Suburban Spotlight: La Grange
La Grange, a southwestern suburb of Chicago, is close enough to the city to be attractive to commuters but far enough away to retain a suburban charm characterized by open space, a distinct downtown, and a rich cultural scene. Find out what life is like in La Grange.
The History
Like so many Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs, La Grange’s history is shaped in part by the Chicago Fire of 1871. Franklin D. Cossitt is credited with founding the suburb, according to the La Grange Area Historical Society. He moved from La Grange, Tennessee to Chicago (hence the name) and founded a wholesale grocery store that would be consumed by the fire, according to the historical society. Rather than give up, he moved westward and began developing 600 acres into a village that’s now modern day La Grange.
Finding a Home
La Grange is an attractive option for homebuyers seeking an affordable cost of living. If you’re looking for an attached home, Spring Avenue Station is a promising neighborhood to start your search. This La Grange neighborhood was largely developed around 2001, which means you’ll find plenty of new construction here. Spring Avenue Station has competitive pricing with a median sale price in the low $200s, according to Neighborhoods.com data.
You can also find reasonably priced single-family homes in neighborhoods like Sedgewick Park, which has a median sale price in the low $400s.
If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, La Grange has its own Gold Coast neighborhood. This neighborhood mostly features single-family homes sitting on quarter-acre lots. The median sale price is in the high $600s, but home prices range from the low $500s to the mid $900s.
Getting Around Modern Day La Grange
La Grange is a relatively small Chicago suburb located on just 2.5 square miles, according to the village’s website. The community is located along the BNSF Metra Line that runs directly to Union Station in the West Loop. Resident commuters can hop on the train at the Stone Avenue or La Grange Road stops.
Though no major highways run through the suburb, La Grange isn’t far from I-55 and I-290, both of which will take you directly to the city. Drivers can also skip tolls and highway traffic by taking Ogden Avenue into the city. Public transit is not extensive in the suburbs, but La Grange does have access to a PACE bus route.
When it comes to getting around within the suburb, you’ll find the downtown area (near the two Metra stops) highly walkable.
Shopping and Dining Downtown
Downtown La Grange sits on a six square blocks, according to Chicago Magazine. Within that area, you’ll find plenty of shopping options to meet your after-work errand and weekend browsing needs. Downtown La Grange is home to clothing store Cleo Boutique, antique store Jackson Square Mall, The Urban Mutt for pet owners, and an Anderson’s Bookshop.
When it comes to eating, Downtown La Grange caters to all different kinds of appetites. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Aracely’s Bakery and Tates Old Fashioned Ice Cream. Get sushi at Woow Sushi Lounge or enjoy Italian at La Buona Vita. Indulge in Southern comfort food at Nicksons Eatery, or taste some Indian cuisine at Kama Bistro. In addition to a staple Starbucks, Downtown La Grange also has Owl and Lark, a juice and coffee bar for people who prefer an independent take on coffee.
Entertainment
Like any suburb worth its salt, La Grange has its fair share of beautiful outdoor space. Play the green, go for a swim, or break out the tennis racket at La Grange Country Club. In addition to this upscale take on the outdoors, La Grange also has a large network of public parks. Sedgewick Park, one of the larger options, has a playground, a jogging path, sports fields, basketball courts, and volleyball courts.
La Grange also has a notable cultural footprint. Downtown, you can catch a movie at the La Grange Theatre. The suburb also has an annual craft fair in the summer, its own symphony orchestra, a comedy group, and an art league. Residents can explore their own artistic side by participating in these cultural groups, or they can simply enjoy access to all they offer.