Chicago Area 55+ Retirement Communities

While the idea of building a retirement community around Chicago originally sounded like a strange idea, some developers recognized the need for active retirement communities in Chicago and set out to popularize the concept that had taken hold in the South. Realizing that there was a large population of people 55+ who wanted the lifestyle and amenities of an active retirement community without having to pick up and move to a southern state, Carillon in Plainfield opened in the late 1980s. Now there are over 40 active adult communities in the Chicago area.

Those looking to spend their retirement years near family and friends in the Midwest will enjoy the variety of community sizes, home options, and home prices. Most of the active adult communities in Chicago range from 100 to 5,400 homes and offer a variety of clubs, interest groups, classes, events and social opportunities to appeal to almost anyone over the age of 55. Active adult homebuyers are drawn to Illinois age-restricted communities near Chicago because they live in quiet areas without having to travel far for entertainment, recreation, and culture.

Climate & Geography

Geographically speaking, the Chicago area lies within the Chicago Plain, a flat and broad area. There are few hills and Lake Michigan makes up the eastern border. Active adult communities near Chicago are found near Arlington Heights, Aurora, Bolingbrook, DeKalb, Des Plaines, Elgin, Evanston, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Oak Park, Tinley Park, Schaumburg, Skokie, Waukegan and Wheaton.

Age-restricted communities near Chicago experience a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. It s wet in the spring, hot and humid throughout the summer, cold during the winter, and pleasant throughout the fall.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

Named the Best Sports City by Sporting News, Chicago is home to many major league sports teams including the Bulls (NBA), Sky (WNBA), Cubs and White Sox (MLB), Bears (NFL), Blackhawks (NHL), and Fire (MLS). The Chicagoland Speedway hosts NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar Series races as well.

The city of Chicago offers endless opportunities for recreation, culture, and entertainment. It s home to a variety of cuisines including some that are very laid-back as well as fine dining restaurants. There are dozens of museums, art galleries, and tourist attractions. Popular entertainment venues like the Chicago Theatre, Navy Pier and Millennium Park host concerts and events throughout the year.

Naperville is a popular Chicago suburb that offers great options for nightlife, dining, and entertainment as well. Whether checking out one of historic buildings, strolling the charming Riverwalk, or attending an event at the Wentz Concert Hall & Fine Arts Center, Naperville offers even more entertainment for Chicago area active adults outside of the congestion of the big city. Additionally, state parks, lakes, and trails are found all throughout Northern Illinois and offer limitless options for outdoor adventurers.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Like most metropolitan areas, the cost of living closer to Chicago is higher than other Illinois regions. However, the cost of living in the state is about average with the nation. Income tax is collected at a flat rate of 5% and the sales tax average is about 6.5%. Property tax is collected at a local level based on county, township, municipality, school district, and other special districts.

Healthcare

There are 119 hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area. Active adult communities near Chicago have access to quality healthcare. There are 36 hospitals that have been ranked for high performance and ten of which are nationally ranked. The physician to patient ratio is higher than the national average as well.