Vernon Hills, IL 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Vernon Hills is a Chicagoland suburb with a close-knit community and a family-oriented culture. The suburb offers everything from entertainment and affordable costs while still being close enough to Chicago for big city amenities. The amenities, location, and recreational options make 55+ communities in Vernon Hill a popular choice f0r homebuyers.

Climate and Geography

Vernon Hills climate is diverse, with all four seasons, and experiences an average of 38 inches of snow and 35 inches of rain per year with temperatures dropping below 20 degrees in the winter and summers in the mid 80s.

Located in Lake County, Vernon Hills is primarily surrounded by flatland and suburban neighborhoods. The county also has access to many lakes, including Lake Michigan, and natural areas like Lake County Forest Preserves, Illinois Beach State Park or  Ryerson Conservation Area.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment

Some of the top attractions in Vernon Hills include Cuneo Museum and Gardens, Hawthorn Mall, Glacier Ice Arena, Vernon Hills Aquatic Center, White Deer Run Golf Club, Vernon Hills Golf Course, to name a few. Residents who enjoy outdoor recreation can visit Illinois Beach State Park, North Point Marina, Volo Bog State Natural Area, and Chain O Lakes State Park.

The community also has a senior center which offers amenities like a library, computers with internet capability, pool tables, television, meeting place, and a kitchen. Furthermore, members of the senior center can enjoy regular bridge, pinochle, and Mahjong games, movie screenings, dancing, fitness groups, bingo, and book clubs.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Vernon Hills is higher than the national and state average with housing being the driving factor for this. Other factors like utilities, transportation, and groceries are all below the state and national averages.

Illinois does not tax Social Security benefits, and income from retirement plans is generally exempt including qualified employment benefits like 401(k)s, pensions, government retirement plans, IRAs, and military pensions. Furthermore, homeowners who are 65+ are eligible for the homestead exemption that can be up to $5,000. Homeowners that make less than $65,000 can have their property assessed value frozen or can defer property tax payments.

Health Care

55+ community residents in Vernon Hills have a wide variety of options for health care. Over 40 hospitals serve the Vernon Hills area, among them high performing and nationally ranked hospitals such as Advocate Condell Medical Center, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Northwest Community Hospital, Presence St. Francis Hospital, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Advocate Sherman Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital, AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin, and Loyola Medicine Gottlieb Memorial Hospital.