Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights Real Estate Guide

Arlington Heights Luxury Homes For Sale

Arlington Heights real estate draws buyers who want the infrastructure of a large, established suburb paired with the walkability and community life of a true village. Located about 25 miles northwest of Chicago in Cook County, this is one of the largest villages in Illinois and one of the most complete communities on the entire northwest corridor.

What to Love About Arlington Heights

• Walkable, thriving downtown with independent restaurants, live theater, and a music venue all within a few blocks of the Metra station
• One of the few suburbs where you can park the car and genuinely live car-optional on weekends
• Strong two-district school system with nationally recognized high schools
• 58 parks, five community centers, an Olympic indoor pool, two golf courses, two tennis clubs, and Lake Arlington, all operated by a single park district
• Immediate access to thousands of acres of Cook County forest preserves, including the 3,500-acre Ned Brown Preserve
• A 326-acre redevelopment site (the former Arlington Park racetrack) that could transform the village's eastern edge
• Metra UP-NW service with roughly 45-minute trips to Ogilvie Transportation Center
• An architecturally varied housing stock ranging from 1880s Victorian-era homes to new construction
• A genuine village identity, with civic pride, annual festivals, and a resident population that largely stays and puts down roots

Real Estate and Homes

Arlington Heights covers just under 17.7 square miles, and its housing stock reflects more than 140 years of development. The result is a village where a craftsman bungalow sits a few blocks from a new townhome and a large Colonial sits across from a mid-century ranch.

Housing Types

• Single-family homes make up the majority of the housing stock and range widely in age, size, and style
• Condominiums and townhomes are concentrated near downtown and along major corridors
• New construction infill and teardown-rebuilds have brought larger, custom homes into established neighborhoods
• The downtown core has seen a recent wave of mid-rise condo development

Architectural Character

The village's oldest homes, near historic downtown, date to the late 1800s and early 1900s, featuring Victorian, Gothic Revival, and French Provincial influences. Postwar decades filled in outer neighborhoods with Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals, and split-levels. Ranch homes from the 1960s and 1970s are common throughout mid-village. The most recent construction tends toward transitional and traditional styles with open floor plans, often on lots where older ranches were torn down.

Neighborhood Snapshots

Scarsdale: One of the village's most established areas, dating to 1931. Tree-lined streets, larger lots, brick and stone exteriors. Home sizes run from around 1,200 to over 4,000 square feet. Strong identity neighborhood with high owner pride.

Scarsdale Estates: Similar character with generous lot sizes, significant landscaping, and a quieter, more estate-like feel.

Greenbrier: Near Palatine Road and Route 53. Midsize Colonial Revivals, split-levels, and ranches on well-maintained blocks. Also includes condos, making it one of the more accessible entry points to the village.

Arlington Knolls: Classic brick-exterior homes, three to five bedrooms, detached garages. A family-oriented neighborhood with easy access to parks and schools.

Downtown-Adjacent: Bungalows, converted two-flats, and newer condo buildings. Walkability scores are highest here. Lots tend to be smaller, but proximity to the village core is the trade-off.

Local Tip: Teardown activity has been steady in the inner neighborhoods for over a decade. If you're buying an older ranch near downtown, check whether neighboring lots have recently sold, as construction activity can affect the feel of a block during transition.

Lifestyle and Local Highlights

Downtown Arlington Heights

The Central Business District is a genuine asset, not just a collection of chain stores. Campbell Street and Northwest Highway anchor a walkable district with close to 30 restaurants and bars, independent boutiques, and live entertainment.

• Hey Nonny: A live music gastropub operated in partnership with a Michelin-starred chef, featuring jazz, blues, and prix fixe dinners
• Metropolis Performing Arts Centre: Professional regional theater presenting musicals, plays, and concerts year-round
• Arlington Alfresco: A seasonal street festival running May through September, converting downtown blocks into open-air dining
• Craft BBQ, sushi, tapas, Thai, Italian, Mexican, and brunch concepts, mostly independent operators

The Arlington Heights Farmers Market operates every Saturday from May through October. The Sounds of Summer Concert Series runs Thursday evenings in summer with free outdoor performances.

Schools

Arlington Heights School District 25 (SD 25): Serves approximately 5,316 students in grades pre-K through 8 across nine schools, including seven elementary schools (K-5) and two middle schools.

Township High School District 214 (HSD 214): One of the largest and most respected high school districts in Illinois, serving approximately 12,000 students across six comprehensive high schools.

• John Hersey High School is consistently ranked among the top 10-15 high schools in Illinois, with a 96.4% four-year graduation rate and strong AP and dual-enrollment programming
• Rolling Meadows High School also carries strong academic and extracurricular programming
• Which high school a student attends depends on specific address

Local Tip: School assignments in HSD 214 depend on your specific address. Buyers should verify which high school their prospective home feeds into before purchasing.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

The Arlington Heights Park District is one of the best-resourced in the Chicago suburbs:

• 58 parks throughout the village
• Five community centers with outdoor pools
• Olympic Indoor Swim Center
• Two public golf courses
• Two tennis clubs
• Lake Arlington for fishing, walking, and nature access
• Outdoor skate park
• Arlington Heights Historical Museum
• Dedicated Senior Center

Beyond village parks, Arlington Heights borders significant forest preserve land:

• Ned Brown Forest Preserve: 3,500+ acres with nearly 13 miles of paved trails, waterways, and an elk pasture. One of the most visited preserves in Illinois.
• Crabtree Nature Center (Barrington Hills): 1,000 acres of rolling terrain with three unpaved trails through prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. A premier birding destination.
• Des Plaines River Trail: Connects through multiple preserves, supporting hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.

Community Events

• Frontier Days: The village's signature summer festival. Five days at Recreation Park with carnival rides, live music, food vendors, a July 4th parade, and fireworks.
• Harmony Fest / Taste of Arlington Heights: Culinary and live music event showcasing local restaurants
• Heritage Fest: Cultural celebration highlighting the backgrounds of the community through exhibits and international food
• Sounds of Summer Concert Series: Free Thursday evening outdoor concerts throughout summer
• Saturday Farmers Market: Community anchor from May through October

The Arlington Park Redevelopment

The former Arlington International Racecourse was one of the premier horse racing venues in North America for over a century. The Chicago Bears purchased the 326-acre site in February 2023 with plans for a mixed-use development potentially anchored by a new domed stadium. As of spring 2026, enabling legislation has passed the Illinois House, but the outcome remains unresolved. The site represents the single largest redevelopment opportunity in suburban Chicago.

Commute and Transportation

Metra Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) Line:

• Arlington Heights is served by two Metra stations: Arlington Heights station (45 W. Northwest Highway) and Arlington Park station
• Average trip to Ogilvie Transportation Center: approximately 45 minutes
• The Arlington Heights station is 22.9 miles from Ogilvie
• Downtown Arlington Heights is walkable from the station, making it one of the few suburbs where car ownership is optional for Chicago-bound commuters

Highway access:

• Route 53 connects north and south to I-90, I-290, I-355, and I-55
• I-90 has a full interchange at Arlington Heights Road, putting the O'Hare area within 15-20 minutes
• Downtown Chicago by car: 45-60 minutes depending on traffic
• O'Hare International Airport: approximately 20 minutes, a significant advantage for frequent travelers

Frequently Asked Questions About Arlington Heights

What types of homes are available in Arlington Heights?

A full range: single-family homes from craftsman bungalows and mid-century ranches to large Colonial Revivals and new construction teardown rebuilds, plus condominiums and townhomes near downtown and along major corridors.

How long is the commute from Arlington Heights to Chicago?

By Metra, approximately 45 minutes to Ogilvie Transportation Center. By car, 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. O'Hare International Airport is about 20 minutes by car.

What is the Arlington Park redevelopment and how does it affect the village?

The Chicago Bears purchased the 326-acre former racetrack in 2023 and proposed a large-scale development. As of May 2026, enabling legislation has passed but the Bears have indicated more amendments are needed and have explored alternative sites. Any outcome will significantly shape the village's future.

Which high school will my kids attend in Arlington Heights?

Most addresses feed into John Hersey High School or Rolling Meadows High School, both in Township HSD 214. A small number of border addresses may feed to Buffalo Grove or Elk Grove High School. Always verify for any specific address before purchasing.

Does Arlington Heights have a walkable downtown?

Yes, and it is one of its strongest selling points. Close to 30 restaurants and bars, live theater at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, a live music venue, boutiques, and the Metra station, all within a few compact walkable blocks.

What outdoor recreation is available near Arlington Heights?

The park district manages 58 parks, Lake Arlington, five pools, two golf courses, and two tennis clubs within the village. Ned Brown Forest Preserve offers 3,500 acres of trails and nature land just outside the village. Crabtree Nature Center and the Des Plaines River Trail are also within a short drive.

What types of buyers are drawn to Arlington Heights?

Chicago commuters who want strong schools, a real downtown, and easy rail access. Families looking for a long-term community with full-lifecycle amenities. Empty nesters who want walkability and low-maintenance condo options near the village center. And buyers who see the Arlington Park redevelopment as a long-term value driver.