Wauconda is a world record holder! Yes, that's right. In January 2005, more than 3,000 record setters came together to throw balls of snow at each other for ten minutes, making it the biggest snowball fight ever on record! Now that's something to be proud of!
If all of those participants came from the city itself, that would represent a large portion of the population
Wauconda is a world record holder! Yes, that's right. In January 2005, more than 3,000 record setters came together to throw balls of snow at each other for ten minutes, making it the biggest snowball fight ever on record! Now that's something to be proud of!
If all of those participants came from the city itself, that would represent a large portion of the population. There are 13,603 people living in Wauconda according to the latest census in 2010, residing in roughly 5,000 homes. The city sits in the larger Chicagoland area, roughly 30 miles from the center of the city itself, and is found in Lake County, Illinois. There are lots of lakes in the region as you'd expect, with Wauconda's own personal lake being Bangs Lake, which dominates the local area and is a huge centerpoint for social and recreational engagements for the locals. Wauconda is known as a thriving business community and has its own unique blend of industry, retail outlets and service providers.
Are you interested in moving to Wauconda for good? Well, you may have made a pretty good choice then. The city is certainly on the up, with great amenities, beautiful surroundings and close proximity to Chicago to the south and a variety of transportation routes in every direction. Here are some things to remember if you're thinking of coming to the area.
Think about your commute
It's possible that you'll be working in Chicago or one of its suburbs, so consider how long it will take to commute in each day. Average commuting times in Wauconda are over 30 minutes, which is way over the national average. Why? Because the numbers are inflated by all those who do take the trip down Route 12. It's always a good idea to test drive your commute time before deciding to settle in a particular area.
What housing do you want?
It's important to know what's available in the city, right? Are you after rental apartments with one bedroom? Are you looking for rental houses that can accommodate your entire family? Rent isn't huge, but it's not cheap either, and the vacancy rate is pretty low, too. It's certainly a competitive housing market, so you're going to have to get in there quick.
Come armed and ready to do battle
Finding a good place to live is like fighting a war, with multiple little engagements. You often see dozens of places and none of them quite fit your needs. Then, when you find somewhere perfect, some other desperate house hunter jumps in front of you in the line and takes the place from under your nose. Not fun. Don't let this happen and arm yourself with everything you'll need to lock down any property right there and then. We're talking proof of income and employment, references from previous places you've lived and a nice fat deposit. It's important to be proactive, or you might just end up having to settle when that sneaky gentleman from Chicago pulls the rug from under your feet and snaps up your dream place.
It's all well and good speculating as to what you want and where you might want to live, but nothing can beat getting out there and taking a look for yourself. Don't just let your realtor start dragging you around town to all corners of the city when you have your heart set on a specific area. There are only three neighborhoods in Wauconda. Let's take a look at them briefly.
Village Center: If you're going to commute to Chicago, you won't find a better area to live than here. It's to the south of Bangs River, and Route 12 cuts right through it, taking you straight down to the big city. There are far more one- and two-bedroom apartments for rent here than elsewhere, so it's great for singles and couples, but you better get in quick because vacancies get snapped up quickly! By the river, you'll also find the crossing for the city's two major streets -- Main Street and Liberty Street -- where there are restaurants and shops aplenty!
Mylith Park / Williams Park: To the west of town and with a lot more detached three- to four-bedroom houses, this place is great if you're looking for a bigger home for rent in Wauconda. There's another larger lake to the west -- Slocum Lake -- that's worth checking out as well.
Route 12 / W Bonner Road: Bangs Lake is the real focus here, lying just north of the main city area. It's where all of the town's recreational activities are centered and is a real community hub, especially during the spring and summer. This neighborhood is also home to Cook Memorial Park and Wauconda Area Library.
Life in Wauconda is relaxed and outdoorsy, and you probably wouldn't fit in too well if you didn't like the water. Bangs Lake is the town's center and a popular recreational destination for locals and visitors alike in the Chicagoland area. Boating, canoeing, swimming, fishing; it's all done here, and you'd be hard pressed to find a day when the lake isn't being used for something, whatever the time of year.
Main Street and Liberty Street are the two major roads that run through town. Here, you'll find all the restaurants and bars, many running parallel to the lake, with great views over it. Bulldog's Grill, JJ Twigs and Strawberry Moon are just three popular spots down Main Street, which is also home to historic storefronts giving the city its character.
Of course, transport in and out is excellent, with Route 12 taking you right to Chicago if you're commuting or just want to go to the city on the weekend. Head a few miles east and you'll find Interstate 94 heading north and south up Lake Michigan, and drive to the south and you'll reach Interstate 90 which takes you west. Transit routes in town are, regrettably, limited, but lots of people are able to go about their business on foot. However, it's always good to have a car for commuting purposes or simply to get out and explore Lake County on weekends. There really is a great deal to see out in the surrounding area.
