The Barrington area comprises five villages about 35 miles northwest of Chicago. Barrington, Barrington Hills, and South Barrington are in Cook County, while North Barrington and Lake Barrington are in southern Lake County.
Before farmers settled in the 1830s, the Barrington area was home to the Pottawatomi and Mascouten tribes. Railroads attracted business to the farming region, which soon served as a bedroom community in the bustling metropolis of Chicago. The area now offers its 42,000 residents a pleasant city and country living balance.
The Barrington communities are located where the I-90 corridor meets the Fox River Valley. U.S. Highways 12, 14, and 53 are also nearby. Barrington is just a short drive from Six Flags Great America and O’Hare International Airport. The region has many community organizations, including senior groups, sports leagues, garden clubs, health clubs, and religious groups. Wetlands, parks, and forest preserves are all located within or near Barrington. More than 8,500 students attend the Barrington Community Unit School District 220, which serves Barrington and surrounding communities with 12 schools. Real estate is diverse. Whether you seek a condominium, townhouse, or single-family home, you will find your dream home in Barrington.
History
Early settlers came to Barrington around 1850, and the initial village was chartered in 1865. When railroads came to northern Illinois, the area began to grow rapidly. Retailers developed along the railroad lines, and Barrington became a popular Chicago suburb. Community and history are very important to Barrington residents. Although Barrington has a thriving retail industry, residents try to maintain the quiet, small-town life that is so much a part of the region’s history.
Pricing
There are a variety of real estate options in the Barrington area. Two- or three-bedroom condominiums and townhouses are available between $200,000 and $500,000, many offering attached garages or golf course locations. Three-bedroom, single-family detached homes on large lots are available from $300,000 to $500,000. Luxury executive homes and estate properties on acreage are available for $400,000. The Deer Lake subdivision has waterfront homes with scenic views in the $700,000 range. Houses on multi-acre lots featuring golf course frontage and estate properties in Barrington Hills sell for $600,000 and up. Horse property is also available. The ages of homes vary, and styles include ranch and colonial. Undeveloped land and lots are available for between $300,000 and $600,000. The majority of these properties are larger than two acres. Some farmland is also available.
Recreation
The Barrington area has one public golf course, five private golf courses, and five park districts. Most parks are expansive: 37-acre Langedorf Park, for example, includes baseball fields, lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, banquet facilities, meeting rooms, a fitness center, and a dance studio. The Barrington Countryside Park District in Barrington Hills also offers a riding center, summer camp, winter ski program, and six tennis courts.