Park Ridge, Niles: Best of 2 Worlds

Some people relocate to Park Ridge and Niles to get the advantagesof both suburbs and the city.

"People move out here from the city for the landscape - moregrass and less concrete," said Barry Paoli, of Century 21 McMullenRealty, 6400 N. Harlem.

"These suburbs attract urban professionals and young familieswho have grown attached to city amenities but need a little morespace. The schools, particularly the Maine Township high schools,attract people to Park Ridge," said Stino Milito of Century 21 ElmRealty, 741 W. Devon, Park Ridge.In Park Ridge - hometown of first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton -houses range from around $150,000 to more than $1 million.The price of a home depends on the building style and the areait's in, Milito said."Park Ridge was built, custom home by custom home, over morethan 70 years," he said.In Park Ridge, a brick Tudor or bungalow with 1,500 to 2,000square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2 baths sells for around $250,000, Paolisaid.In neighboring Niles, homes are more moderately priced, withhigh-end homes selling for about $400,000. The average house hasbetween 1,500 and 2,000 square feet and is a ranch with 3 bedroomsand 2 bathrooms. It sells for about $180,000.Unlike Park Ridge, Niles has a mix of residential, commercialand industrial areas. Some of Niles' largest employers include W. W.Grainger, A. B. Dick and the Bradford Exchange."The trend in both of these communities, and throughout othernorthwestern suburbs, is to build bigger, more expensive homes whereolder homes were," Paoli said.Older homes remain, though, and mix well with the new homes.