Round Lake, Illinois - A Great Place to Move If Yo
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2/15/2010
Round Lake, Illinois is a town that stretches from Route 60 on the southern borders to about Fish Lake Road on the western edge to Route 134 on the northern fringes. Although elongated, local government has consciously worked to bring new businesses to the corridor. As in all new communities, growth sometimes doesn't come as fast as people like. Due to zoning issues, the newer portions of Round Lake feed into Big Hollow School Districts for elementary and junior high while feeding into Grant Township(Grant High School) for high school. For those families with children that are approaching college age, and looking for a quality education for undergraduate work, the College of Lake County is within a 12 to 20 minute drive of most neighborhoods in Round Lake. Children looking to go to college, but can't afford room and board should check out the University Center. The University Center offers various degree programs in a 4-year setting at a reasonable cost compared to having to spend monies on tuition and room and board.
With our third child entering the Big Hollow schools, they have received a great education with great teachers that care about their educational growth. Class sizes range from 20 to 26 children. Overall, our children have received a good education and are well-rounded.
The train is located within 1 to 2 mile radius of most of the communities in Round Lake specifically Valley Lakes and Lakewood Homes. Time to get downtown is about 1 hour 15 minutes stopping at every stop. Drive time to the City with improvements on the toll roads over the last 2 years is now about an hour to the junction. My recommendation for those who live or work in the downtown area, Round Lake might not be for you. For those working in Northbrook, Deerfield, Glenview or Northfield its about 40 to 45 minutes by train. Not too bad.
Taxes are representative of growth and services needed in the area. From $5K to $7K overall. With plans to eventually develop the corridor of Fairfield Road to Route 120 where a vacant nursery now stands will connect the Village of Round Lake.
Home prices in the newer portions of Round Lake range from $235K to $380K. Not bad when you look at homes on the North Shore.
Shopping is close and convenient. Most persons in the Valley Lakes Community are within a 5-minute drive to JEWEL and Dominick's on Route 12. For holiday shopping Hawthorn Mall is a 20 to 25 minute drive only.
So, the negativity that others have written about just isn't true. Don't lump Round Lake with the others Villages like Round Lake Beach, Rondout, Round Lake Park. And by the way, those communities have improved greatly over the last ten (10) years.
Police and fire have been good overall.
The make-up of Valley Lakes are middle to upper middle class with a mixture of professional, management-type and blue collar.
For those persons with families, Valley Lakes is made up of young families and families that are beginning to empty nest. Homes are a good investment. Looking at all subdivisions, Valley Lakes is the nicest the community offers with great parks and overall landscaping and care over the last ten years.
For those looking at the southern portion of Round Lake like in the Lakewood Homes neighborhoods, these are beautiful large homes that feed into the Mundelein School District for High School. Great neighborhood as well.
As I said above, do not lump Round Lake with similar communities like Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Rondout - the community of Round Lake is a nice place to live. The western (Valley Lakes) and southern (Lakewood Homes)portions are modern and offer a family a good standard of living with great schools and close proximity to transporation and shopping (Hawthorn Mall 20-25 minute drive time.)
John | Round Lake Beach, IL