Palatine, Illinois
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Palatine
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Palatine is popular among families who are looking for housing in a suburb with good schools and an easy commute to employment in the Golden Corridor. Its history is typical of most towns in northeastern Illinois in that it began as a small farming community in 1866 and had the advantage of being a stop on the railroad. The area was primarily farmland and didn't see major development until after WWII when Palanois Park, the first subdivision, was built. However, it wasn't until the 1970s when development took off. Palatine's biggest draw is its feeling of small town living with easy access to employment in the region.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Palatine is higher than the US average with most of the cost coming from home ownership. The town's location in Cook County means that property taxes are higher than average due to various factors that result in frequent tax increases. However, residents see the benefit of their taxes returned to them in the form of excellent schools, policing, and well-maintained roads.
Transportation
Palatine is a car-oriented suburb when it comes to getting to nearby destinations. It does have access to Route 53, which terminates at Lake Cook Road to the north and turns into 290 on its south end. Route 53 also has access to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) which travels east and west. There aren't many public transit options in Palatine outside of the Metra station on Wood Street. The Metra line travels eastwards to Chicago, making the town a good option for those who want to work in or near Chicago. Pace operates two bus routes, one that takes passengers to the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg and the other travels to major destinations in the area.
Schools
Children attending elementary school in Palatine are part of the Palatine Central Consolidated School District 15 and can attend any one of the 20 schools located in the district. Three elementary schools receive a rating of 9 on GreatSchools with a fourth receiving a rating of 8. However, there are no high schools in District 15 and children who reach high school age switch over to District 211 which is home to Palatine, Conant, Fremd, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg High Schools. Fremd High School regularly ranks in the top 20 high schools in the state and is a great school for parents who want their children to get into good colleges and universities.
Attractions
There's something going on in Palatine almost every month. The summertime sees the annual Hometown Fest put on by the Palatine Jaycees as part of Palatine's Fourth of July Celebration. It's an opportunity for local artists and bands to showcase their work as well as a place for families to have fun. There are casual bike rides held twice a week during warmer months, farmers' markets that are held until the end of October, and various events that offer an enjoyable day or night out on the town.