Arlington Heights, IL
May 10th, 2008
Arlington Heights is a village located 25 miles from downtown Chicago, and is one of the city’s popular Northwest suburbs. In its early years, Arlington Heights was called “Dunton,” after William Dunton, who deeded 16 acres of land at the site in 1850 for the Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad Company (later known as the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company). A train depot was built there, and by 1857 there were six trains running between Dunton and Chicago every day. As a result, Dunton became a flourishing commercial center and residential area, with more than 1,000 residents by 1880. The named “Dunton” was changed to “West Wheeling,” and then finally changed to “Arlington Heights” when the village incorporated in 1887. Today Arlington Heights has a population of approximately 75,000 people, and continues to prosper with an expanding commercial and industrial base, not to mention a strong and loyal community that supports it. The village offers a variety of attractions including shopping and dining, performance arts, and outdoor recreation that bring all the excitement of a big city into the peaceful suburban atmosphere that commuters love to retreat to. Downtown Arlington Heights has been highly acclaimed as a vibrant feature and cultural hub of the village with its mixture of local merchants and chain stores, as well as restaurants and theaters—all housed in a pleasing combination of historic and new architecture. The village’s tree-lined streets, expansive park areas, community events, and award-winning schools have made Arlington Heights a popular destination for young families. In addition to a variety of private schools, the village’s public schools include seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and five high schools, many of which have received awards from the state, and even the nation.
Although Arlington Heights is known as a mecca for thirty-somethings, they aren’t the only ones flocking to be a part of this great community. Arlington Heights has many appealing residential neighborhoods that invite people from all walks of life—single professionals, growing families, and empty nesters alike. Homes in Arlington Heights are affordable, and the real estate market is accommodating with a well-rounded inventory of properties big and small to fit everyone’s individual needs. Whether you are a first time homebuyer or a fifth time homebuyer, Arlington Heights has a place for you.
