Pleasant midcentury aesthetics, 14 miles west of Chicago
Melrose Park has a reputation for always trying to move ahead. Situated 14 miles west of downtown Chicago, it blossomed along with the development of the Proviso freight yards in the 1920s. It established an identity as an industrial hub playing host to companies like Ford, Buick and Zenith. Beautification efforts appeared in subsequent decades, and homebuyers still seek out Melrose Park for the pleasing suburban atmosphere marked by woods, parks and the Des Plaines River. “When people start looking at the western suburbs like Melrose Park, they’re getting an area that’s known for being aesthetically pleasing,” says Realtor Brandon Rodriguez with Corona Homes Team.
Melrose Park is a suburb outside Chicago established in 1882.
There are many affordable housing options in Melrose Park.
The trail along the Des Plaines River is a notable landmark in Melrose Park.
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Hints of Frank Lloyd Wright in housing styles
Indeed, the rich sense of history in Melrose Park lives on through its architectural flair that tips its hat to the past. “The area has a lot of historical homes because we were close to Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio,” says Stephanie Samuel, a librarian in Maywood. “His students ended up building in the area. Families come here for these styles.” This heritage can show up in newer construction from the 2020s, too, when common genres like ranch homes are elevated with sharp lines reminiscent of Wright’s Prairie style. But homebuyers are just as likely to see midcentury bungalows, split-levels and creative Craftsman-inspired homes with three or four bedrooms. Prices range from $140,000 to $580,000. At the streetscape level, this is a suburban community with driveways, garages and mature shade trees but it does have some urban residential tendencies – small ornamental lawns and homes stacked close together along sidewalks, for example.
The lawns are all properly maintained in Melrose Park.
There are many midcentury bungalows in Melrose Park.
There are homes to match many budgets in Melrose Park.
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State basketball showdown at Proviso West High
Grant Elementary covers 1st through 5th grade, and features a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio. It earns a C-plus overall from Niche, but scores an A-minus in the teachers category. Roosevelt Middle earns the same overall grade, but has a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Proviso West High scores a C-minus as well, and is known for hosting a basketball tournament every December, where 16 teams from across Illinois compete.
Grant Elementary School is a public school in Melrose Park.
Roosevelt Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 in Melrose Park.
Proviso West High has 1,956 students in Melrose Park.
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Renovated equipment at Bataan Park
Relatively small green spaces like Bataan Park dot the landscape. Residents can go here to lounge or stay active. In 2022, Bataan received a newly renovated playground, tennis courts, gardens, ball fields, exercise track and picnic pavilion. On the east end, Oak Park Country Club merges with Thatcher Woods, tied together by the string of the Des Plaines River. At the club, players can weave across an 18-hole marked by a persistent creek. And at Thatcher Woods, visitors can immerse themselves in walking trails or visit the Trailside Museum of Natural History.
There is an updated playground at Bataan Park in Melrose Park.
River Forest locals enjoy fishing at the Thatcher Glen Pond.
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Retail abundance at Winston Plaza
Shopping and dining in Melrose Park presents an interesting mix of small locally owned businesses and big box destinations. For example, Broadway Avenue and Division Street intersect in the center of Melrose Park, and from here it’s just mere blocks to a pizza place, taqueria or cozy Italian restaurant. Lake Street on the southern border is much the same, with small Mexican markets thrown in as well. Meanwhile, Winston Plaza along North Avenue presents a Jewel-Osco, a Target and a Cermak Fresh Market – clearly it isn’t hard to find groceries here. Fast food chains are abundant, as are household names like Best Buy, Walgreens and Starbucks. Evening entertainment can be found at a Cinemark movie complex.
Get your shopping done at the Costco in Melrose Park.
Rancho Nuevo Market is a local favorite for groceries Melrose Park.
Get fresh deli meats and cheeses from the Jewel-Osco in Melrose Park.
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Taste of Melrose Park is a food extravaganza
Located on the west end near the freight yards, Swap-O-Rama offers flea market fun with an estimated 200 sellers inside and 100 sellers outside every Saturday and Sunday. The Melrose Park Public Library has events like Make It Mondays, Bilingual Storytime and yoga classes. Food vendors descend every September for the Taste of Melrose Park festival, held annually at the Melrose Park Village Complex. Also in September, the area hosts the Hispano Fest, which raises money for scholarships.
Swamp-O-Rama has many affordable shopping options for residents in Melrose Park.
The Melrose Park Public Library is a great place to find a new book in Melrose Park.
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Metra station near Lake Street
Melrose Park is distinguished by the fact that its residential grid is highly walkable, but the commercial areas are easy to access as well. Buses run along key routes like North Avenue, Broadway Avenue and Lake Street, allowing residents to explore every compass point through public transportation. There’s a Metra station on the southside, too, just on the other side of Lake Street. Commuters may also choose to take North Avenue a mile west to quickly connect with Interstate 290. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital is nearby, too.
The Melrose Park Metra stop connects Chicago to Melrose Park.
Residents enjoy being close to many options for shopping in Melrose Park.
Since beginning her real estate career in 2001, Managing Broker Erica Cuneen has been a top-producing agent and consistently sells at the multi-million dollar level. With primary markets in Chicago, Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest, Erica has experience with varied markets and a diverse group of clients. Above all, Erica recognizes the timeless value of finding the ideal home and community for each of her clients. Exceptional service and the desire to exceed clients’ expectations is Erica’s hallmark.
Erica strives to ensure her clients find the home they want and invest in properties that meet their business needs. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she can help you realize the value of your property and handle transactions smoothly. As a former Peace Corps volunteer, educator of deaf students in Ecuador, and bilingual (Spanish) educator in Chicago public schools, Erica appreciates the value of community. In today’s active market, sellers need to set themselves apart. As an environmentally conscious professional, Erica is a certified EcoBroker. Her ability to highlight green features puts sellers’ property at the forefront, and buyers benefit from the energy savings and peace of mind.
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.
