Last Updated on July 31, 2024 by Kari-Ann Ryan
A small suburb like Elk Grove Village offers its residents a range of lifestyle benefits. While a suburb with a population of 33,127 is attractive to many individuals, potential drawbacks should be evaluated, too. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
Elk Grove Village was named for the numerous native elk that roamed the grasslands in the early 1800s. Pioneer New England farmers settled here in 1834. The rural community began to thrive by 1848 with the settlement of German-immigrant farmers.
A military transport manufacturing plant was built in the Village during World War II. After the war, the location became the home of the nation’s busiest airport, O’Hare International Airport. Since the 1950s, the Village has remained in close proximity to air, rail and major highways.
1. Transportation
Pros
Elk Grove Village sits 20 miles outside of the principal city of Chicago. The driving distance from the Village to Chicago is 24 miles. Individuals who cruise the highway at an average speed of 70 miles per hour will reach the city within 20 minutes.
Living in Elk Grove Village offers benefits to individuals who work in Chicago. Residents of Elk Grove Village who find employment in the city can quickly access the highway for the commute. Depending on traffic and time of commute, the drive can seem either short or lengthy.
Another advantage of living in Elk Grove Village is the suburb’s close proximity to O’Hare Airport. Frequent travelers need to travel only 3.83 miles in the northwest direction to reach O’Hare from the Village. Driving nonstop, it takes just 18 minutes to reach O’Hare.
Given Elk Grove Village’s booming business community, many residents may develop a career within the confines of the suburb. Currently, the Village boasts of 5,600 firms and service organizations. The Elk Grove Village Business Park draws approximately 100,000 commuters for work opportunities.
Cons
A drawback of living in a suburb, like Elk Grove Village, is that residents must own a vehicle to drive to work in the city or to get around the local area. Owning a car comes with regular expenditures, like gas, insurance and maintenance.
2. Safety
Pros
The crime rate in Elk Grove Village is average in comparison to US towns and cities. The overall crime rate is 15 per 1,000 residents. Based on analyses of FBI crime data, an Elk Grove Village resident has a 1 in 66 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.
Cons
While the crime index reports that Elk Grove Village is safer than 40 percent of US cities, crimes still occur. Annually, 30 violent crimes, from robbery to assault, are committed in the Village. Property crimes, including theft, burglary and motor vehicle theft, average 462 per year.
3. Schools
Pros
Families with young children have access to good schools in Elk Grove Village. Two public school districts are in this suburb as well as two private elementary schools that also provide students with a junior high education. High school students attend one of two public schools in the area.
Professionals who aim to go back to school to complete a degree may do so at any of Elk Grove Village’s local colleges and universities. An area community college offers two-year degrees and technical degrees. The Village is also home to a university’s satellite campus, which offers an MBA program.
Cons
Although students receive a better-quality education in the suburbs than in overcrowded and underfunded city schools, families will pay more in property taxes. Illinois annually collects $30 billion in property taxes, relying on the funds to cover elementary, secondary, and college education expenses.
4. Affordability
Pros
Buying a home in a suburb, like Elk Grove Village, is far less expensive than purchasing a property in a metropolitan city. Families that prefer ample space will be drawn to suburban living, which offers more physical space with less financial burden.
At 73 percent, the majority of Elk Grove Village residents own their homes. The average home value is $271,900 with an annual home appreciation of 2.4 percent in the last ten years. Approximately 27 percent of residents opt to rent. The median rent in the Village is $1,238.
Cons
While buying a property is generally less costly in the suburbs, the cost of living in Elk Grove Village is 27 percent higher than the national average. Grocery prices in the Village are eight percent higher than the national average. Healthcare is one percent higher than the national average.
Choose a Reliable Moving Company
When you aim to move to a community that offers good schools, ample space, and easy access to the airport, consider Elk Grove Village. Choosing to move here is just the start. Mid-West Moving & Storage, with its quality residential moving services, will bring your dream full circle.
Mid-West Moving & Storage crews are licensed, bonded and background checked, so your valuable possessions will be securely handled at all phases of the move. You can also be assured of careful handling. We protect all furniture and possessions with padding and stretch-wrapping.
You will be assigned a friendly move counselor, who will assist you with the move from the initial planning stage to the final delivery of goods. Our moving specialist will keep you informed of each step of the move. We’ll even help create a layout for furniture and appliances.
Our reputable local moving company has successfully moved countless individuals and families to and from homes, condos, retirement homes, apartments, and dorms. Those who require packing and unpacking services or short- or long-term storage can rely on us to fulfill those needs.
For nearly 40 years, Mid-West Moving & Storage has successfully relocated families in Chicagoland. Our affordable services and professional handling of items have consistently earned us high ratings.
Get a Free Estimate
When you plan to move locally, contact the trusted Chicago movers at Mid-West Moving & Storage at (847) 593-7201. We proudly provide free estimates.