Chicagoans commute into Oak Park for Notre Dame College Prep
The residential community of Oak Park notably surrounds Notre Dame College Prep. “Notre Dame is a very good school,” says Steve Genyk, a local broker at Dream Town Real Estate. He notes that the all-boys Catholic high school enrolls hundreds of students from the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. “But most people in Niles utilize the public schools because they’re also good. That’s not always something you find in the city.” Beyond the school grounds, midcentury ranch-style homes line sidewalks on the way to walkable parks and annual festivities. “Commuters have nice proximity to Chicago, but it’s still a safe area,” he continues, regarding Oak Park’s nearby Metra and Interstate 94 access points. Residents are also conveniently close to Milwaukee Avenue, one of Niles’ popular thoroughfares for shopping and dining.
Midcentury homes from Ottawa to Ozark
Oak Park is a residential community offering both single-family homes and apartments for rent. Midcentury ranch-styles line streets like Ozark, Overhill and Ottawa. Tree-lined sidewalks pass square lawns and paved driveways, leading to detached garages. Despite being so close to the active intersection of Dempster Street and Milwaukee Avenue, the neighborhood retains a CAP Index crime score of 2, compared to the national average of 4. “From a price standpoint, Niles is pretty affordable overall,” Genyk says, explaining the appeal of the northwest Chicago suburb. Prices in Oak Park, specifically, range between $350,000 to $470,000, on par with its surrounding neighborhoods.
Ranch homes are the predominant style found on Oak Parks quiet streets.
Ranch homes are a popular choice amongst homebuyers looking in Oak Park.
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International eats & markets along Milwaukee Avenue
International shopping and dining options flood Milwaukee Avenue, from Niles Polish Deli to Mango Restaurant, a walkable Mediterranean spot with a hookah bar. Golf Mill Shopping Center, which is slated for demolition in 2025 before undergoing a $440 million rebuild, sits less than a mile up the road. Set for completion in 2027, the new site will retain a few of its current tenants including Target, Burlington and Ulta. Residents can grab groceries from a handful of options across the street, including Fresh Farms International Market, Walmart Supercenter and Patel Brothers, an Indian grocer selling fresh bread and imported goods. Locally owned restaurants fill in the gaps, like Mykonos Greek Restaurant. Inside, blue and white décor pairs with authentic Grecian recipes that have served the Niles community since 1981. “The diversity is a great, positive thing,” Genyk says. “Niles itself, Skokie, Lincolnwood, they’re all truly inclusive so you’ll see a decent amount of restaurants and places of worship for many backgrounds.”
Oak Park residents may also head south on Milwaukee Avenue for Jewel-Osco or Jerry’s Fruit & Garden, a longstanding market that serves a wide variety of fresh produce. Patrons can shop everything from Honeycrisp apples to cilantro, dragon fruit and daikon. Others may flock to Dempster Street for broader options like Tony’s Fresh Market or Home Depot.
Oak Park has a diverse range of restaurants available with in a 5 minute drive.
The cusising at Mykonos Greek is a local favorite for Oak Park residents.
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Notre Dame College Prep ranks No. 7 in Illinois
Oak Park students attend East Maine School District 63, beginning at V.H. Nelson Elementary School. With a B on Niche, Nelson boasts an active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) that facilitates events throughout the year, including a Fall Fest and book fair. Gemini Middle School earns a B-plus on Niche. As the district’s only intermediate institution, the school integrates elementary students across the Niles area.
As for high school, Oak Park families are within a 2-mile radius of public and private options. Maine East High School, located in Park Ridge, is part of Maine Township High School District 207. With an A on Niche, Maine East offers 18 Advanced Placement courses and dual-credit opportunities through Oakton College, 4 miles up the road. Notre Dame College Prep is an all-boys Catholic school on Ozark Avenue. Part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, the institution earns an A-minus on Niche and ranks No. 7 in the state for all-male private high schools.
Maine East High School receives a A on Niche.com for its test scores and diversity.
Notre Dame College Prep is a well rated private school in Niles.
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Free concerts & a butterfly garden at Oak Park
Notre Dame College Prep’s ball fields and green space are considered private grounds, so many residents head a block south to Oak Park instead. A walking path on the park’s perimeter encircles a playground, butterfly garden and ball fields. Residents can even break out their lawn chairs for the park’s free concert series, held on Friday nights from July to August. Miami Woods, a 113-acre nature preserve on the North Branch Chicago River, offers more immersive outdoor recreation. Woodlands and prairies yield to the North Branch Trail, which features paved and unpaved sections for biking and hiking. Guests can take the trail 1.5 miles north into Wayside Woods to find picnic groves and a more comprehensive network of unpaved trails by the water.
Oak Park is a part of the Niles Park District.
Oak Park features fun playground designs.
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St. Haralambos’ Big Greek Food Fest highlights pastries & dancing
Beyond walkable free concerts at Oak Park, Niles is known to host a variety of events within a few miles of the neighborhood. At the end of each school year, District 63 throws an Education Foundation Fun Fest & Carnival at Golf Mill Park. Food vendors and games pair with festive carnival rides for the whole family to celebrate the start of summer break. In July, the village’s Independence Day parade actually begins at Notre Dame College Prep on Ozark Avenue. Residents of Oak Park can watch from their front yards as floats pass through on their way to Grennan Heights Park, about a mile south. Later that month, St. Haralambos Orthodox Church hosts its annual Big Greek Food Fest. Homemade meals and pastries accompany traditional Greek music and dancing, along with ornate church tours and a grand raffle at the weekend’s end.
Oak Park families have a blast bumping into friends during Morton Grove Days.
With a plethora of live music events nearby, Oak Park residents get out to party.
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The Skokie Swift L train heads toward Downtown Chicago
Most residents in Oak Park are car-dependent, but Ozark Avenue and Dempster Street still provide Pace Suburban bus stops for those who need it. Milwaukee Avenue and Dempster are both considered major thoroughfares in Niles, the latter housing the nearest emergency room just 2 miles west: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. Chicago commuters can drive 20 miles south on Interstate 94 or catch the Metra at Morton Grove station on Lehigh Avenue. Alternatively, L train devotees will find their nearest stop 4 miles west at Oakton-Skokie, home of the “Skokie Swift” yellow line. The route ends at Howard station, where riders can then transfer to the purple line express or red line. Both head south to The Loop. Regardless of preference, both Metra and L trains will take an hour to reach Downtown Chicago. Out-of-state travelers typically fly out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 8 miles south.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Jeffrey Padesky,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Linne Woods Forest Preserve
Bike Trails
Boating
Picnic Area
Grennan Heights Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Soccer
Oak Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Miami Woods
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
16 min drive
Bus
Main Station
Bus
Ozark & Greenleaf
Bus
Ozark & Notre Dame High School
Bus
Main St & Ottawa Ave
Bus
Main & Ozark
Bus
Ozark & Lee
Bus
Ozark & Crain
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Oak Park
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Oak Park, Niles sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Oak Park, Niles over the last 12 months is $481,776, up 15% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nicely updated apartment with 3 bedrooms and 1-1/2 baths located in Niles. Everything in the apartment has been updated in 2016/2017. Kitchen has stainless steel appliances, islands and granite countertops. Great location, close to park, school, shops and public transportation (Niles free bus). One car garage parking included in rent. Laundry in unit. Tenant pays for all utilities. Available June
Fariba RezaianBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Jeffrey Padesky,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,282
Median Age
47
Population under 18
18.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$72,438
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,791
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.1%
College Graduates
34.4%
Advanced Degrees
4.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.5%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
53/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
66/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
47/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
