Which are the nearest areas to Chicago that have farm land? (Elgin: real estate, houses)

[wheregirl]

Hello, do you know which regions close to Chicago or Evanston that still have farmland and farms?

Thanks

[Tex?Il?]

These days?

To the north:
You really don't see any farms until you get north of Gurnee approaching the Wisconsin border). There are a few farm fields by Abbott Labs headquarters (they own that land I believe) between Libertyville and Waukegan.

The ultra wealthy village of Mettawa (west of Lake Forest) is mostly estates of at least 5 acres, many with horses. A few small estates like that may still exist in Lake Forest itself and possibly even Lincolnshire. There was still farmland owned by the Cuneo estate up until about 8-10 years ago north of Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. And believe it or not there still is A farm in Buffalo Grove!

To the west: You really don't truly get out into the country until you get west of Huntley. Although there still are tracts of farmland west of Randall Rd. west of Elgin. There are still a few undeveloped farmfields in far west Cook County west of 59 (South Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Bartelett).

To the northwest: You still have a fair amount of land around Wauconda/Hawthorn Woods.

Generally these aforementioned areas have exploded in population in the last 10-15 years, but growth has slowed because of the housing market slowdown.

[Tex?Il?]

Someone told me though, there were still a couple farm fields in Skokie as late as the 70s.

[JanuaryGirl]

My family had a farm in Hinsdale (upscale west/south west suburb) till very recently. It was a small family farmed and was used for livestock/harvest until the 80s, after that mostly just land except for a few chickens.

My family had to sell eventually due to the OUTRAGEOUS property taxes. It was in an unicorporated area that began developing rapidly, and there is no way a farm could ever pay for those taxes. A shame, because my family had owned since the 40s. I imagine you will not find many farms around for the tax reason.

There is still SOME land down there, but very small tracts that will sell for a lot of money (since most people purchasing just want to build large homes)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by DNaomi

My family had a farm in Hinsdale (upscale west/south west suburb) till very recently.

So your family is now wealthy, right?

[JanuaryGirl]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

So your family is now wealthy, right?

Not exactly. My grandpa sold it, he doesn't trust real estate agents, went through a "family friend" and sold it to a "family friend" and pretty much got hosed. Let's put it this way, 12 acres sold for far less than most houses in the area that sit on .5 acres.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by DNaomi

Not exactly. My grandpa sold it, he doesn't trust real estate agents, went through a "family friend" and sold it to a "family friend" and pretty much got hosed. Let's put it this way, 12 acres sold for far less than most houses in the area that sit on .5 acres.

Oh man, too bad! I'll bet the value of that land today is astronomical!

[wheregirl]

Thank you so much.

Also, how about to the south and southwest? Are those areas unsafe? When do you start to see farms there?

Is it warmer in the southern or southwestern areas?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

These days?

To the north:
You really don't see any farms until you get north of Gurnee approaching the Wisconsin border). There are a few farm fields by Abbott Labs headquarters (they own that land I believe) between Libertyville and Waukegan.

The ultra wealthy village of Mettawa (west of Lake Forest) is mostly estates of at least 5 acres, many with horses. A few small estates like that may still exist in Lake Forest itself and possibly even Lincolnshire. There was still farmland owned by the Cuneo estate up until about 8-10 years ago north of Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. And believe it or not there still is A farm in Buffalo Grove!

To the west: You really don't truly get out into the country until you get west of Huntley. Although there still are tracts of farmland west of Randall Rd. west of Elgin. There are still a few undeveloped farmfields in far west Cook County west of 59 (South Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Bartelett).

To the northwest: You still have a fair amount of land around Wauconda/Hawthorn Woods.

Generally these aforementioned areas have exploded in population in the last 10-15 years, but growth has slowed because of the housing market slowdown.

[domergurl]

Still farmland in NW Indiana ....

[wheregirl]

Thanks. Which area of NW IN? Any near Lake M? Which is the closest area to Chicago with farmland that is safe in IN?

Originally Posted by domergurl

Still farmland in NW Indiana ....