Naperville Named Best City in the U.S. to Raise a Family
Niche has given Naperville, Illinois the top spot on its 2018 list of the best cities to raise a family in the U.S. Naperville also landed in the second place slot — second only to Ann Arbor, Michigan — of Niche’s list of best cities to live in the country.
Niche used 13 factors, such as education, cost of living, safety, diversity, walkability, and outdoor activities, to rank the cities on its list of places to raise a family. The site used a similar methodology to name the best cities to live in America, although a few additional factors like nightlife, commute time, and weather were also considered.
Naperville received A grades for factors including public schools, outdoor activities, housing, jobs, commute, and health and fitness, according to the Chicago Tribune. The suburb’s lowest grades, a C+, were for its cost of living and weather.
Developments Coming to Naperville
It is no surprise that Naperville found its way to the top of this type of “best cities to live in” list. The city has a rich history dating back 160 years. Naperville is home to three high schools, eight middle schools, 34 elementary schools, its own beach (kind of), and the Riverwalk — just a few reasons it is so popular.
Additionally, a number of new developments are expected to roll out in Naperville. Calamos Real Estate is planning to build a 245,000-square-foot sports complex on 25 acres of land, according to Naperville Patch. The CityGate North project will include two ice rinks, 4,500 seats, and exposition space. The sports complex could break ground this spring.
The city is also considering rezoning a stretch of Route 59 to bring more commercial development to the area. The Naperville City Council has to vote to approve annexation of the residential area of the city, according to the Chicago Tribune. Three residences and a church are currently in the area in question.
The city could also get a brand new subdivision with 61 custom-built homes, according to the Chicago Tribune. A developer is proposing to build the subdivision on 31.5 acres of land near the intersection of Book Road and 103rd Street, land known as the Clow property.
If the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission approves the project, the custom-built, single-family homes would each have an average of 12,500 square feet of lot space, according to the report. The development would also include 7.83 acres of open space and a memorial to the Clow family, who were some of the original settlers of Will County.
"I think this is a logical infill piece to me. It's one of the last remaining undeveloped pieces on the south side. The builder has an excellent reputation and I think adjoining homeowners are going to be pleased,” Commissioner Carrie Hansen told the Chicago Tribune.