Is This Chicago Suburb for You?

A quaint Midwestern town of brick-and-mortar shops founded 189 years ago is evolving from its longstanding reputation as a sleepy bedroom community to an increasingly popular enclave for professionals seeking to trade big-city life for a thriving suburb.

Since the pandemic, the city of Elmhurst, Ill., west of Chicago, has experienced an uptick in families moving in for more space and an easier commute. Although 20 miles from the city, Elmhurst residents can soak in the Chicago skyline when looking east on St. Charles Road, and the Metra express train can transport them to downtown Chicago in about 30 minutes.

Aside from Elmhurst’s location, its perks include more than 20 parks and a segment of the Illinois Prairie Path, a 62-mile-long bike trail and the first “rail-to-trail” conversion in the country, according to the Elmhurst Park District.

Location: DuPage and Cook Counties, 16 miles west of Chicago’s Loop

Population: 45,786

Area: 10.2 square miles

Homeownership: 80 percent

The vibe: A residential feel recalling television’s Wisteria Lane, with freshly manicured lawns and a vibrant downtown

An array of architectural styles can be found in this unpretentious, quiet suburb, including Georgians, ranches, Cape Cods, split-levels and even massive McMansions.

“It’s a neighborhood that has something for everybody, which is what makes it unique. You could buy a house for $400,000 or $350,000, and then three doors down, there’s one for $1.5 million,” said Michael Gobber, a managing broker at Century 21 and a former president of Illinois Realtors.

Single-family homes, condos and rental apartments are minutes from the Elmhurst train station. According to Mr. Gobber, a new downtown apartment complex is awaiting city approval.

In 2022, Kristin Luu, a partner in an executive search firm, moved to Elmhurst with her children from the hustle and bustle of Wicker Park, a Chicago neighborhood northwest of downtown. Ms. Luu remembers looking at pictures of a $1.1 million 1925 “Cotswold-style cottage” designed by the architect R. Harold Zook. The house was placed on the market with one desire: preservation. That wasn’t a deal breaker for Ms. Luu, who willingly swapped city living for the storybook home.

Back in Wicker Park, Ms. Luu’s concerns over safety meant her 13-year-old twins didn’t go outside after 7 p.m. In Elmhurst, she is no longer filled with angst at the thought of her twins walking alone to the park or to a nearby store.

Drew and Ariana Voelsch, a couple in their early 30s, moved to Elmhurst in 2023, from River Forest, a suburb just west of Chicago. They tore down a 1,176-square-foot farmhouse to construct their 5,000-square-foot dream home, a common practice among buyers in Elmhurst.

“The entire purpose of this house was to host and to have family around with this big island and the porch,” said Mr. Voelsch, a chiropractic physician.

Mr. Voelsch said he has noticed a shift in Elmhurst that is reflected in the demographics of his block: New, Millennial residents now living among locals who have spent decades in the suburb.

There are a sea of restaurants and mom-and-pop shops in the Elmhurst City Centre and the Spring Road business district, including jewelers, boutiques, housewares stores, bakeries and gift shops. Mrs. Voelsch enjoys shopping at Kie & Kate Couture or stopping for a sweet treat at Lezza Spumoni & Desserts.

Mayor Scott Levin, an Elmhurst resident of 28 years, said the city is changing to meet the needs of new arrivals, and civic improvements are on the horizon. These include a new train station, a downtown performing arts center and a police station. A neighborhood amenity popular among residents of thriving cities in recent years is also on the way — the city’s first dog park will be completed sometime this summer.

Considering exchanging city life for the Chicago suburb? Here’s more of what Elmhurst has to offer.

Going Out and About

Restaurants: Try 151 Kitchen Bar, Modern Plate, Gia Mia and Ella’s Italian Pub for a dining experience. For margaritas and tacos there’s Guac N Tacos. For grab-and-go, order an Italian beef sandwich at Portillo’s or a burger and a shake at Hamburger Heaven.

Bars: Beer drinkers will be satisfied at Pints, Elmhurst Brewing Company and Manny’s Ale House.

Recreation: Take a walk or bike the 62-mile-long Illinois Prairie Path, once a railroad route. For flora, visit the Wilder Park Conservatory or explore more than 20 public parks. Catch a film at Classic Cinemas York Theatre.

Groceries/Shopping: Shop at Whole Foods Market, Mariano’s or one of two Jewel-Osco grocery stores. Find mom-and-pop shops downtown and on Spring Road. The Elmhurst Farmers Market operates Wednesdays starting June 4th.

Culture: Visit the Elmhurst History Museum or the Elmhurst Art Museum.

Getting There, Getting Around

Local Buses: Pace Bus serves Elmhurst via the 332-River Road-York Road route, which costs between $1.00 to $2.25 and runs from the early morning to late evening.

Rail: The Metra Station in downtown Elmhurst takes passengers to and from downtown Chicago.

By Car: Interstate 294 connects to points north, south and east.

Air: Chicago O’Hare International Airport is less than 15 minutes from downtown Elmhurst.