University Park didn't become a real community until the late 1960s when developers set out to build a whole new town!
University Park is a village in Will County, Illinois with a population of 7,129
University Park didn't become a real community until the late 1960s when developers set out to build a whole new town!
University Park is a village in Will County, Illinois with a population of 7,129. It is one of the area's few planned communities and was originally known as Wood Hill and then as Park Forest South before the village finally settled on University Park. It sits just outside Chicago and many people use it as a bedroom community while they commute into work in the Windy City. It takes up about 10.8 square miles on the map and they are continuing to develop all of the space in order to make it an even greater place to live! It's located right off of I-57, which can get you into Chicago or downstate in Illinois super easily. The village has plans in the works for more open space, bikeways, parks and more, and is a perfect time for potential new residents to hunt for rental properties in University Park.
If you're looking to find an apartment for rent in University Park, you should have no trouble with your search! There are an abundance of medium sized to large single-family homes and small apartment buildings with one bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom apartments. Nearly half of the units here are rentals so you'll have a wide selection to choose from. Not only that, but there is also an above average vacancy rate so get ready to pick through your choice of homes! Rental prices are on the high side, however, so make sure to plan accordingly before you get here.
Deciding On an Apartment
Because you'll have such a great choice of apartments, you'll want to narrow down your search by thinking about what characteristics are important to you in your next apartment rental. Some people want to have a big single-family home in a quiet subdivision while others prefer the commotion of an apartment complex with neighbors in close proximity. Consider which part of town you're interested in living in. If you need easy access to I-57, you might want to choose a place near the highway on-ramp. Alternatively, if you prefer being close to a grocery store or shopping area, you can try to find something that's even within walking distance.
When to Look
One thing to consider about University Park is that northern Illinois does have cold, snowy winters! You might want to plan your apartment hunt for the warmer months when you don't have to trek around in the snow. You might also want to find an apartment with a covered garage if you have a car so you don't have to dig it out of the snow all winter long. One great thing about University Park is that all of the homes and apartment buildings were built in the past 30 or 40 years so you don't have to worry about the creaks and cracks of old homes.
Starting Your Search
When you're getting ready to move to University Park, take some time to familiarize yourself with the area and the different neighborhoods. You don't want to move into a place only to discover that it's clear across town from the places you spend the most time in. If you're planning to commute to Chicago for work, you might want to do a practice commute to make sure you're okay with the route and traffic, etc. Once you've figured out what type of apartment you're interested in, you can start contacting realtors to find out what is available. You can also do some hunting on your own. Set up appointments with landlords to have a viewing of different places and make sure to see a wide array before settling on one. This will give you a better idea of what the options are in your price range.
What to Bring
When you head out to meet with a new landlord, make sure to bring along the documents you need to rent a place. This means you need to make a copy of your ID, your credit report, bank statements, pay stubs, letter of employment, references, etc. Gather it all in a neat little folder so you can pass it along to your landlord if you're interested in renting a place. It will help him or her get the ball rolling on your rental application. Your landlord will probably require a security deposit and one month's rent up front, but be sure to ask what the requirements are so you can plan accordingly. You can bring your checkbook along to your appointments, too, in case you want to write a deposit check right there on the spot!
University Park has two distinct neighborhoods with different features. Here's a little more information about each of them.
Village Center: This area runs along I-57 on the west side of town. It's where you'll find a lot of shops and restaurants, like Max's Red Hots and Marilyn's Family Restaurant, as well as small subdivisions with mostly single family homes.
Governors State/University Parkway: This is a small neighborhood on the east side of town that's close to the Deer Creek Golf Course. There are more small apartment buildings on this side of town.
University Park was founded as a planned community and the developers had quality of life in mind while they designed the village. It has a championship golf course where you can fit a healthy round of golf into your day. There's also a 30-acre lake that makes a great place for relaxing in the sunshine or swimming or fishing. If you don't like lake swimming, you can head to the community pool. There is a wide range of housing options and plenty of beautiful hiking and jogging trails to give you a way to explore the community. Plus, it's only 30 miles south of Chicago! The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is a favorite of residents and there are great restaurants like Cliff & Tommy's and Sicilian Joe's Pizzeria scattered throughout town! If you're looking to knock back a drink or two, stop by Twin Liquors, Mulligan's Pub or Throw Back Bar & Grill!
