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What You’ll Gain From Reading This Article: Gain insights into ideal communities in Illinois for snowbirds, including detailed descriptions of amenities, home styles, price ranges, and low-maintenance living options.
For decades (even a century) active adults living in the Midwest or Northeast have traveled south for the winter. Whether the destination is Florida, Texas, or the Carolinas, retirees migrate with the birds for a sunny and warm winter. That’s why they’re called snowbirds!
No matter where you’re going for the winter, if you’re hoping to keep a home up north near family and friends, it must meet certain requirements. Affordability is key as well as low maintenance and knowing someone is taking care of the house during the harsher months.
If you’re a snowbird fleeing Illinois in the winter, here are a few communities that meet those requirements.
Saddlebrook Farms – Grayslake, IL
Mid $100ks – Low $300ks
Saddlebrook Farms is a 55+ community about an hour northwest of Chicago. This community features 2,000 single-family homes and over 20 floor plans. These ranch-style homes range from 1,169 to 2,516 square feet and offer front porches as well as two-car garages.
A historic cabin on a lake serves as the community clubhouse. The cabin features several multipurpose rooms, and over 100 acres of lakes that add to the beauty of this community. Along with the miles of walking trails, there are also bocce courts and horseshoe pits for residents to enjoy. Additionally, Saddlebrook Farms features RV and boat parking, ideal for the snowbird driving to their winter home.
Leisure Village – Fox Lake, IL
Low $100ks – High $100ks
Leisure Village is a long-standing 55+ community in Fox Lake. Construction was completed in 1980, and the community features 360 attached low-maintenance homes. Also, homebuyers have 13 floor plans to choose from, ranging from 755 to 1,705 square feet.
Leisure Hall is the social and recreational hub of the community. The Hall features an exercise room, an arts and crafts room, as well as a lecture hall. Outdoors, residents can swim a lap in an Olympic-size swimming pool or work on their short game at the 9-hole golf course in the community. There are several sports courts for tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard, and bocce as well as a few horseshoe pits. There are also two private lakes available for residents.
Lake Barrington Shores – Barrington, IL
High $200ks – High $500ks
Lake Barrington Shores is an active adult community about 40 minutes outside of Chicago. This community features 1,317 attached homes available for resale only. Also, these low-maintenance homes range from about 933 to 4,600 square feet and offer one to four bedrooms, one to four bathrooms, and one- or two-car garages.
The Lodge at the Shores is the community clubhouse. It features a 24-hour fitness center, an indoor pool, billiards, and an indoor patio. Outdoors, there’s another pool, running trails, and a volleyball court. The community also has a lake for boating and several boat slips. Residents can purchase a membership to nearby Lake Barrington Shores Country Club at a reduced rate.
Carillon at Cambridge Lakes – Pingree Grove, IL
High $200ks – Low $400ks
Carillon at Cambridge Lakes is an active adult community about 45 miles northwest of Downtown Chicago. This community features 943 attached and single-family homes. Prospective homeowners can choose from 10 single-family, four duplex, as well as four townhome floor plans.
The duplexes and townhomes are ideal for snowbirds—the homeowners’ association (HOA) takes care of all the maintenance. Also, the clubhouse features a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a ballroom. Tennis courts, bocce courts, and a 3-hole golf course add to the amenities outdoors.
Carillon – Plainfield, IL
Low $200ks – High $300ks
Carillon is an active adult community about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. Carillon has over 30 floor plans available in condos, coach homes, single-family, and attached homes. Also, all homes are low-maintenance with an HOA to take care of lawn care, snow removal, and exterior maintenance.
Additionally, Carillon has a plethora of indoor and outdoor amenities. Club Carillon includes an indoor pool and spa as well as a fitness center with an aerobics and dance studio. There’s also a ballroom that hosts community events, parties, and theatrical productions. Outside the clubhouse, there are shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, and bocce and tennis courts. In addition to the indoor pool, there are two pools outside as well.
Ready to Buy a Home in Illinois? 55places Can Help!
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