If you’re new to the area and looking for a wonderful neighborhood to raise a family in the Chicago suburbs, Naperville should be very high on your list. Located 33 miles west of downtown Chicago, Naperville is the fifth-largest city in Illinois. Most of the city is in DuPage County, with a southern portion falling in Will County. Many residents in Naperville work in the surrounding area, which is part of the Illinois Research and Technology Corridor that extends along Interstate 88 primarily in DuPage and Kane counties. Naperville is within commuting distance to Chicago as well. While the morning drive to downtown Chicago takes about 40 to 60 minutes, Naperville residents can reach Union Station in as fast as 33 minutes on the Metra commuter rail.

With a 2016 estimated population of about 147,000, Naperville has seen dramatic population growth since the 1980s. Let’s take a look at why Naperville is a great place for families to call home.

Family-Focused Amenities

Naperville has consistently been ranked as one of the top communities for families, both statewide and nationally. Money magazine has named Naperville as one of the best places to live in the United States as far back as 2006, and its 2016 Money magazine ranking is number 10. Livability.com included Naperville on its Top 100 Best Places to Live list in 2017 and on its 10 Best Cities for Families in 2015.

Naperville’s focus on family amenities, education, safety, and community development is a chief factor in why the community wins so many livability awards. Homes in Naperville come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are smaller, older homes with great character nestled between newer houses. The city itself offers abundant charm, with a constant flow of families going about their day. This is the kind of place where neighbors get to know each other at such gathering places as the Riverwalk, Centennial Beach, and Naperville’s historic downtown district.

For families with children, Naperville prides itself on a parks system that encompasses over 2,400 acres. The Naperville Park District offers 137 parks and recreational facilities, including numerous playgrounds, inline skating and skateboarding facilities, and a wide range of recreational and arts programs.

High-Performing Schools 

Naperville has two excellent public school systems, Community Unit School System 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204. Both are highly rated with exceptional programs. For Naperville as a whole, average scores on the Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT) and the ACT and SAT college entrance examinations rank among the highest in the state and in the nation. Graduation rates for both districts outpace state and national averages.

Naperville is also home to several institutions of higher education, including North Central College and satellite campuses for such schools as Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois, College of DuPage, and DePaul University. Not every Chicago suburb can claim this distinction, which offers opportunities for both college students and adults pursuing continuing education.

Community Attractions and Events

Naperville offers some of the best attractions and events in the western suburbs. There’s Naper Settlement, an outdoor museum dedicated to showcasing the history of the area while maintaining original and restored structures from the past. Naperville is also home to the Riverwalk, which stretches nearly 2 miles along the DuPage River and features walkways, bridges, fountains, event venues, outdoor sculpture, and community art. Living in Naperville means being closest to some of the most popular annual events and festivals in the Chicago suburbs—like Ribfest and the Naperville Wine Festival.

How to Learn More About Naperville Homes for Sale

Our Naperville Guide has everything you need to learn more about Naperville homes for sale. It’s got a market trends report with such data as number of homes for sale and average sales price. You can browse Naperville homes for sale and explore videos on Naperville subdivisions and community amenities like shops, restaurants, and schools. Just click on the link below or contact our Naperville office to get started.