Naperville/Lisle - Naperville, IL

Joseph Naper and his family arrived at the west bank of the DuPage River in July 1831 and founded what would become known as Naper's Settlement. By 1832, over 100 settlers had arrived at Naper's Settlement. In 1834, the settlement became a stagecoach stop on the road from Chicago to Galena.

Naperville's population explosion started in the 1960s, but it mainly took place during the '80s and '90s, when masses moved into the area following the construction of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and Interstate 355.

Once a quaint farming town, Naperville has evolved into an affluent city. The Naperville Heritage Society has preserved some of the original Naper Settlement buildings, however, which can be seen at the many exhibits and galleries hosted in them. They also host a summer camp for kids. The Dupage Symphony Orchestra serves as another Naperville gem.

Locals love the wide selection of restaurants they have nearby. They head to Freedom Drive for great Middle Eastern food from Naf Naf Grill, with the go-to dish for many being the falafel plate, served with basmati rice and Israeli salad. However, the chicken shawarma on pita bread with fries might be Naf Naf's best dish. Don't skip on the baklava for dessert either. Service here is fast, but without the fast-food feel.

Sushi by Chef Soon slices up the best sushi in all the Chicago suburbs. The location is slightly unusual -- it's tucked into a Korean barbecue restaurant, which limits seating, but make a reservation and you won't have any problems. You can't go wrong with the spicy tuna roll, but don't pass up their signature rolls either. The turtle roll (which actually looks like a turtle), tropical island roll and the Atlantic roll all come with high praise. Finish off the meal with a summer roll -- the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.

To complete the night, head to Squirrel Cage Tavern, a Lisle dive bar that locals adore for many reasons, not the least of which includes the atmosphere, consisting of stuffed squirrels mounted on the walls. Locals head here to hang out with friends, watch the game, grab a brew and relax. The great drink selection and friendly bartenders make this the perfect local hangout. The bar also hosts trivia nights every Tuesday.

Naperville and Leslie residents enjoy a number of transportation options. Two primary public transportation systems exist, Metra Rail and PACE Bus. Metra provides convenient transport into Chicago in 30 minutes. You can grab a train at either the Naperville or Lisle station. PACE buses, on the other hand, prove great for getting around Naperville and Lisle.

Uber's Chicago branch also serves the towns of Naperville and Lisle. With just a few taps on your phone, a cab will be sent to your exact location.

Drivers benefit from a number of major roadways that be taken into Chicago as well as other areas of northern Illinois. I-88 and I-55 remain the most common options, but I-355, 290 and 294 all sit very close to the towns as well. Another driving perk: parking in downtown Naperville is free. In the mid-1970s, local authorities made this decision to keep downtown Naperville competitive with the neighboring town of Aurora and the subsequent sprawl of Chicago strip shopping malls. Pre-existing meters were taken down, and every parking structure built since remains free of charge.

Walkers and bicyclists also get around the neighborhood easily. Modern Naperville stretches over quite a large area, so walking isn't always efficient, but the streets remains safe, and a number of bike lanes exist to promote this mode of transportation.

The Naperville Riverwalk is by far the city's best outdoor feature. Kids love to play in the dandelion fountain and feed the ducks, while the adults take in the gorgeous views of Centennial Beach and the bridges. Many couples rent a paddle boat for the afternoon, or pack a picnic basket with friends and family.

Frontier Park plays host to the annual Naperville Ale Fest, a great event with craft beer, tons of food vendors and live music. The Nike Sports Complex and Park provides fun for all ages, with a sand volleyball court and a running path as well as a fun playground for the kids. The dog park at Whalon Lake always draws a large number of dog walkers looking to keep their dogs active.

Living in the pleasant suburbs costs residents a little more in terms of rent. A one-bedroom apartment in the Naperville/Leslie area goes for an average of $1,009 per month. This rises 7 percent higher than the Chicago average and 13 percent more than the Illinois average.

While housing costs run a little higher, transportation and dining costs remain on par with prices around the nation. Gas falls 1-2 percent lower than national averages within the area, and PACE buses charge $1.75 per ride. When heading out to local restaurant, expect to pay around $12 for a meal and another $4 for a beer.

Most of the area's major commercial shopping takes places along Route 59 through downtown Naperville. Head here for retailers such as Costco, H&M, T.J. Maxx, Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, Nordstrom Rack, Sam's Club, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Kohl's among many others.

Local boutique seekers should head to Room 363 and Naperville Running Company. All sorts of unique home decor items exist at 363, such as ornaments, antiques, art, holiday items, candles, furniture, clothing, accessories, shoes, and jewelry. The Running Company carries a great selection of athletic shoes, and every employee is very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Shoppers can tell the employees value the importance of finding a shoe that fits specific needs, as they take the time to perform a professional analysis of every customer's running style.

Trader Joe's on Gartner Road serves as the main neighborhood grocery store. Mediterranean Oasis Grocery & Carryout also carries a great selection of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, and the hot take-away plates rival Naf Naf Grill. For farm fresh produce, head to Naperville Farmers Market on East 5th Avenue on Saturday mornings. Make sure to pick up some jams and preserves as well.