Housing
From urban, suburban, historical, and everything in between - Elgin has a neighborhood and home just for you! You can buy a spacious, multi-bedroom home with an expansive yard for what you'd pay for a tiny condo in the large city. But if it's a sleek city condo or row house with a rooftop deck you want, we have those too.
Elgin is a city that will make you feel welcome and at home. Our community is culturally diverse, values self-expression and prides itself on being open, friendly, and creative - but our residents all have one thing in common: they proudly call Elgin home.
And remember our location is unique: any place in the world seems to be only a hop, skip, or a jump away! Metra, the area’s local commuter train, offers direct access to downtown Chicago from three Elgin stations. Home owners also have easy access to I-90, which puts our customers only half an hour from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. These conveniences and many more make new homes in Elgin Illinois the perfect place to live without the travel restrictions.
Urban
With trendy loft condos in historic storefront buildings or new townhomes along the beautiful river walk, living in downtown Elgin, Illinois offers an urban lifestyle, at a fraction of the cost in Chicago. Offering a quick walk to Metra, downtown restaurants, shops, post office, library, and many other downtown Elgin ammedities, young professionals are finding downtown Elgin the trendy place to be! In addition, Elgin’s downtown is fast becoming the arts center for the suburbs, offering many theatre performances, nightclubs and arts activities centered right in Elgin’s downtown area.
Surburban
Home owners in the Elgin area have access to almost 1,200 acres of parks and scenic riverfront areas, and over 4,000 acres of forest preserves, nature trails and bike paths. Elgin, Illinois is a great place for recreational family activities such as visiting the Historic Lord’s Park with features like an aquatic park, a zoo, picnic areas and a museum. Another park available to Elgin locals is Wing Park which has features like sports fields, tennis courts, an aquatic center, a band shell and a play area. Elgin also has over 40 public and private golf courses available for enjoyment and relaxation. Moving to Elgin Illinois has many benefits for customers of all ages due to the many local activities this city provides.
Historical
To protect our community's heritage, the Elgin City Council and other community leaders have designated four historic districts. Elgin’s first local historic district was designated in 1981, and was successfully placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Elgin’s second historic district became official in February 1996. Consisting mainly of homes built between 1886 and 1920, the Spring / Douglas Historic District recognizes the high level of architectural variety found in Elgin’s northeast neighborhoods. This district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
The third historic district, Elgin National Watch Factory Historic District, was added in 1997. This area of town surrounds the location of the Elgin Watch factory and consists mostly of worker’s cottages and vernacular houses.
The last historic district added to the city was in January 2007, the DC Cook/Lovell Historic District. This area of town was developed around the David C Cook Publishing Company.
Over the last twenty years, millions of dollars have been invested in these and other older neighborhoods to restore and renovate hundreds of homes, from spacious vintage Victorians to modest workers cottages. City grant dollars coupled with private investment has revitalized these beautiful old neighborhoods, bringing new families and new energy to these beautiful old neighborhoods. Located near the downtown area, these neighborhoods offer the convenience of walking to amenities such as the Gail Borden Public Library, Metra Station, Hemmens Cultural Center and Centre of Elgin park & recreation facility.
Everything In Between
Where do you want to live? Whether you are in the market for a quaint family-friendly neighborhood bungalow, a high-rise condo downtown, an age-restricted community that promotes a quiet, child-free lifestyle, a retirement community, a gated community or an upscale new home with a wealth of amenities, there is no shortage to the supply of housing options in Elgin.
With so many options to choose from, where do you begin?
A qualified, licensed, Chamber member Realtor can be an invaluable tool for helping you finalize your selection.