“I’ve been selling in this area for 52 years, and it’s hotter than usual,” says Gabe Caporale, Elmwood Park’s top-selling broker. With year-round events, a robust shopping and dining scene, convenient commute options, highly rated schools and well-kept, mid-priced homes, this village has attracted residents of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. And while it has long maintained a vast Italian-American population, there has been a rise in the number of Polish and Hispanic residents over the years, adding layers to this community’s unique culture.
Elmwood Park is a walkable village with amenities conveniently located near each other.
Elmwood Park's most iconic thoroughfare is the Circle.
Elmwood Park is a lively village with lots of character.
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Year-round events and recreation
Conti Parkway, also known as the Circle, is the community’s event and recreation hub. At the center of the parkway, Elmwood Park Recreation Center and Aquatic Center provide a bunch of indoor and outdoor recreation options. On the outer edge sits Elmwood Public Library, which hosts several events throughout the year for residents of all ages. “The library has events going on all the time,” says Caporale.
The community’s annual car show and summer concert series are amongst the most popular events at the Circle. And when they’re not gathered on Conti, residents head to Central Park to enjoy movies in the park. Caporale says, “There are activities nearly every day, ” including breakfast with Santa, Halloween Parties, pancake breakfast with the Easter Bunny and more.
Dining at Restaurant Row
Restaurant Week is one of the most popular events in Elmwood Park, attracting residents and visitors alike to the Circle and North Avenue every year. The section along North Avenue lined with a vast number of small, culturally rich dining establishments is called Restaurant Row. “Restaurant Row has all kinds of different ethnic restaurants,” says Caporale. Favorites include the renowned Italian restaurant, Donny G’s Ristorante and Bar, and Johnnie's Beef, a Chicago staple. “There’s also a pizza shop and Greek restaurant coming soon,” says Caporale.
New Star is a local favorite in Elmwood Park, serving Cantonese food since 1954.
Johnnie's Beef is a Chicago staple and features a popular location in Elmwood Park.
Elmwood Park diners can visit restaurant row on North Ave for a variety of food options.
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Harlem Irving Plaza, Norridge Commons and Angelo Caputo’s
Residents stuff their grocery carts at Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets, an Italian grocery store on North Harlem. For everyday essentials and retail, they head to Harlem Irving Plaza. The mall has been around since 1956 and features over 100 stores including Kohl’s, Best Buy, Hobby Lobby, Five Below, Nordstrom Rack and Dick’s. It’s just across the road from Norridge Commons Shopping Mall, which features stores like Ulta, Old Navy and Ross.
Elmwood Park residents are minutes away from Harlem Irving Plaza's retail shops.
Elmwood Park shoppers can head north to Norridge Commons which has many retail options.
For groceries, Elmwood Park residents can shop at Angelo Caputo's.
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Kennedy Expressway, Eisenhower Expressway and public transit
Caporale says that a main attraction to the community is its convenient location. “It’s centrally located between downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport and the two highways, Kennedy Expressway and Eisenhower Expressway.”
Kennedy Expressway is located about 7 miles north of Elmwood Park and Eisenhower Expressway is about 7 miles south. The Milwaukee Road metro train runs through the center of this community with the Elmwood Park station 2 blocks east of the Circle. Caporale says that after 10 PM, they do not blow the train horn and the bustle dies down, so nights in the village are mostly quiet. Other public transit options running through the village are bus routes 319, 318 and 307.
Elmwood Community Schools
Elmwood Park Community Unit School District No. 401 is the village’s public school district. The first step for students is Elmwood Elementary, which has a B-minus rating on Niche and serves kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Sixth through eighth graders attend Elm Middle School, which also has a B-minus rating, and ninth through twelfth graders attend Elmwood Park High School, which has a B-plus rating. “The schools are really good and have all been remodeled,” says Caporale.
Elmwood Park High School is an well rated public school in Elmwood Park, IL.
Elmwood Elementary School is an above-average, public school located in Elmwood Park, IL.
Elm Middle School has dozens of effective and excellent teachers and staff.
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A range of housing options
Brick bungalow architecture is the most common style in Elmwood Park, but there are also several condos, two-flats and modern French ranches dappled throughout. Caporale says that homes in this community have an average sale price of about $375,000. Inventory is low, and houses tend to only stay on the market for around 27 days. “There’s a shortage,” says Caporale. “Homes are selling fast and getting multiple offers.”
Bungalow homes are well represented in Elmwood Park
Modern two story homes add contemporary flair to Elmwood Park's neighborhood streets.
Luxurious modern homes sit on the southern border of Elmwood Park.
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Central Park, Schiller Woods South and Oak Park Country Club
Outdoor recreation options in this village are abundant. Central Park is the go-to for playground fun and dog walking. The park is also where the village hosts the Elmwood Park Gest and Easter Egg Hunt. For a more scenic option, residents head to Schiller Woods Nature Preserve to hike the trail, ride bikes and go cross-country skiing. And golf lovers can tee-up at Indian Boundary Golf Course, an 18-hole course located at the park's southern edge. For a more exclusive experience, they head to The Oak Park Country Club on Thatcher Avenue.
Just northwest of Elmwood park is Schiller Woods, which features a fishing pond.
Golfers will enjoy Oak Park Country Club located west of Elmwood park.
Elmwood Park's Central Park features winding paths that connect to a gazebo.
I am committed to helping my clients achieve their goals for buying or selling real estate. I have the best job in the world! I am putting people into homes. I could not enjoy it if I did not feel I was helping people.
My entire career has had to do with one aspect or another of Real Estate from mergers and acquisitions to being a loan officer and after that, working for home builders for almost 20 years. There I showed homes, prepared closing documents and everything in between. I have a BS Degree in Finance so I love working with numbers.
This variety of experience gives me a broad understanding of the Real Estate industry. Becoming a Realtor was very natural. It feels like everything in my life led up to and contributed to this moment.
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.
