many parks in the area, where they can enjoy activities from hiking through prairie land to snowshoeing in the winter months, as snow is common here. Crest Hill has everything from nearby shopping destinations, a fall-favorite farm and plenty of eateries, all with a convenient location to major roads, making nearby destinations easily accessible.
Welcome to Crest Hill.
Cotton Wood Farm offers many local treats in Crest Hill.
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Subdivisions and suburban living
Much of the housing in Crest Hill is situated in various subdivisions, giving residents ample yard space. Ranch-style and split-level properties are very common here, but some more contemporary two-story houses are found in subdivisions like Carillon Lakes, a 55+ community complete with a clubhouse and golf course. Properties typically range from around $150,000 to just upwards of $400,000, and while many were built in the early 2000s, older properties, some dating to the early 1900s, have often been recently renovated. Lots are also for sale for those interested in custom builds. Some properties sit along small lakes, giving residents tranquil waterfront views. Locals here enjoy sidewalk-lined streets that often spread into cul-de-sacs, creating a walkable feel to these residential communities. Most properties include attached or detached garages, so residents don’t often have to park in the streets. Locals here keep well-maintained lawns with decorative trees scattered throughout yards.
Many Crest Hill residents reside in split level homes.
Ranch-style, split-level and contemporary, two-story homes are popular in Crest Hill.
Crest Hill has a small community feel.
Large single family homes sit on well-maintained lawns in Crest Hill.
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Hiking, snowshoeing and activities on the farm
The 680-acre Prairie Bluff Preserve is a popular spot among locals. Visitors head on paved trails, perfect for biking and hiking, and bingo lovers can bring drinks and food to enjoy the preserve’s bingo nights. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers enjoy the scenic wintery preserve in the winter months. Golfers can head to the Prairie Bluff Public Golf Course to practice their aim, and those who want waterfront hiking views can head to the Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve to enjoy natural paths that wind to the Des Plaines River. Theodore Marsh is another popular spot for locals wanting to explore forest, wetland and prairie land. Fall months offer visitors trails that meander through native flowers like smooth blue aster, while winter months offer activities on the snow, like snowshoeing. In the summer, locals head to the Chaney Pool to cool off. Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm’s pumpkin festival, complete with hayrides, pumpkin-picking straight off the vine and local fall flavors, is a popular spot in the fall. Kaity’s Country Store offers shoppers a selection of fresh pies, Amish goods and more, and locals wanting a rustic barn wedding often rent the farm’s barn to celebrate their special day.
Crest Hill residents can enjoy Siegel's Cottonwood Farms' events.
Hikers often explore the Prairie Bluff Preserve's trails, which are in Crest Hill.
Crest Hill residents can enjoy miles of hiking trails year-round.
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Shopping centers and popular eateries in Crest Hill
Residents here will be near shopping destinations like the Hillcrest Shopping Center and North Ridge Plaza, making grocery stores like Food4Less and chain retail establishments just a short drive away. Those wanting to grab a bite to eat out can explore Crest Hill’s many dining selections scattered throughout the city, often in or around shopping centers bordering Plainfield Road. The Southern Cafe is a popular spot for breakfast, and patrons here enjoy sweet dishes like cinnamon apple blintzes. For lunch, they can feast on southern classics like gumbo and fried catfish. Those wanting to enjoy classic, nostalgic flavors can head to Merichka’s, a family-owned restaurant that opened in 1933. It’s popular for its po’ boys and hand-ground sandwiches The restaurant’s sign is shaped like a boomerang, symbolizing the establishment’s desire for patrons to return. Those wanting to have a fun night out can head to Jackie’s Slots & Shots to enjoy happy hour specials, games and karaoke nights. Many other bars and night-time establishments are located east of Crest Hill, bordering the Des Moines River.
The Southern Cafe is a favorite spot for breakfast in Crest Hill.
Merichka's in Crest Hill has been family-owned and operated since 1933.
Crest Hill residents shop for fresh produce at the local Food 4 Less.
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Crest Hill Schools
Students in Crest Hill can enroll in the Richland School District 88A for elementary and middle school. They attend Richland Elementary, which received an A-minus rating from Niche and Richland Junior High. For high school, students can enroll in the Lockport Township High School District 205, one of the largest school districts in Illinois. It has two separate campuses, Central Campus for first-year students and East Campus for sophomores through seniors. East Campus received an A rating from Niche. Lockport Township High offers dual credit enrollment and STEM classes like astronomy and horticulture. Students can also attend private schools like Joliet Catholic Academy, which received an A rating from Niche and was rated as the best private high school in Will County.
Richland Junior High School in Crest Hill is home of the Eagles.
The Chaney-Monge School in Crest Hill prepares its students for greatness.
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Public transportation, major employers and the commute to downtown Chicago
Crest Hill Locals enjoy easy access to major transportation routes, including Illinois Route 53 to the city’s east and Interstate 55 to the west. Lincoln Highway’s Plainfield Road cuts diagonally through the city, offering locals easy access to some of the area’s most active commercial and industrial areas. While Crest Hill is a primarily car-dependent area, public transportation is available through the Metra Train Service and Pace Bus Service. Some residents will be less than five miles away via I-53 from Joliet’s train station, and bus stops are located around Crest Hill’s shopping areas, including the Hillcrest Shopping Center. Travelers will be just around 31 miles from the Chicago Midway International Airport via IL-53 and I-55, and the Weber Medical Center is just north of the city, around 3 miles away from the Hillcrest Shopping Center. Amazon, which has a facility in the city, is one of the area’s biggest employers, and the Stateville Correctional Center is another major employer. Locals often commute to or towards the downtown Chicago area, which is around 40 miles away via I-55.
Crest Hill residents enjoy quick access to the highway.
Jennifer Viano is a force to be reckoned with in the Real Estate realm. She has been a REALTOR® since 2015, but previous experience in management and consumer relations means she is able to handle anything a purchase or sale transaction can throw her way. In 2022 Jennifer started her own brokerage Town Center Realty based in Downtown Joliet, a long time dream come true. Since starting her Real Estate career, Jen has earned the title Designated Managing BROKER®, Real Estate Instructor as well as the designations of E-Pro, PSA, and Short Sale /Foreclosure Resource. She has also been a part of the Three Rivers Association of Realtor's Leadership Development Training and is on her second term serving as a director on the board of directors. She lives up to her motto of "Always Keep Learning".
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
