Bellwood, Illinois
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Out of all the western suburbs, Bellwood may have the best location for travelers. There are two major expressways very close by, so driving to nearby towns or out of state is easy. Commuting into Chicago is also a quick trip thanks to the Metra train station on the north end of town.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in Bellwood is similar to the state and national averages. It’s also comparable to most of the neighboring communities such as Maywood, Melrose Park, and Hillside. The cost of homes in Bellwood, however, is noticeably lower, meaning there are some affordable prices for homebuyers looking for the suburban lifestyle on a budget.
Transportation
I-294 and I-290 run through or alongside Bellwood and have access ramps in the village or close by so residents can be on a major expressway within minutes of leaving their homes. The Bellwood Metra stop has a couple of express trains to and from Chicago during peak hours that make the city commute less than a 30-minute trip. Non-express trains are closer to 45 minutes. There are Pace bus routes that run along Washington Boulevard, Butterfield Road, Mannheim Road and Wolf Road that connect Bellwood to major shopping and employment hubs primarily to the west and south of the village. Thanks to a healthy amount of retail stores along Mannheim Road, Bellwood can be considered fairly walkable. Most residents only have a short walk to grocery stores and fast food joints on Mannheim, but they like rely on their cars for other errands and getting to entertainment venues. Air travelers will have to choose between O’Hare and Midway Airports. O’Hare is a bit closer, about 20 minutes away by car, while a trip to Midway is between 30 to 40 minutes.
Schools
Bellwood may be small, but it has its own school district. Bellwood School District 88 administers to two primary schools (Pre-K and Kindergarten), four elementary schools (grades 1-5) and one middle school (grades 6-8). High schoolers attend Proviso West High School in nearby Hillside.
Attractions
Stevenson Park is in the middle of Bellwood and home to a modern recreation center with a gymnasium and work out center. The park also has a playground, several baseball diamonds, and a large swimming pool which is very popular during the summer months.