Thoughts on Orland Park?

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Chiguy1957

...to me is the quintessential example of suburban sprawl. There's virtually no walkablity, spotty public transportation, and a car is an absolute necessity. Not exactly my cuppa, but to each their own.

OP's mega-growth spurt started in the late 70s with the building of Orland Square, but really exploded through the 80s and 90s, which also helped it become something of a white-flight community. White people were leaving the SW side Chicago neighborhoods of Gage Park, Marquette Park, and Ashburn in droves and skipped right past the traditional landing point of Oak Lawn and went out to Orland, Lemont, Frankfort, and Mokena.

That said, most of the homes out there are really quite nice. Orland has grown into an upper-middle 'burb, Sandburg has turned into a top-notch high school, and there is probably more retail, fast food, faux boutique mall restaurants, and car dealerships than anywhere in the entire SW region. It offers a nice setting for those looking for a lifestyle that is distinctly suburban.

I've got old ties to OP and remember it when it was nothing more than a wide spot in the road. Sandburg HS, Kirk's Drive-In, and a small, working-class bedroom community of modest ranch homes were the only things out there.

Then came Ishnala, which I think may have been the first upscale sub-division in that area. Then came Orland Square, which used to be visible for miles in every direction, and then all development hell broke loose and Orland became what it is today.

You forgot to add that since Mc Laughlin got in office after Fred Owens passed away, he (Mc Laughlin) pretty much vowed that no homes would be built in the town anymore that were under about $500K for a single family and about $300K for a townhome, and much to my surprise he has done exactly that by producing hoods such as Silo Ridge, Spring Creek Estates, Deer Creek Estates, and so many more that I cannot even name them all.

More about Orland...Orland is very much divided in two, where areas to the east of 10400 W would be more "normal" homes (tri-levels, three step ranches, and ranches) then west of 10400 W would be just mega houses consiting of in home swimming pools, movie theaters, 4 car garages, 4-8 bedrooms, 4-8 baths, basically just rediculos homes that look more like hotels than anything, but I have to admit they are something to look at. Especially in Silo Ridge.

[Chiguy1957]

Interesting, NY. I don't get out that way too often since I'm at the oppostie end of town.
A year or two ago I had to take a family member to an audiologist at 159th & The-Edge-of-the-Earth. I was totally amazed at how built up and schmancy it was so far west. I used to think of anything south of 167th as "downstate" and anything west of LaGrange Road as Iowa. Not so true anymore, eh?

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Chiguy1957

Interesting, NY. I don't get out that way too often since I'm at the oppostie end of town.
A year or two ago I had to take a family member to an audiologist at 159th & The-Edge-of-the-Earth. I was totally amazed at how built up and schmancy it was so far west. I used to think of anything south of 167th as "downstate" and anything west of LaGrange Road as Iowa. Not so true anymore, eh?

LOL afraid not. That is the next little Oak Brook going in out there now.

[cmoscinski]

Orland is a great area ! Booming with retail, great schools and very nice people. More info here: Orland Park, Illinois - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Oobie119]

My husband and I moved to FL from Orland Park. We loved it. We were in a very congested area (159th & Harlem) though, and we hated the Chicago weather. Look a bit further west in Orland, say 143rd and Wolf Rd. There are some great areas west of Wolf Rd that have great schools. You still have easy access to Lagrange too. It's actually unincorporated Orland. Going further south towards Mokena is an option too. We were looking to move to Monee to get away from that city feel. Hope this helps..

[Love Cobb]

We did lots of shopping in Orland Square back in the 70's, didn't know anything about the neighborhood as a kid other than it was all white back then. Maybe I'll go visit the mall on my next visit and venture into the area this time since I'm almost 50 (smile)!

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Love Cobb

We did lots of shopping in Orland Square back in the 70's, didn't know anything about the neighborhood as a kid other than it was all white back then. Maybe I'll go visit the mall on my next visit and venture into the area this time since I'm almost 50 (smile)!

It still is pretty much all white. Just now it is loaded with the "well to do" whites. The banks on nearly every major street corner should give that away.

[Jredrum]

I hate the traffic.

Lots of things to do around there, but i stay away..mainly from the traffic.

There also seem to be a lot of self righteous people there from my personal experiences.

I've never lived there but worked in Homer Glen for a bit and went to Orland a lot.