Pingree Grove—named for the family who purchased the land it stands on today—may not be among the more recognizable Chicagoland suburbs. But if you have a car and value a quiet residential life above all, this suburb 50 miles west of Chicago might be your spot to call home.

Here’s a look at life in Pingree Grove.

Pingree Grove welcome sign photo courtesy of Jonoloier

A Suburban Oasis

Formerly farm land, Pingree Grove doesn’t have a downtown district or a major train line. The suburb is mostly made up of a collection of charming subdivisions arranged on a series of residential streets. This village is for anyone who prizes the quiet of the suburbs over the rush of urban living. With that in mind, the suburb doesn’t have much in in the way of public transportation. Most people get around by car.

While nearly residential its entirety, Pingree Grove does have a few local businesses that residents love. The Milk House Ice Cream makes fresh ice cream with natural and local ingredients. The ice cream shop is open all week long with seasonal favorites, like eggnog ice cream, on tap.

When it comes to seasonal fun, Pingree Grove is also home to Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch. From May until June, Goebbert’s hosts a farm stand, and during the fall, families can pick out pumpkins at the annual Fall Festival. The farm also hosts a Christmas lights show during the winter.

Subdivision Living

If you’re looking to settle down in Pingree Grove, you can expect to find a variety of home types. The suburb tends toward density, so the less expensive homes will be semi-detached while the single-family homes will likely be more expensive. 

To give you an idea of pricing, the median home sale price in the suburb’s Cambridge Lakes neighborhood is in the low $200s. But, you can find a range of home prices. Current listings on Neighborhoods.com start in the mid $100s and go up to the mid $300s. Most of the homes in the neighborhood are built in a traditional or ranch style and overlook the subdivision’s water features.

Access to Strong Schools

Although a small community, Pingree Grove offers its residents access to a number of highly rated schools. Neighboring Burlington is home to K-5 school Prairie View Grade School (rate 9 out of 10 on GreatSchools) and Central Middle School (rated 10 out of 10 on GreatSchools). To the west of Pingree Grove, Hampshire is home to Hampshire High School (rated 7 out of 10 on GreatSchools).

The suburb also has a school within its boundaries: Cambridge Lakes Charter School. The K-8 school has a small student body of less than 500.

Butterfly garden / Shutterstock

The Forest Preserve

If residents want somewhere to stroll other than the quiet streets of their subdivision, they can walk over to the Pingree Grove Forest Preserve. This open space, more than 300 acres in total, contains woodlands and marshes. Birders will love keeping an eye out for winged visitors, including great blue herons, blackbirds, and sandhill cranes.

The preserve’s system of trails offers space for hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. Families can come to the Pingree Forest Preserve to spend a little time outside, maybe with a picnic.

Pingree Grove will be adding a butterfly and pollinator garden to the forest preserve, thanks to a $10,000 grant from ComEd, according to the village website. The village is also planning to add a fenced-in dog park and more picnic areas. 

Neighboring Fun

Pingree Grove might be a dedicated patch of suburbs, but you don’t have to go far outside of the community to find more to do, particularly for families. 

Head to Santa’s Village Azoosment Park in East Dundee—just 20 minutes away—for rides and animal attractions. Over in Union, families can explore Donley’s Wild West Town, an interactive experience complete with Wild West-themed activities like panning for gold, pony rides, archery, rides, and live shows. 

Another 20-minute drive will take Pingree Grove residents to the Illinois Railway Museum, also located in Union. The museum has a sprawling collection of antique trains and railway equipment.