View Homes For Sale in Verona Ridge, Aurora

Welcome to The Estate Homes of Verona Ridge in Aurora, IL, the “City of Lights”; one of Orleans Homebuilders’ newest communities in the Midwest region. With 6 luxurious plans to choose from, Orleans will transform these elegant abodes into a graceful way of living in this lavish community. Completing the line-up is the introduction of 3 new plans; the Amberly, the Newbury and the Bradford Grand; along with the already sought after Rutherford plan. These magnificent, stately homes will range in size from 2,923 to 3,974 square feet of sumptuous living space. The homes offer such options as grand morning rooms, sun rooms, guest suites and play rooms, all crafted to give your home the character and comfort today’s savvy homebuyer have come to expect. Verona Ridge offers an excellent array of options to suit yet the most exquisite taste.

Characteristic of Orleans, each home is assiduously fashioned, quality constructed for lasting excellence and well appointed with luxury interior features. The flexible floor plans are smartly designed to maximize space that accommodates formal as well as informal living. With the many selections and upgrades, homes can be tailored to your own personal style.

The beautiful entry monument welcomes guest and owners alike and is just a prelude to the well-heeled flavor of the community. The homes are framed by impeccable, professionally landscaped front and rear yards, tree lined streets and cul-de-sacs. Verona Ridge is a part of the “Countryside Vision Plan”, designed to meet the challenges of the community’s evolving awareness on environmental issues and hopes to achieve an innovative living environment in harmony with nature. It is intended that development proposals will use open space to maximize privacy and separate land uses.

Just 40 minutes west of Chicago and located in beautiful Fox River Valley, Aurora offers all the amenities afforded city living, yet maintains it’s gentle charm. Verona Ridge is easily accessible to main thoroughfares and major highways such as Randall Road, Orchard Road, Lake Street, Eloa Road, Rt. 59 and I88. Shopping is plentiful along these roads and includes, Westfield Mall, Windmill Plaza and Prime Outlet Mall in neighboring Batavia. With a diversified variety of businesses; privately owned and public Fortune 500 companies, the city maintains a stable economic environment.

Verona Ridge is ideally situated in a town rich in history and cultural resources. Young and old alike will find Aurora well stocked with a wide range of entertainment, activity and cultural experiences. The historic Paramount Theatre offers quality theatrical, musical, comedy, dance and family programming. Nature/Forest Preserves, Country Clubs and Golf Courses are woven into the main corridors for the outdoor minded. Equally as popular are the Athletic Centers for the fitness conscience, as well as parks and water parks for the young & young at heart and premium dining to satisfy any palate. The department of youth and sports activities offers activities and events throughout the year, concentrating on Aurora’s youth. We are sure you will find Aurora an innovative city with a wide variety of services, activities and businesses available to serve its residents.

–From: Verona Ridge Community Site (2/21/2008)

• Near East Side (East Side): The oldest neighborhood of Aurora. This neighborhood is located between Downtown and Uptown. There are several large older homes, some dating back to the 1870s. This neighborhood is much more densly populated than any other part of the city. This neighborhood has an elevated crime rate as well as several vacant buildings.

• Near West Side (West Side): The residential neighborhood is generally well maintained with expensive older homes.

• Pigeon Hill (East Side): The former neighborhood where Romanian and other eastern European immigrants once flocked to in the late 1800s. This neighborhood has generally smaller homes and is located around North High Street, just east of the Fox River.

• Frontenac (Far East Side)

• Exposition View (Northwest Side)

• Riddle Highlands (West Side): is located on the West Side, off of North Lake Street and West Illinois Ave. It’s a very charming section of the city, with large, older homes dating back to the early 1900s. Mature trees line the streets and most lawns are neatly manicured. The historic Northgate shopping center is located on its eastern boundary.

• Scraper-Moecherville (South East Side)

• Newport Hill (Far East Side)

• Marywood (North East Side)

• Southpark (South East Side)

• San Souci (Far West Side)

• Copleyville (East Side): The neighborhood surrounding the now vacant Copley Memorial Hospital. The neighborhood is east of Dutchtown and South of the Near East side. This neighborhood is one of the most densly populated in the city.

• Dutchtown (East Side): The neighborhood once predominatly populated by German immagrants during the first half of the 20th century. The neighborhood is east of Copleyville and south of Uptown.

• Little Italy (West Side): Neighborhood once mainly populated by Italian Immigrants south of downtown on the westside, near South Lake Street and West Jericho Road. The neighborhood was once home to many manufacturing jobs but most have been shut down.

• Lakeside San Souci (Far West Side)

• Cherry Hill (Far West Side)

• Hometown (South East Side)

• Downtown: Historic downtown is the heart of Aurora and is home to a number of large historic buildings dating back to the early 1900s. Downtown is located 3 miles (4.8 km) South of Interstate 88. Much of downtown Aurora was developed in the lates 1800s and houses several pieces of impressive architecture. Downtown Aurora’s declined began in the late 1970s but of late is the home of several new developments including the River Street Plaza Condo development and Downer Place Lofts. Many new businesses have opened with success, along with the Hollywood Casino. A major hotel and high rise condos are planned for the East Bank on the east side of downtown. Today still, many areas just outside downtown remain vacant due to the industrial recession of the 1980’s. Downtown Aurora is the home of the famous LeLand Hotel, a 22 story building built in 1921, which housed the Sky Club, a former Blues recording studio. The building once was the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago. Today its used as apartments.

• Uptown (East Side) :The center of Aurora’s strong Hispanic culture. The area was an area just east of downtown, booming with large homes and bustling shops in the first half of the 20th century. Today, some old storefronts are still there.

• White Eagle (Far East Side): is a subdivision that is partially located in incorporated Aurora and partially in incorporated Naperville (the easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the fire hydrants: if they are orange, that denotes Naperville; if they are red, that denotes Aurora.) When it was being marketed it was advertised as “Naperville,” so the mayor at that time cut off all city services to prove his point, that the White Eagle subdivision included sections that were in the City of Aurora. White Eagle is a very wealthy and upscale area. Some homes are valued at well over a million dollars.

• Oakhurst (Far East Side)

• Pheasant Creek (Far East Side)

• Pine Meadows (Far East Side)

• Georgetown (Far East Side)

• Ginger Woods (Far East Side)

• Green Hills (Far East Side)

• Lake Wood (Far East Side)

• Patersonville (East Side): A declining neighborhood with a high crime rate and many vacant buildings. The neighborhood is borderd by S. Farnsworth Av., E. New York St., S. Ohio St, and E. North Av.

• Westwood (West Side): A predominantly African American neighborhood on the west side. The majority of this neighborhood is in and around the Aurora Housing Authority housing development Jericho Circle.

• Huntington (West Side)

• Stonebridge (Far East Side): is the most wealthy area of Aurora. Its located along Indian Trail Rd and Eola Rd on the city’s Far East Side. This is also one of the newest sections of the city. With homes well over a million dollars, its residents have an average household income of $ 112,800 and an average household net worth of $ 165,112.00. The Stonebridge area is also home to the Stonebridge Golf Course, which was the home of a PGA tournament for several years in a row.

• Orchard Valley (Far West Side)

• Foxcroft (Far Northwest Side)

Downtown Aurora is home to the Paramount Arts Centre, a large live performance theater on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Hollywood Casino. There is also the Leland Tower, a former hotel which was the tallest building in Illinois outside the Chicago city limits. It is also on the National Register of historic places. Also located downtown is the main building of Aurora Public Library and a branch campus of Waubonsee Community College. Downtown Alive, a festival that includes live music and a variety of food booths, is held every Friday night in the summer. Roughly 8,000-10,000 people attend every Friday night. Downtown Aurora also hosts the annual Midwest Literary Festival during the second weekend in September. The Riverfront Playhouse is a not-for-profit theater that has held a storefront location in downtown Aurora since 1978.

Commemorative Street Names
Blues Alley
Stolp Ave. between Galena Blvd and Downer Pl.

Dr. William Bonner Avenue
Pond Ave. changed to Bonner Ave.

D. Lloyd A. Hall Avenue
Beach St. between Claim St. and Delius St.

Venon Louis Parrington Drive
Highland Ave. between Kensington Pl. and Galena Blvd.

Rich Eby Avenue
White Ave. between Hartford Ave. and Terry Ave.

Reverent Oliver Shackleford Jr. Way
Sumner Ave. between New York St. and Grand Blvd.

Reverend Rovert Wesby Avenue
Lincoln Ave. between New York St. and Galena Blvd.

Marie Wilkinson Boulevard
View St. between Illinois Ave. and Plum St.

Fox Valley Golf Club

Fox Valley Golf Club (630/879-1030) Located on Route 25 in North Aurora, is an 18-hole golf course that plays 5,927 yards. This course has bentgrass greens, bluegrass ryegrass fairways and tees and fully automated irrigation on greens, tees and fairways. Several ponds enhance the aesthetics of the course.

Garfield Park

Garfield Park is located on 28 acres at Church and Sheffer Roads. Amenities include two Little League fields (Dolan & Andrews), horseshoe courts, a roller hockey rink, a playground, a basketball court, tennis courts, a winter ice skating rink with lights and warming house, a picnic pavilion and open grassy recreational areas.

Mastodon Island & West Recreation Area

Mastodon Island & West Recreation Area is located at Phillips Park. The Mastodon Peninsula site features a tusk maze and a mastodon slide. The gazebo, complete with tiered seating, is available to local schools for their educational programs. The site is easily accessible from the pedestrian bridge on the east side of the lake, along Wyeth Drive. The West Recreation Area, located southwest of the lake, features a playground for youngsters, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and a pavilion. On-site parking is available off of Parker Avenue. In addition, you’ll find three fishing piers located around the lake.

McCarty Park

McCarty Park at East New York Street and West Park Place, provides a gazebo, gardens, benches and tree shaded grassy areas.

Phillips Park

Phillips Park, located on over 325 acres, is accessible from Smith Boulevard, Parker Avenue, or Howell Place off of Montgomery Road. Attractions include the Visitors Center & Mastodon Gallery (630/978-4774), the Sunken Garden, the Phillips Park Zoo (630/978-4700), the Phillips Park Golf Course (630/499-0670), the Phillips Park Aquatic Center (630/851-8686), Mastodon Lake-a twenty-eight acre fishing lake with a 1-mile path, the Mastodon Island exhibits, the waterfall, World War I cannons and numerous veteran related monuments. Among the amenities you’ll find a large state-of-the-art playground, a toddler’s playground, picnic pavilions, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe courts, a jogging/bike path, fishing piers, an ice skating pond, a sledding hill and open recreational areas. Special events and activities are co-sponsored throughout the year with The Friends of Phillips Park.

Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center

Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center is publicly co-owned by the City of Aurora and the Fox Valley Park District. The Fox Valley Park District (630/897-0516) manages the Phillips Park Aquatic Center (630/851-8686) and Splash Country (630/906-7981). Each pool offers pools, water slides, sand volleyball, a picnic area, and concessions.

Phillips Park Golf Course

Phillips Park Golf Course (630/499-0670) is located off of Hill Avenue. The state-of-the-art golf course re-opened in July of 2001. With this renovation, Phillips Park can now boast modern features like “USGA” Greens, a computerized irrigation system, multiple tees, larger greens, better overall drainage systems, strategically placed bunkers and water hazards, cart paths, a driving range and a new clubhouse, as well as a three hole Junior Course. The new driving range has both “All Weather Teeing Surface” for inclement weather and a massive grass tee for a more realistic feel. Phillips Park Golf Course is now a quality championship caliber golf course. With three sets of tees, the golf course ranges from 4,760 yards to 6,200 yards, providing a wide range of challenge for varying abilities.

Phillips Park Visitors Center & Mastodon Gallery

Phillips Park Visitors Center & Mastodon Gallery showcases the mastodon bones that were unearthed in the park during a 1934 Civil Works Administration Project. The skull being the largest of the artifacts, weighs 188 pounds, and greets visitors at the entrance. The bones, estimated to be between 10,000 to 20,000 years old, include a 92-pound lower jaw, a 6-foot-long tusk, ribs and vertebrae. In addition, you’ll find enlarged photographs and a detailed history time line related to the discovery, as well as displays highlighting the history of Phillips Park, the Sunken Garden and the Phillips Park Zoo. The 3,500-square-foot building, located at 1000 Moses Drive, also offers a full view of the Sunken Garden and includes vending machines and public washrooms. Hours of operation are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, from Labor Day through Memorial Day. During the summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the facility will remain open until 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and the facility is handicapped accessible. For more information, contact the City of Aurora’s Department of Parks & Recreation at (630)978-4774.

Phillips Park Zoo

Phillips Park Zoo exhibits include bald eagles, wolves, foxes, otters, elk, goats, pot-bellied pigs, llamas and more. Special events and activities are co-sponsored throughout the year by the Phillips Park Zoociety. The zoo is open daily, year-round and admission is free. Hours of operation are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Labor Day through Memorial Day. During the summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the zoo is open until 8:00 p.m. Parking for the Phillips Park Zoo is located on Moses Drive across from the Sunken Garden. For more information call the Zoo Info-Line at 630/978-4700.

Solfisburg Park

Solfisburg Park, at Ohio Street and Indian Avenue, provides one Little League field (Frett), one Pony League field (Lancaster) and one Legion League field (Bernard) with lighting.

Totland Parks

Totland Parks are at various locations: Claim Street and Beach Street; Anderson and East New York Street; and Best Place and Linda Court. In addition, two new parks opened in the Seventh Ward in 2003: Marie Wilkinson Park at Loucks Street & Galena Boulevard and Bishop William H. Bonner Park at Kane & Loucks streets. Each park provides playground equipment for youngsters, flower gardens and grassy tree shaded areas.

Wilder Park

Wilder Park, on North Lake Street/Route 31, between West Park Place and Vine Street, provides gardens, benches, a Vietnam Memorial, an Aurora Policemen’s Memorial and grassy tree shaded areas in front of the Aurora Police Department.

Pavilion Rentals

Pavilion Rentals Are available at various parks throughout Aurora. To make arrangements for a private pavilion rental (vs. public event) of a park pavilion at Garfield Park or Phillips Park, contact the City of Aurora’s Department of Parks & Recreation at (630) 978-4774. To make arrangements for use of other area park pavilions, contact the Fox Valley Park District at (630) 897-0516.

The Fox Valley Park District

The Fox Valley Park District also owns and operates the following facilities.

• Prisco Center (630/859-8606) at Illinois Avenue and Lake Street
• Eola Community Center (630/851-8990) at 555 South Eola Road
• Blackberry Farms (630/892-1550) at 100 South Barnes Road
• Vaughn Athletic Center (630/907-9600) at 2121 W. Indian Trail

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Required in all Residences

State law and local ordinance require carbon monoxide detectors in all residential occupancies within the city of Aurora. This includes all buildings containing sleeping rooms such as single-family homes, rental properties, apartments, condominiums, town homes, rooming houses and rooming units. Detectors are required within fifteen feet of all sleeping rooms and must be either battery powered, the plug-in variety with a battery back up, or wired into the building’s AC power line with secondary battery back up.

Combined smoke and carbon monoxide detectors may be utilized provided the combined unit emits a sound clearly differentiating the hazard.

There are no exceptions or exemptions.

For a minimal expense, detectors can save lives in cases of emergency. If the property you own is not yet equipped with an approved carbon monoxide detector, one should be installed as quickly as possible.

Questions may be addressed to the city of Aurora’s Department of Neighborhood Standards at (630) 897-4589 or to the Customer Service Division at (630) 264-INFO.

Location: Aurora, Illinois

Contact: , Department of Neighborhood Standards, (630) 897-4589

– Source: City of Aurora Site (2/19/2008)

MetroFi Abandons Plans to Provide Free WiFi to Illinois Cities

Aurora and Naperville to Explore Alternative Wireless Options
On Monday, January 21, 2008, the cities of Aurora and Naperville, Illinois jointly confirmed that MetroFi has abandoned plans to extend free wireless Internet connectivity beyond current service areas. MetroFi provides service in nearly 20% of the city of Aurora, along select areas along Route 59 and in downtown Naperville. MetroFi originally signed contracts in 2006 with both cities promising free wireless throughout the municipalities.

City officials expressed disappointment and frustration over the collapse of the deal, but vowed to continue exploring wireless options for their communities. Aurora’s Chief Information Officer Ted Beck stated, “Staying at the leading edge of technology has risks, and we chose a private, cost-free solution to limit our risk. This is not the outcome we wanted and I expect there will be disappointed people, but I believe the fact we didn’t spend taxpayer dollars is positive.”

Naperville’s Director of Management Services Don Carlsen added, “We are disappointed about MetroFi changing their business model in the midst of our contract for free citywide WiFi. There are many choices in technology today, and part of MetroFi’s attraction was that Naperville residents would receive free WiFi service at no cost.”

Neither city is ready to give up on the idea of citywide WiFi just yet. Officials from Aurora and Naperville have been in discussions about releasing a joint Request for Information to evaluate all the potential citywide WiFi options available in the market today. “Mayor Weisner still believes citywide WiFi would be valuable to our citizens and businesses,” explained Aurora Assistant Chief of Staff Carie Anne Ergo, “but he feels the city needs to review all the options through an open and transparent process before moving forward.” Aurora and Naperville are currently leading an effort to jointly purchase a state of the art interoperable radio system to handle public safety communications needs for more than 1.5 million residents.

Last year, MetroFi changed their business model and announced they would no longer offer free Internet service to new municipal customers unless cities agreed to become anchor tenants on the wireless system and commit to a significant level of spending each year. Shortly thereafter, MetroFi approached both Aurora and Naperville about becoming principal users of a secure public safety network. Under their current contracts, Aurora and Naperville have the option of purchasing additional wireless services, but are not required to do so. After deploying and testing MetroFi’s new 4.9GHz public safety network in pilot areas over a period of months, both cities chose not to purchase additional services.

“Accepting MetroFi’s new proposal doesn’t make economic sense and the procurement must go through a competitive process,” said Naperville’s Telecommunications Manager Dan Voiland, who indicated that it would cost Naperville $3.7 million to build out the network, which would only result in an estimated cost savings of $400,000 over a five year period. Completing Aurora’s network would cost approximately $3.5 million. MetroFi officials have agreed to maintain the current network while officials in both communities explore wireless options.

For more information on MetroFi WiFi services, contact MetroFi at (650) 810-8000.

– Source City of Aurora Site (2/19/2008)

Joseph McCarty, a pioneer from New York State, came west seeking a new home. Reaching the Fox Valley, he built the first campfire in April of 1834 on the island, which is now the site of downtown Aurora. He thought that the Fox River location was an ideal place for a new community and told his brother, Samuel. It was not long before Samuel arrived, family was sent for, and a permanent settlement was taking roots. The settlement was named McCarty mills for the brothers’ grist mill and sawmill. In 1837, when a Post Office was established, the village became Aurora, goddess of the dawn. Later, when the City was the first in the United States to use electric lights for publicly lighting the entire City, it achieved the nickname of “City of Lights”.The modest camp of 1834 has grown into a teeming city. With a population of 157,267 according to 2003 special census, the City has steadily grown throughout the years to become the second largest city in the state.

The City is accessible through five interchanges on the East/West Tollway Corridor. Corporate offices and commercial growth on the City’s east and west sides continue to expand the City’s boundaries, now stretching from Route 59 on the east to portions beyond Orchard Road on the west. The Far East Side of the City includes the regional Westfield Shoppingtown at Fox Valley (formerly known as Fox Valley Mall) and residential areas and is projected to house 60,000 people within the next twenty years. The City extends into four counties, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and Will. There are six school districts and seven townships covered within the city limits. There are four historic districts and a large number of individual landmark designations for many of the City’s buildings.

The City of Aurora is rich in history and pride. The future for the “City of Lights” looks bright as the community continues to grow and prosper.

– Source: City of Aurora Site (2/19/08)

View Homes For Sale in Stonebridge, Aurora

Stonebridge opened in 1989 located in the Fox Valley area of Aurora only minutes from I-88 and Burlington Northern Merta train station. This community is built around the Stonebridge Country Club that features an 18- hole Fazio designed golf course, swimming, tennis, social activities and first class dining at the clubhouse. Stonebridge is comprised of a variety of homes- from multi-million dollar homes to luxury townhomes. All of these fabulous homes make up the many smaller neighborhoods that have their own identity. Within Stonebridge you will find many parks, playgrounds, ponds and a walking path. Students in the Stonebridge community attend Naperville District 204 schools.

Receive Recent Market Activity For Stonebridge

Search real estate in Stonebridge of Aurora and find Stonebridge house values. Access all homes for sale in Stonebridge subdivision, including existing, new construction homes and foreclosures. We also serve all Neighborhoods / Subdivisions in Aurora, Illinois and surrounding communities.

Give us a call today to find how our services can help you when buying or selling real estate in Stonebridge. If you are thinking of selling your home or just like to know your Aurora house value, request for a FREE CMA and we will be in touch with you to provide a free no obligation comparable market analysis of your property. Looking to buy or sell real estate in Aurora, Illinois? Our website is one of the top online resources for viewing Aurora homes, townhomes, condos for sale and for researching Aurora real estate, community and school information.

View Homes For Sale in Villages At Meadowlakes, Aurora

The Village of Meadow Lakes opened in 1994. This quaint community of single family homes includes a series of lakes and pathways with a stone pedestrian bridge to provide focal points for the five individual neighborhoods within this charming community.

There is a wide range of home styles available in this great neighborhood, currently selling from the high 200’s to the mid 400’s.

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Search real estate in Villages At Meadowlakes of Aurora and find Villages At Meadowlakes house values. Access all homes for sale in Villages At Meadowlakes subdivision, including existing, new construction homes and foreclosures. We also serve all Neighborhoods / Subdivisions in Aurora, Illinois and surrounding communities.

Give us a call today to find how our services can help you when buying or selling real estate in Villages At Meadowlakes. If you are thinking of selling your home or just like to know your Aurora house value, request for a FREE CMA and we will be in touch with you to provide a free no obligation comparable market analysis of your property. Looking to buy or sell real estate in Aurora, Illinois? Our website is one of the top online resources for viewing Aurora homes, townhomes, condos for sale and for researching Aurora real estate, community and school information.

View Homes For Sale in Oakhurst, Aurora

Oakhurst is a master-planned community opened in 1988 and located in the Fox Valley area of Aurora minutes away from I-88 and the Metra train station. Oakhurst is comprised of 11 distinctive single-family home neighborhoods and 6 neighborhoods made up of town homes and condominiums. Oakhurst has its own community park which includes soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, baseball diamond, and a pavilion with restroom and picnic table area and playground equipment. Oakhurst is located next to the Waubonsie Creek park area and Waubonsie Lake with a path for walking, biking and rollerblading. Oakhurst residents can enjoy the Oakhurst private pool and clubhouse facilities. Oakhurst is serviced by Naperville District 204 schools.

Search real estate in Oakhurst of Aurora and find Oakhurst house values. Access all homes for sale in Oakhurst subdivision, including existing, new construction homes and foreclosures. We also serve all Neighborhoods / Subdivisions in Aurora, Illinois and surrounding communities.

Receive Recent Market Activity For Oakhurst

Give us a call today to find how our services can help you when buying or selling real estate in Oakhurst. If you are thinking of selling your home or just like to know your Aurora house value, request for a FREE CMA and we will be in touch with you to provide a free no obligation comparable market analysis of your property. Looking to buy or sell real estate in Aurora, Illinois? Our website is one of the top online resources for viewing Aurora homes, townhomes, condos for sale and for researching Aurora real estate, community and school information.