"Big Noise from Winnetka," composed in 1940 by New York jazzman Bob Haggart. (watch a live performance of the tune on YouTube by directing your web browser to this URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xr4YWSAitw
But this is a REAL ESTATE blog, you might say to yourself. What's the connection?
It's just a fun way to introduce the lovely Village of Winnetka to you readers. Winnetka sits along Lake Michigan, just north of Wilmette and Kenilworth. Winnetka is one of the smaller North Shore communities with a population of only 12,419. The name "Winnetka" means "beautiful land" in a Native American Indian language.
The Village's vision statement reminds us that Winnetka is "... a village in a natural setting committed to its tradition of residential neighborhoods, citizens involvement, local shops, and education excellence..." And that sums it up rather well. Take some time to meander through the Village and see for yourself the enchanting residential streets, the lovely specialty shops, and the nationally-recognized public schools. There are three elementary schools and a junior high school (District 36). Of particular note is the high school in Winnetka, New Trier High School, District 203. The alumnae of New Trier include notable people who have had huge impact in national politics, entertainment, and more. Names? "Never discuss politics and religion" is our motto, but famous personalities in the entertainment world who came from New Trier High School include Rock Hudson, Chris O'Donnell, Charlton Heston, Virginia Madsen, and Lili Taylor.
In addition to the public schools in Winnetka, there are three private elementary schools and a private high school (North Shore Country Day School).
The user friendly park district offers four beaches, a boat launch, ice rink, golf, and more. There is terrific library, of course, and the Winnetka Community House is available for multiple recreational programs.
Winnetka was incorporated back in 1869. It grew from commerce needs, especially the growth of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad Company. Even today, the Metra commuter trains run through Winnetka and service three separate stations: Hubbard Woods (just before crossing into Glencoe), Winnetka downtown (at Elm Street), and Indian Hill (servicing New Trier High School). If the Metra Union Pacific North Line does not take you where you need to go, it's a short ride to the west side of Winnetka where you can access the Edens Expressway, taking you north towards Wisconsin, or south into the Kennedy Expressway and Chicago.
But what about the housing choices in Winnetka? There is a variety of ownership options and style selections in Winnetka. There is a rental market (apartments and single family homes), but the bulk of residents do own their home. Most of the housing units were built before 1939, but there is evidence of a healthy new-construction market as well, replacing older homes that no longer fill the needs of today's families.
Prices of homes on the market today look like this:
- single family: $644,900 (a resale) to $9,875,000 (new construction on Sheridan Road)
- townhouse: $339,000 to $435,000
- condominium: $199,000 (a resale unit) to $855,000 (new development on Green Bay Road)
Have we captured your interest? Come up for introductory tour of this very special community. We'll be happy to see you.
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