Affordability & community mindedness in Park Forest
Aptly named for its hundreds of acres of parks and woodlands, Park Forest was initially a planned community for veterans returning home from WWII. Decades later, many of the village’s midcentury homes and gathering places still stand. “Yes, there are a lot of parks here,” says Nina Kendrick, a former Park Forest resident and broker at Luxe Living Realty. “But it’s the affordability and community-mindedness that really draw people in. Plus, it’s equidistant to three major interstates, making the commutes pretty easy.”
Located 35 miles south of Chicago, Park Forest is near Interstates 57, 80 and 294. With ample public transit options and a neighboring industrial sector—Chicago Heights—modern residents are well-positioned to reach nearby employers and shopping areas.
The Park Forest community celebrates Veteran's Day at Central Park each year.
Enjoy the peaceful scenery along the water at Somanauk Park in Park Forest.
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Midcentury homes dating back to the village’s beginnings
Midcentury ranch-style homes and split levels make up a majority of the market in Park Forest. Many date back to the first wave of development post-WWII. Homebuyers will also find various townhomes, co-ops and condos primarily along Western Avenue. With a median price of $145,000, properties rarely stay on the market for more than two months. Overall, prices fall far below the national average but home values have slowly increased since 2020.
“Park Forest is a great place for someone looking to buy their first home,” says Margaret Banks, a Broker at Home Sellers Realty with 30 years of experience in the area. “And for those who want something even more affordable, there are townhomes and co-op communities where the properties still have private porches and full basements.”
According to 2025 data from the Park Forest Police Department, the village’s violent and property crime rates are about average when compared to state and national levels.
Modern, luxury homes with big yards and attached garages can be had in Park Forest.
Modern homes in Park Forest offer lots of living, garage and yard space.
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Park Forest neighbors Chicago Heights’ industrial sector
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, retail and healthcare are among the top professions in the city. Many residents work in the downtown area or commute to nearby healthcare centers like Franciscan Health Olympia Fields and UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital. Park Forest is also next door to Chicago Heights, a city known for its historic industrial sector. Hence, manufacturing, logistics and automotive companies are among the largest employers in the region.
Park Forest employees can expect a 5-mile commute to most industries in the Chicago Heights area, while those heading to Chicago will drive 35 miles north on Interstate 57. “People can also take the Metra into the city since the train picks up along the west side of Park Forest,” Kendrick says, referring to stations at Richton Park and Matteson. The village provides Pace suburban bus service closer to Western Avenue, while Gary/Chicago International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport are equidistant for out-of-state travel.
Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163
Village students attend Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163, which earns an overall C-plus on Niche. Michelle Obama School of Technology and the Arts, and Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM, stand out for their well-rounded curriculums. District 163 students graduate to Bloom Township High School District 206, which earns a C-plus on Governors State University, south of the village in University Park, enrolls about 4,000 students.
Michelle Obama School of Technology is a great school for its students in the Beacon Hill area.
Bloom High School provides an academically enriching environment in the West End.
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Thousands of acres for recreation & events
Park Forest is home to around 2,000 acres of parks and recreation facilities. Sauk Trail Woods and the Thorn Creek Trail System are a natural barrier between the village and its neighbor, Chicago Heights. Both trails offer scenic views surrounding Thorn Creek and Sauk Trail Lake.
Back home, the public Somonauk Nature Adventure Park received an $800,000 renovation in 2023. New features included a brand-new fishing pond, kayak launches and zip lines. Nearby, Central Park is divided between recreational amenities and preserved wetlands. “People love using the tennis courts, dog park and walking trails in the preserve,” Kendrick says. “And the Park Forest Aqua Center has a popular community pool open to the public.” Banks adds that all of the park’s annual events, including a Fourth of July parade, are free. “All you have to do is bring your lawn chair and cooler," she says.
Grab a friend and shoot hoops on the courts at Somanauk Park in Park Forest.
Central Park is the largest of the many parks in Park Forest.
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Browsing fresh produce at the Main Street Market
The Park Forest Plaza has stood the test of time since 1950. Once a regional shopping center, the Main Street hub was transformed into a contemporary downtown center in the mid-1990s. Today, “DownTown” is home to a Cultural Arts Center, a banquet hall and a handful of small businesses. For over 50 years, Main Street Market vendors have livened the area from May to October. Each Saturday morning, vendors gather on Main Street selling fresh produce, flowers, herbs and baked goods. Chain grocers and retailers are open in the surrounding villages of Matteson and Chicago Heights.
Park Forest's Main Street Market has been operating each summer since 1974.
The Park Forest Farmers Market offers fresh garden produce, plants herbs, bakery items and more.
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The arts & music scene DownTown
Next door to Central Park and the Park Forest Public Library, Freedom Hall Nathan Manilow Theatre hosts local performers and tribute bands throughout the year. Open since 1976, the theater is largely representative of the greater arts community in DownTown Park Forest. The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tall Grass Arts Association hold offices in the village’s Cultural Arts Center and help sponsor local art events, including the Park Forest Art Fair. Main Street Nights is also held in DownTown at the Village Green. Residents gather among the public art displays from June through August for live music and food vendors.
A beautiful community mural adorns one of the downtown buildings in Park Forest.
Many people spoke about healthy ways of life at the Awakening Wellness Fest in Park Forest IL.
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