Wood Lake - Naperville, IL

Joseph Naper arrived on the banks of the DuPage River in 1831 and, with his family, founded Naper's Settlement. The waterway provided the ideal environment for a farming community, and numerous settlers arrived in the first years after the inception of the settlement. The area remained rural until the construction of major highways which caused explosive growth of the population. The city now stands as the fifth-largest in Illinois, and the Wood Lake community was created to help house this increasing population.

Naperville sponsors cultural events throughout the year, including art exhibits, concerts and lecture series. The award-winning DuPage Symphony Orchestra performs chamber music concerts in libraries around the city. Experience classical music in an intimate setting, and increase your knowledge of history and instruments at a question and answer session with the orchestra. This family-friendly event is free to all residents, so arrive early for the best seats.

Wood Lake is quietly residential, so residents go to downtown Naperville, the premier restaurant destination of the Chicago suburbs, when they want a day or evening out. Take your pick from nearly innumerable varieties of American and international cuisine.

When life leaves you little time to eat, grab a quick lunch at Burrito Parrilla Mexicana. Enjoy tortilla chips fresh from the fryer while you wait, and get addicted to their homemade salsas. Order tacos al pastor with cilantro and onion for a traditional combination of flavors, and temper the heat with creamy avocado sauce. If you choose the burrito instead, bring a hearty appetite or be prepared for leftovers.

Visit CityGate Grille for American fare with a Mediterranean twist. Follow the sound of a live jazz trio or Spanish guitarist until you reach the sleek dining area. Try the pan-seared scallops with arugula risotto - rich and creamy without the slightest hint of heaviness. For dessert, share a chocolate ganache cake with your dinner partner. Choose CityGate for those last-minute dates, as its off-the-beaten-path location makes it easy to get a table without reservations.

In the Chicagoland area, pizza reigns supreme, so stop by Fiammé for a taste of this regional phenomenon. An authentic brick oven creates a crust with a crisp exterior and perfectly chewy texture. Ask for the Pizza Bianche with prosciutto and arugula and drizzle it with red pepper infused olive oil. Escape the oppressive summer heat with a late dinner on the patio and a pitcher of white sangria.

Naperville's nightlife varies as much as its restaurants, so you'll never be bored. Experience the camaraderie of a small-town dive at The Lantern. Make new friends over a game of darts, and enjoy a pint without paying an arm and a leg. Show up on Sunday and receive free bowls of homemade chili while you watch the Bears game.

When you need a place to kick back after a hectic week, Jackson Avenue Pub supplies you with gourmet grass-fed burgers and a beer menu that stretches for a mile. Enjoy the rarest microbrews in an upscale setting that never gets too loud for conversation. Avoid the inebriated college crowd in this cozy neighborhood pub.

While this area offers more public transportation options than most suburbs, you still need a car. The city planned for a large population of drivers and provides free parking everywhere.

A Bicycle Friendly Community award was given to Naperville by the League of American Bicyclists, in recognition of its commitment to safe bicycling. Paved trails, bike lanes and bridges over busy intersections make getting around town easy for cyclists.

Although downtown gets quite busy, don't expect to see taxis or Uber cars. Use Pace, the suburban bus service, to travel to the train stations, schools and shopping centers. Extra routes are added during seasonal events to help keep traffic to a minimum.

Commuters who work in Chicago or Aurora can take the Metra train from one of two nearby train stations.

Most residents book their flights out of nearby Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Wood Lake is nestled between Cantore Park and Frontier Park. Like all Naperville parks, they are well-maintained and welcoming, providing activities for all ages. Walk your dog along shaded trails, or have a picnic lunch with the kids. Baseball fields and basketball courts offer a space for amateur athletes, but others prefer to unwind with a game of bocce ball. Daredevils can take advantage of the rails and ramps of the skate park. Residents can enter the parks for free, but dogs must remain leashed.

Frontier Park provides a venue for the annual Naperville Winter Ale Fest. Sample hundreds of craft beers from around the country while listening to live music and learning about beer brewing techniques. This event takes place outdoors, so warm up with a variety of snacks and treats from Chicago's most popular food trucks.

This highly sought-after area doesn't come cheap. Expect to pay around $1,240 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. Fortunately, high rents supply residents with swimming pools, fitness centers and other luxuries.

Public transportation remains inexpensive, with bus tickets priced at $2 and train fares into downtown Chicago around $7. Purchase monthly passes and ride for even less.

Gas prices are nearly 2 percent higher than the national average, but this is generally on par with other suburban areas. When visiting a local pub, expect a pint to cost about $6.

Grocery shopping takes just minutes with Jewel right down the street. Drive a little farther and find organic products at Whole Foods and budget-friendly staples at Aldi. Pick up fresh produce, local honey and baked goods twice a week at the Naperville's farmers market, and keep your eye out for independent farm stands that pop up around the city during the summer months.

The Wood Lake neighborhood stands adjacent to the Naperville Crossing shopping center. Find upscale department stores, designer apparel and housewares, as well as a few boutiques. Spend an afternoon downtown to discover the majority of the city's independently owned shops.

Taste the warm Italian sunshine in every bottle of olive oil from Twisted Olive. Inside, rows of shining glass bottles and jars stock the shelves and fill the air with the tantalizing smells of basil and garlic. Purchase flavored oils, balsamic vinegars and handcrafted sauces. Impress your friends at your next get-together when you serve pasta topped with their artichoke lemon pesto.

Elan Boutique brings California glamour to the Midwest with clothing and accessories. Flashy styles fill the racks for women who want to stand out from the crowd. Treat yourself to bold jewelry and colorful scarves, or find a gift for someone special. A little sparkle chases away the gloom on cold rainy days.

Decorate your home for every season with assistance from Little Luxuries. Find table settings, themed decor and unique housewarming gifts. In addition, let the expert staff design custom floral arrangements for your holiday parties.