Northern Illinois residents know that they don’t have to live in downtown Chicago to enjoy everything the city has to offer. Almost all of the surrounding suburbs provide convenient access to The Windy City, but with a more comfortable and convenient suburban lifestyle.
Although the suburbs feature dozens of 55+ active adult communities, there are also neighborhoods without age restrictions that still offer some of the most desirable features of age-restricted developments. Whether it’s low-maintenance homes, the opportunity to downsize, or abundant amenities, plenty of all-ages communities include these components and more.
Keep reading to explore four of the best communities in Illinois without age restrictions.
Lake Barrington Shores – Barrington, IL
High $100s – Mid $500s
Many features of Lake Barrington Shores in Barrington appeal to active adult homebuyers who want to live northwest of Chicago. The amenities, which center around a private lodge, match those offered at many 55+ communities.
At The Lodge at The Shores, residents can make use of a fitness center, a billiards room, a banquet hall, and multipurpose spaces. Outdoors, they can enjoy a pool, a patio, and courts for basketball, tennis, volleyball, and bocce. The grounds also have parks, natural areas, and trails.
A private marina on the shores of Lake Barrington allows residents to boat, canoe, kayak, swim, and sunbathe with ease. The adjacent Lake Barrington Shores Country Club offers an 18-hole golf course with reduced rates for residents.
The community consists of 1,317 attached homes that range from 933 to 4,600 square feet with one to four bedrooms, one to four bathrooms, and attached one- or two-car garages. Some homes feature finished or unfinished basements, but regardless of this, most include first-floor master suites for one-level living.
Conveniently located near Interstates 90 and 94, the community is less than 30 minutes away from Schaumburg, Elgin, and Fox Lake. Those who want to travel can reach O’Hare International Airport in about 45 minutes.
Request more information about Lake Barrington Shores.
The Lakes of Boulder Ridge – Lake In The Hills, IL
Mid $300s – High $600s
Located within the master-planned golf community of Boulder Ridge, The Lakes of Boulder Ridge offers a more secluded neighborhood of 242 single-family and attached homes. This community boasts freedom and plenty of customization options when it comes to amenities and homes for sale.
Residents of The Lakes of Boulder Ridge have several membership options to access the community amenities. The range of memberships allows residents to determine how much or how frequently they want to access their preferred amenities. This creates a degree of flexibility for those who work or travel often and may not have as much time to use the amenities extensively.
The Boulder Ridge Country Club includes 65,000 square feet of amenities including a fitness center with locker rooms, a golf shop, meeting and multipurpose rooms, and an on-site restaurant. Outdoor features include a pool, a spa, tennis courts, a 27-hole golf course, and walking trails.
The attached duplex and single-family homes range from 1,710 to 2,254 square feet with two to three bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Many homes feature dens, screened-in porches, finished basements, and master suites. This allows active adults to downsize into a home that better suits their lifestyle.
Request more information about The Lakes of Boulder Ridge.
Maples at the Sonatas – Woodstock, IL
High $100s – High $200s
Maples at the Sonatas in Woodstock offers residents one of the most popular features of active adult communities: a low-maintenance lifestyle. The homeowners’ association (HOA) takes care of exterior home maintenance, lawn care, and snow removal, which gives residents more free time and less stress over household chores.
The floor plans, designed by Epcon Communities, offer both attached and single-family homes. The attached homes range from 1,325 to 1,926 square feet, while the single-family homes range from 1,516 to 2,873 square feet. With both new and resale homes available, residents can choose the home they want with the space they need.
The 3,000-square-foot clubhouse consists of an exercise room, a catering kitchen, multipurpose rooms, and hobby and game rooms. At the clubhouse, residents like to gather for social events like football parties, poolside gatherings, coffee and conversation, and holiday parties.
The surrounding area provides easy access to some of Northern Illinois’ best outdoor recreation. Nearby parks include Moraine Hills State Park, Spring Lake Forest Preserve, and Brunner Family Forest Preserve.
Residents can also access the Fox River within five miles, which leads to the chain of lakes that includes Fox Lake and Piskatee Lake. Locals love these lakes for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Request more information about Maples at the Sonatas.
Wentworth – Gurnee, IL
Low $300s – High $300s
With just 73 single-family homes, Wentworth is an exclusive new construction community in Gurnee. Builder D.R. Horton, known for its active adult communities, began construction of the neighborhood in 2016.
The desirable new homes come in six luxury floor plans that range from 1,664 to 2,162 square feet. The floor plans consist of two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages.
Although designed for one-level living, homebuyers can choose to add second-floor bonus rooms or basements. Many homes boast open floor plans, elegant master suites, gourmet kitchens, and spacious flex rooms.
The surrounding area offers plenty of entertainment options, such as Six Flags Great America and Gurnee Mills Mall. Just 10 miles away, Illinois State Beach Park offers over 4,000 acres for camping, biking, fishing, boating, and swimming along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Some of the area’s best golf courses include Heather Ridge Golf Course, Bittersweet Golf Club, and Merit Club. Residents can reach Kenosha, Wisconsin in about 30 minutes and downtown Chicago in about an hour.
