Living In Northlake

Northlake is a small city in Cook County, which is the second most populated county in the US. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Northlake is treasured for the peace and homeliness it offers its close-knit community. 

For the people of Northlake, this neighborhood is a well-kept secret of Chicago living. It offers the quiet charm of an easygoing residential area while being just a short drive away from the bustling amenities of its neighboring suburbs. So whether you want to settle into peaceful small-town life, or instead use it as a base for exploring the wider Chicagoland area, you’ll have a friendly, safe and affordable home in Northlake. 

Now, perhaps I’m a little biased… After all, I grew up in Northlake myself. And like most of its 12, 000 residents, I’ll tell anyone who’ll listen just why The City of Friendly People has a special place in my heart. 

Keep reading to find out from a local what it’s like to grow up and live in Northlake, and why I think it’s one of the most underrated suburbs in Illinois. 

Along the way, we’ll take a look at the schooling districts, the community facilities, the housing market, and everything else you need to know before buying a home in Northlake. 

Growing up in Northlake, IL 

In September of 1985, my Dad, Mom, and I moved to Northlake Illinois, a small town of about 12,000 residents on the county edge. We were following in the footsteps of other family members, hearing about the promise of these friendly suburbs.

At that time, many neighborhoods of Chicago were experiencing a boom in population; for some, more than they could handle. My parents wanted a better quality of life for us three; more space, better schools, and a little peace and quiet. Like most parents, their dream was simple — to give their children the best opportunities with what they had. They chose Northlake as the perfect place for me to grow up; safe, friendly, and somewhere that we could call home. 

My parents settled for a small Cape Cod at the intersection of Wolf Road and Whitehall Ave. It had three beds and 1 bathroom, for a humble price of $62,000. As my dad would say, it wasn’t much — but it was all they needed. 

I spent 25 years in that Cape Cod and saw many transformations and investments in the community, parks, and library over the years. My mother would brag to her friends that there was no other place where she felt safer than in Northlake. Naturally, the town’s traditions and events soon became staples of my childhood memories. I always looked forward to the parades through Wolf Road and the magnificent yearly festival and fireworks displayed by the city. 

I owe Northlake for who I am today. This city gave me an education, a community, and many friendships that I’ve cherished my whole lifetime. My father was right about that little Cape Cod and the small town it sat in. It was humble in size but big in heart — and more than enough to live a happy life and raise a family. 

For me, there’s no place quite like my hometown of Northlake, Illinois. 

Is Northlake, IL a good place to raise a family? 

Of course, my own childhood in Northlake makes me inclined to say that Northlake has everything a happy family needs. But hey, I’m just one person!

Let’s take a closer look at what it’s like to bring up a family in Northlake today — starting with a tour of Northlake’s schools, parks, and community events. 

Schools in Northlake

Northlake is split into several school districts. The districts all have a good choice of elementary schools. However, when it comes to thinking about locations, it’s worth noting that there is quite a difference in rankings between the two high schools of Northlake.

Elementary/Middle schoolers are served by District 83, Berkley, and District 8, Mannheim, each with three different schools to choose from: 

• District 83: Roy Elementary School and Westdale Elementary School in Northlake and Mannheim Middle School in Melrose Park 
• District 87: Riley Elementary School, Whittier Elementary School, and Northlake Middle School

There are also two private elementary schools — St John Vianney and Parkview Baptist Academy. 

High Schoolers are served by Districts 212 and 209, depending on where they live: 

• High school kids north of North Avenue attend West Leyden High School 
• Those on the south side attend Proviso West High School in Hillside 

West Leyden High School

District 212 built the West Leyden High School campus on Wolf Road in 1958. This development was gladly received, as Northlake children no longer had to commute to Franklin Park to attend high school. 

Since then, West Leyden has gone on to provide value to the community above and beyond its convenient location. It’s undergone many renovations and is currently rated #135 best high school in Illinois, and has an A- award from Niche.com. 

Another thing that stands out about this school is its unique architecture. West Leyden has seven educational wings that create a circular courtyard at the building’s center.  

West Leyden currently has 1,607 students in grades 9-12. The student-teacher ratio is 15 to 1, better than the national average of 17 to 1. According to state test scores, 24% of students are at least proficient in math and 27% in reading.

Proviso West High School

Teens residing south of North Avenue attend Proviso West High School. Proviso West is a public school located in Hillside, IL and has a D+ rating on niche.com. 

Proviso West High School has 1,853 students in grades 9-12. The student-teacher ratio is a little busier than West Leyden, at 19 to 1. According to state test scores, 8% of students are at least proficient in math and 7% in reading.

Community Events

There’s plenty of opportunities to come together with your local community in Northlake, with events taking place in the parks all throughout the year. Many fond family memories are made at these celebrations, including Eggstravaganza in the spring, Boofest in October, and Winterfest in December.

The biggest bash by far is Northlake Days, hosted every year on a sunny June weekend. Families and friends across the city flock to this festival to enjoy the carnival, car show, and parade. 

Eggstravaganza 

Every year, the City of Northlake holds an Easter “EGG’ Stravaganza, for children of all ages to delight in. This all-age celebration offers crafts, balloon artists, bingo for kids, and games. Rumour has it that the Easter Bunny puts in a yearly appearance, too! 

Boofest

Northlake has been celebrating Halloween with Boofest for almost 25 years. Every year, the city puts on quite the spectacle, with a bonfire, fireworks, haunted trails, scary movies, a haunted hayride, and even a DJ to supply the spooky beats for the night. Boofest has something to look forward to for all the family and is made a success every year by its volunteers and community members. And in classic Northlake spirit, all of it is free! 

Winterfest

There’s no better way to get that festive feeling than Northlake’s Winterfest. Again, it’s a completely free event, designed to put a twinkle in the eyes of kids and adults alike. For the littles ones, it’s the most exciting event of the year – but for mum and dad, it sparks that Christmassy feeling they had as a child. The event features games, crafts, sleigh rides. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Winterfest without a picture with Santa! 

Northlake Days 

The event of the year is easily Northlake Days. The festival goes throughout a whole weekend in June and includes a car show, Bingo games, fireworks, a beer garden, plenty of tasty things to eat, a parade throughout the town, and much more. The weekend is set to a soundtrack played by local and regional musicians. Thrill-seekers can get their kicks on the carnival rides, and there’s plenty of games for the little ones too. 

Green Spaces and Parks

Northlake has plenty of green spaces to lift the spirits, which has been more important in 2020 than ever before. There are outdoor spaces across the entire city, often with picnic benches, pretty flower plantings, and fountains. Let’s take a stroll around some of the best parks in Northlake.

The Centerpoint Preserve (Grant Park) 

The Centerpoint Preserve rambles over 32-acres in the heart of Northlake. It was donated to the city by Centerpoint Properties and has since become a hub of activity for the community. 

The park has a path for walking and cycling, with outdoor workout stations along its entire length. For those who like to take their exercise and their fresh air at the same time, they can get a decent workout on the pull-up bars, wall hurdles, squat bars, and sit-up benches.

In 2019, a new park and fitness area were created in Centerpoint Preserve. The fitness area was made possible by a grant from Microsoft, whose data center in Northlake is one of the largest ever built. The new park, named after city clerk Joanne Floistad, features musician percussion instruments to add a new element to children’s playtime. 

With security cameras and regular Police Department surveys Northlake’s community can feel safe to enjoy the park and take some exercise, even at night. In the future, the city plans to create a picnic area with running water, perfect for those hot Chicago summer afternoons. 

Millennium Park

You can find Millennium Park just across from Wolf Road. The plot originally belonged to the local Church but was sold to the City to be repurposed for the people of Northlake. The Sandy Vasquez Center is hired out for birthday bashes, parties, and all manner of local events. The park itself has a tranquil water fountain, swings and play areas for children, and a volleyball court.

The Midland Trail

The midland trail is a multi-use trail fit for cycling, strolling, dog walking, or running — whatever takes your fancy. The trail stretches for 3.2 miles, weaving all the way along Addison’s creek past Veterans/Grant Park, Centerpoint Preserve, a sheltered picnic area, Jerome Park, and Fairview Cemetery. Keep your eyes peeled for the Fire Hydrant cemetery; this collection of retired fire hydrants is a favorite for Northlake’s canine community.

The trail saw significant improvements over 2018-19. Originally, Addison’s creek was mostly sheltered from view by an overgrowth of trees. After the renovations, the creek is something of an oasis to walk beside, with clear views of the water along the route. The renovations have brought sunlight, helped the creek to flow more freely, as well as encouraging the future growth of diverse wildlife. The trail has also seen improvements to the tracks for smooth cycling, and lighting along the full length of the trail at night. 

Is Northlake IL a good neighborhood?

When considering the local area, it’s important to ask the question — is Northlake safe? According to niche.com and city-data.com, Northlake has lower levels of violent and non-violent crime compared to the national average. In particular, levels of violent crime are considerably lower. Northlake has 70% less assaults, 70% less violent robberies, 22% less sexual assaults than the national average, with zero murders in the last year. The most common crime in Northlake is theft.

Northlake is also noted to be much safer than comparable neighborhoods such as Melrose Park and Stone Park. Most people in Northlake will happily tell you that they feel very safe within their community — my mother being no exception to the rule! She’s always told her friends that she’s never felt safer than in Northlake.

The City of Northlake is generally invested in making Northlake a good place for all to live. Over recent years, they’ve installed lighting in public parks and trails to cater to late-night exercisers. The city has seen good investment in the community and infrastructure over the years. Interestingly, Northlake was recently found to have some of the best paving in the entire Chicago area. It’s details like this that point towards the City of Northlake’s commitment to continuous improvement. 

What is the Housing Market like in Northlake? 

The Northlake area has an urban-suburban mixed feel, with a mix of Condos and Cape Cods. 69% of the population own their homes. Today, this population is at a comfortable 12,300. The diverse community is made up of Northern-European homeowners and younger Hispanic families drawn to the prospect of affordable fixer-upper homes.

Around 60% of single-family home stock are Cape Cods and small ranch-style homes. These Cape Cods have defined the look and feel of Northlake since they were built en-masse in the 1940s. Over the years, they’ve been fixed up, remodeled, and given facelifts, a tribute to a community that was founded on making the most of what they have. 

On the Northeast side of the city, there’s an unincorporated area. Though the addresses still read Northlake, buyers benefit from real estate taxes between $300-$400 lower than incorporated homes. If there are no sidewalks on the lot, then you’ve got yourself an unincorporated property. 

The most affordable homes are often found in the King Arthur Apartments and Condominiums, with housing for less than $100k. 

At the other end of Northlake’s price range is the Wolf Ridge Condominiums. The building was constructed in the 2000s and its residents benefit from many modern amenities and two indoor parking spaces. For these condos, the prices start at over $200k. Wolf Ridge is an exception to the Northlake housing market, with most other condos being older and sold for under $100k. 

In 2022, recent single-family housing sales have ranged between $200- $390 thousand. The average home value as of November 2022 is $252,000 — slightly lower than the national average.

Northlake is sandwiched between Elmhurst, Melrose Park, and Stone Park — and there are definite benefits to being in Northlake. When it comes to Melrose Park and Stone Park, the housing market is similar. Northlake, however, benefits from a far safer community and better public schooling.

When it comes to Elmhurst, Northlake’s obvious advantage is its drastically more affordable housing and cost of living. Though Elmhurst may have more going on,  you can take it easy with Northlake’s great cost of living and affordable housing market. Whenever you feel like a change of pace, you can jump in the car and be in downtown Elmhurst in just 15 minutes. But if you’re looking for parks, outdoor spaces, or a great library, then you needn’t go far — Northlake has it all.

Is Northlake a good neighborhood for seniors?

Northlake has a large senior community that is well catered for by the City of Northlake. There are four retirement communities: Villa Scalabrini, Concord Place, Casa San Carlo, and Donald W. Kent Residence.

The City provides both lawn-cutting and snow clearing services for senior residents. There is a monthly senior citizen commission, and at least five different senior citizens clubs. Centerpoint park recently gained a new fitness area in 2019, with resistance equipment specially designed for people with mobility restrictions or disabilities. 

Does Northlake have nice places to eat out? 

When it comes to eating out, Northlake is home to some hidden gems. Given its atmosphere, it should come as no surprise that Northlake’s eateries tend to be heartwarming, wholesome, and humble.

You might not find fine dining in Northlake, but what you’ll get is something better… Cosy, local spots where you can get to know the owners, wave to your neighbors and feel at home. For sure, you can find all your favorite fast-food and counter-serve classics — but don’t be fooled into thinking that’s all Northlake has to offer!

Northlake has a generous handful of wonderful mom-and-pop places. Not only this, but its diverse population gives way to a range of cuisines, with some big flavors on offer. 

Garden Bee Thai Eatery

Much like Northlake is known as ‘the city of friendly people’, Garden Bee Thai Eatery can be considered the kitchen of friendly people. They’ve built their business based on three things: Fresh ingredients, comforting dishes, and big smiles. 

Garden Bee is unassuming from the outside, housed at a strip mall ever since they opened in 1986. Inside, though, it’s cute as a button. The warm Thai-style furnishings give a coziness rarely achieved by other buffet-style eateries. 

The owners have been ma and pa to their local community for years, treating everyone who walks through the door like family. Every review, in fact, mentions Ma. She grows her own peppers for the dishes, greets everyone with a smile, and enjoys proudly telling her customers that they don’t use any MSG. 

If ever you get the chance, you have to try Garden Bee Thai. 

Perry’s Pizza Joynt

For the people of Northlake, Perry’s Pizza Joynt tastes just like home. Their specialty is thin crispy crust pizza, with a boatload of toppings. Rumour has it that both the recipes and the decor have been the same since they opened in 1979 — and that’s what’s so special about Perry’s. 

Perry’s isn’t your regular Pizza spot. When you step inside, you might be surprised to find yourself a dark but roomy bar — lit up only by art deco lamps, LED wall lettering, and a flat-screen TV. Its casual vibe lets you know straight away that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself. 

And enjoy themselves is exactly what Northlake people do at Perry’s. Your regular scene is groups of local kids and families, laughing and chatting around a centerpiece of pizza and fries. Doubling up as a cocktail bar, Perry’s has long since been a popular watering hole for parents, too. 

The original owner of Perry’s sadly passed away in September 2020. He lives on through all the great memories that people in Northlake have  — and continue to make — in this much-loved Pizza Joynt. 

Portillo’s 

Portillo’s dogs are an icon of Chicago’s food, so it’s no surprise that the Northlake branch is just one of fifty different locations. However, the Northlake Portillo’s is one of the earliest restaurants set up by the infamous Dick Portillo.

In his book, Dick Portillo describes how he chooses locations. He takes time to walk the area, looking for places that give him that special feeling. Northlake gave him exactly that feeling. The fact that a Portillo’s stands in the suburbs today is a nod to the charm of this small town. 

As for the dogs — there’s little that needs to be said. This restaurant is a favorite for Chicagoans across the land, and for very good reason too. 

Sabor de mi Tierra Mexican Grill

Sabor de mi Tierra Mexican Grill is on Mannheim Road, which runs along the boundary between Northlake, Melrose Park, and Stone Park. Given that these suburbs have some of the largest Hispanic populations in the entire Chicagoland area, you can expect pretty great things from Sabor de mi Tierra.

Their cooking captures the heart of Mexican cuisine — warming, colorful, and delicious. Everybody loves the mole enchiladas, be it chicken, vegetarian or vegan. With their handmade fresh tortilla, you’d be crazy not to! But if you ever happen to pass by in the morning, then the breakfast churros are the obvious choice.

Winking Dog

The guys at Winking Dog are serving up old-school hot dogs, enormous gyros, tasty fries, and more. This place has a classic diner-style atmosphere and is frequented by many loyal and local customers. The Winking Dog has been a cornerstone of Northlake’s casual dining since 1958, thanks to their tasty grub, generous portions, and unbeatable prices. 

What is the history of Northlake, IL? 

The land where Northlake sits was used as farmland, as late as 1939. The very first houses were built by Midland Development Company for the workers at the Buick Defense Plant in World War II. They were sold as empty shells, attracting DIY carpenters to make it their own — installing the electrics, heating, plumbing, and then painting, and furnishing them into a home. 

By 1941, there were 600 of these houses standing. It’s quite impressive to consider the achievement of those early residents. There was no city plan, no awn or paved roads — just dirt, mud, gravel, and a future to create for themselves. Many say that the ethos of ‘making it your own’ still lives on in Northlake today.

The residents, proud of what they had accomplished, chose not to be annexed to Melrose Park or Elmhurst. This was a city of its own making and would take its own name and make its own path. Although the first houses of Northlake sprung up alongside Addison’s Creek, the name ‘Northlake’ bears no relation to any stretch of water. Rather, the name was chosen as the winner of the naming competition in 1949 — combining the names of its two main streets (North Avenue and Lake Street). 

After the first mayor was elected in 1949, citywide improvements began on a mass scale. With the advent of the sewer system and three-million gallon water reservoir, many more people came to live in Northlake. By that point, the population reached 4,400. During this post-war housing boom, Northlake provided many G.I.s with their first homes. 

The town has been under development since day one, still continuing to innovate and transform the small town. Although its beginnings are untraditional — some say, it’s a city built backward — it developed into a nicely plotted town with plenty to offer. 

A lighter memory of residents and law enforcement in the 1960s was the visit of “Kay”. Kay was a 20-year-old elephant, who made a get away from the Keely and Miller Bros Circus, which was performing in Franklin Park. A loud, low-flying airplane traveling from O’Hare Airport had apparently startled Kay and another elephant named Barbara. While Barbara traveled northwest, Kay headed for Northlake. Before she was caught, the 6,500-pound mammal trampled flower beds, squashed vegetable patches, walked through fencing, and gave residents of all ages the shock of their lives.