What do you think of Villa Park? (Elmhurst, Downs: houses, theatre)

[Chummy Waters]

Just out of curiousity, I'd like to get some outsiders p.o.v. of the town. If you live or have lived here, that's fine too. What are the upsides? Downsides? Opinion on the village government? Potential?

[chet everett]

Some of the housing stock is very very solid. Very good value for the quality of construction, size, location. Both current current stuff and that built look ago os often of cpmparable standards of Elmhurst, at a far lower price.

Of course the reason for the reduced price is where the differences are -- Elmhurst is a huge library, art musuem, YMCA, College, York HS (with educational and recreational facilities), park district with large number of offerings including outdoor swimming, shopping, dining, theatre is large downtown... Villa Park is much more limited, but it is also a MUCH smaller town, and with the relative close proximity it is easy to take advantage of stuff "next door". In fact, with the Praire Path, I would guess greater percentage of Villa Park is able to take advantage of that than in Elmhurst, and some would argue that the actual "park" part the PP is better through the VP...

That said they DO have a fairly substantial base of retail that DOES carry some weight for village revenue (though the car dealers are not helping much right now...) and there IS decent Metra service via the Up West line.

Not too many major downsides. Sure the schools could be better, but there are much worse. Sections of low cost / higher density housing (some in adjacent unincorporated area...) are a drag on things, but I disagree with those who'd paint them as sort of hotbed of violence.

Potential? Hmm. Like anything else, if you get a substanstial discount you can do well, but even with the discount my personal prefernce is to shoot for a more discounted house in a better location. Of course that STILL leaves plenty of room to find a discounted property, but the effort /time into improving and getting a BETTER return as long as you are realistic.

[Steve-o]

Villa Park? Yawn. Nothing fancy, nothing bad. Just... there.

[rose125]

My Aunt and Uncle live in VP, it seems nice enough. Where they live it's relativley quiet and the houses are all average- probably built in sometime around the 50's? I want to say that the mall isn't too far, and like someone said above if you can use the facilities from bigger towns like Elmhurst that might be nice!

[ToriaT]

I have some family that has lived in VP for years. Just kind of fair to middling. Much better places to live in my opinion. Not bad but I would rather live in Elmhurst, Downers, or any number of other western suburbs.