Did you know Western Springs is the hometown of James Young, the guitarist of the rock band Styx? You could also say that this village is the "birth place" of the band as the name was decided after being discovered by a talent scout at St. John of the Cross Church in Western Springs. The band signed up with Wooden Nickel Records and quickly rose to fame. This village also served as the hometown of other famous people such as Melinda Culea, an actress who is best known for playing Amy in the 1980s TV series "The A-Team;" Steve Dahl, a former radio personality; Congressman Dan Lipinski, and many more.
Western Springs is part of Cook County. It is located on the northeastern part of the State of Illinois and is only 14 miles west from downtown Chicago. It has 2.79 square miles of land area with no water area. This village has almost 13,000 residents with a high population density of more than 4,600 people per square mile. This number is much higher compared to the average population density of Illinois of 221 people per square mile, so we hope you like getting cozy with your neighbors! The highest average temperature is around 75 and occurs during July. During the cold season, the lowest average temperature is around 27 and occurs during February. The name Western Springs came from the mineral springs that flowed through the western rim of the Cook County. This spring provided health benefits and attracted many people from all over who sought them. The spring has dried long ago, but the village is still remembered for it. This village has a sister city in the United Kingdom, Rugeley City.
Moving to Western Springs
Almost all of the homes in this village are owner-occupied, and only a few houses are for rent. If this won't make your apartment hunt difficult, the low vacancy rate will. Most homes have an average total of nine rooms with 3-4 bedrooms. Majority of the housing units are single-family detached, but there are a few apartment complexes and townhouses for rent in Western Springs as well. Always bring the basic requirements such as papers for identification, credit checks, references and more. Expect to pay a deposit usually equivalent to first month's rent, as well as first and last month's rent to secure your spot.
Neighborhoods
There are a total of three major urban neighborhoods in Western Springs. Each has its own advantages, so be sure to hunt around a bit if you can before you commit to a spot.
Village Center: If you are planning to rent an apartment in this area, then you better deepen your pockets because it has the highest rent costs compared to its neighbors in the village. The real estate value here is 93 percent higher than the national average. There is a low vacancy rate, with the value being the middle compared to its neighbors. Most of the homes here are medium to large-sized. There are some single-family homes and small apartment buildings as well. The average commute time in this area is between 45-60 minutes for a one-way trip. Grab a bottle of wine at Mecenat Bistro & Wine Store to celebrate moving into your new home!
47th Street / Woodland Avenue: Most of the properties here are medium to large homes, single-family homes and townhouses. The average one-way commute in this area is 30-45 minutes.
Wolf Road / 51st Street: The real estate value here is the lowest in the village but is still 90 percent higher than the national average. It has the lowest, if not zero, vacancy rate as well. Most properties here are single-family and medium to large homes. The average one-way commute in this area is 30-45 minutes. Nearby Snackers Cafe will keep you full and happy in your new neighborhood.
Living in Western Springs
Things to Do
There are so many things to do in Western Springs that you'll always be busy. In the city, you have Spring Rock Park, Springdale Park and Ridgewood Park. For bigger green spaces, La Grange Golf Club, Chicago Highlands Club, Meadowlark Golf Club, Bernis Woods and Salt Creek Woods are all by city limits. If you're looking for something to nosh on, try the pork chop at Mecenat Bistro & Wine Store or the gnocchi at Vie Restaurant. Snackers Cafe offers a breakfast panini that'll be sure to fill you up in the mornings.
Transportation
There are a total of two airports and nine Amtrak train stations within 30 miles of the village center. Most of the people drive their own cars in this village, but there are also many who take public transportation, specifically the railroad. The number of people who take public transportation is 460 percent greater than the Illinois average and 760 percent greater than the national average, which is pretty impressive! The average commute time is around 30-45 minutes for a one-way trip.
Attractions
There are a number of historic places in Western Springs dating back to the 19th Century. The Western Springs Village Club was once known as the "Queen of the Western Suburbs" and has been hosting a variety of events from 1910 until present day. The Garden Club and Water Tower Museums also are treasures of this village. Some other tourist attractions include Spring Rock Park and the Western Springs French Market.
