Neighborhoods in Libertyville (Lake Forest, Green Oaks, Wadsworth: houses, buyers, elementary school)

[LuckyStone]

I am looking for some insight the different neighborhoods in Libertyville: Heritage area vs Butler Lake vs living out near 137 in Huntington Lakes or Wineberry areas. Appreciate any info.

[IbeDavid]

I cant help you with these specific developments, but, i lived next to Libertyville for some 25 years. Its a very nice area, good schools, good investment if you can afford the property taxes. Its not too snooty , convenient to Malls , etc...and major highways. Stay off of Route 21 between 4-6 pm as traffic gets backed up big time.

[chet everett]

The appreciation has been very good over the last decade for all parts of Libertyville, I think it may have been highest in the the "Heritage area", but it is hard to say as the homes with only two bedrooms were probably torn down or greatly enhanced. When you look at the areas out by 137 those homes started bigger. If the place was "over improved" it may not hold value -- there are plenty of folks that prefer an all new subdivision like in Green Oaks...

Really has to be a personal choice. If you prefer a more "planned" community those in Libertyville are probably older than the super new Mcmansions in west Lake Forest or Wadsworth. Individual homes might have upgraded kitchens or baths, or they might have some stuff that is from the builder's economy package. Homes that look very similar from the street might have a lot of upgrades that really do appeal to buyers. Butler Lake is right up against the HS and that is not as desriable in the same way that an elementary school is -- lots more weekend actvity and M-F car parking, and the 16-18 year olds are not cute like little kids on a plaground.

[LuckyStone]

I don't really want a "cookie cutter" new development, so I guess that rules out areas near 137. Can you tell me if there are socioeconomic differences between the different areas near downtown Libertyville? For example, West of Milwaukee Ave. vs East of Milwaukee Ave.?

[chet everett]

East of Milwaukee & North of 176 used to be pretty rough, there were industrial sites and "rooming house" type places that took in borders even as recently as the '90s, but with redevelopement, that is mostly gone except for a few die hard land lords and the industry is east of 6th except for pocket right along the tracks.

West of Milwaukee things have always been more residential. With the teardown and renovations there are some VERY high dollar houses.

Funny thing is there are some almost "secret" pockets of houses on both sides that are out of character with their surroundings -- east there are some totally custom houses around the "lake: {it is really an old sand/gravel quarry and the old timers still it that instead of "Lake Minear"..} south, near "old rockland" there are some homes that are "magazine quality" nestled just a lot or two from some very modest 'worker's cottages" that have not yet been teardowns. West is the opposite -- mostly solid houses with an odd out cropping or two of some funky places that may have been tossed up back in an slow down during the Korean War or something -- those are prime targets for teardowns or serious rehab.

Not all the developments along 137 are new, and some are not cookie cutter at all, it just that there is not much connection the "core" of town along Milwaukee, as the RR tracks were a barrier for a long time...

[LuckyStone]

Thanks so much, that was the best description of the area I've gotten!