Villages Of West Glen - Naperville, IL

Once part of an early 19th century rural farming community, the Villages of West Glen neighborhood in Naperville, Chicago exploded with residents during the late 20th century building of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Over the years, a steady influx of wealthy residents helped this community keep up with the fast pace of Chicago without losing its ultra-posh suburban feel.

Party like a true Villages of West Glen native with an annual visit to the Naperville Ale Fest or Naperville Ribfest. Featuring live music, local eats, craft beers and interesting people, these festivals connect you to the community’s roots and like-minded residents. Delve deeper into the history of the area with a visit to the nearby DuPage County Historical Museum in nearby Wheaton. Housed in the former Adams Memorial Library that was erected by John Quincy Adams, this free museum houses a number of historically significant DuPage County relics.

Aurora Avenue, the area’s central restaurant hub, hosts several independently owned restaurants. Nestled within the former Willoway Mansion, Meson Sabika provides authentic Spanish cuisine in an upscale dining atmosphere. Start your meal out with the bacon wrapped dates, then order one of the eatery's memorable entrees, such as polla a la Gabardine or Valencia paella.

Venture over to Totopos when you need an authentic Mexican food fix. The casual establishment provides counter service and is known for its steak tacos, homemade pork or chicken tamales and vegetarian quesadillas. Ask for fresh, housemade guacamole, green verde sauce or red chipotle sauce to take your meal to the next level.

Located within Standard Market, the Standard Market Grill incorporates locally sourced produce into its daily signature creations. The chic, contemporary designed restaurant – part of the small regional chain – makes handmade shakes, sells craft beers and provides a seasonally inspired menu that includes sandwiches, salads, soups and flavored waters.

When you want to hear a good local live band play, head to Quigley’s Irish Pub on East Jefferson Avenue. Featuring a seasonal outdoor patio, a wide variety of craft beers and lively TV soccer game events, this neighborhood bar draws a mix of fun-loving locals and visitors.

If you desire a more action-filled night out, head to the Chicago Avenue bar trio of Features Bar & Grille, Frankie’s Blue Room and Club Mamalu. This three-bars-in-one experience features everything from billiards to 80s music to jazz without your ever having to leave its centralized location.

Living in the Villages of West Glen provides you with a vast assortment of transportation perks that get you where you need to go in a hurry. Almost all of the neighborhood’s walk-friendly streets are equipped with dedicated bike lanes. Several of its streets – including Maplefield Road and Emerald Drive – host RTA Chicago bus stops that you can utilize easily when you don’t want to drive around town.

Hailing a cab is relatively easy throughout the Villages of West Glen, and the Uber rideshare service lets you make touch-of-a-button reservations during inclement weather.

The neighborhood’s location near Interstates 355 and 55 and U.S. Route 34 make going out of town for the weekend a breeze. When driving through town, look out for free or low-cost parking near most local businesses.

The Naperville Riverwalk provides you with a picturesque place to spend a relaxing day. Rent a paddle boat to enjoy the sights and sounds along the water, or stay on dry land for glimpses of the Dick Tracey Statue, the Wall of Faces or seasonal flower displays. The Boardwalk also hosts concerts and themed events.

If you prefer a more action-oriented park experience, go to Country Lakes Park on North Aurora Road. This free community park, which allows on-leash dogs, houses a large children’s playground, a baseball field, a basketball court and multiple picnic areas.

The luxurious lifestyle you experience as a Villages of West Glen neighborhood resident comes with a steeper price tag than the rest of the surrounding Naperville area. The average rental price for a one-bedroom place is $972, an astounding 26 percent more than what other regional residents pay each month.

A gallon of gas costs you approximately 3 percent more than the national average, and each pint of beer you order at a local pub runs you at least $6 each. Taking an RTA Chicago bus to the center of the neighborhood is reasonable in price, costing about $2.25 a ride.

Featuring high-end stores, such as Coach and Macy’s, the Promenade Mall on East Boughton Road in nearby Bolingbrook also houses moderately priced shops like Claires and Forever 21.

When shopping for a high-value piece for your home, head to nearby Hinsdale to check out the Green Goddess Boutique on South Washington Street. Hosting a mix of sustainable sourced clothing, accessories and home decor pieces, this store makes going green a memorable, luxurious experience.

If you’re on a tight budget yet still want to remain stylish and on-trend, visit Serendipity Resale on nearby West Jefferson Avenue in Naperville. Featuring an impressive mix of gently used shoes, clothing, accessories and fabrics, this thrift store allows you to express yourself without draining your bank account.

From June until October, spend your early Saturday mornings at Naperville’s Farmers Market on East 5th Avenue. Pick up flowers, handmade soaps and locally sourced meats alongside the seasonal, just-picked fruits and vegetables displays. On your way home, grab grocery items from Trader Joe’s on West Gartner Road, the Standard Market on Aurora Avenue or Whole Foods Market on West 75th Street.