In July 2008, Naperville, Illinois was voted as the #3 town by CNN Money Magazine's Annual Poll "America's Best Places to Live 2008. The town of Naperville straddles both DuPage and Will Counties, and has undergone dramatic growth in recent years. In 1990, the population of Naperville was 83,351; by 2000, it had grown to 128,358.
Today, Naperville's population is estimated to be over 140,000. The village covers 36.2 square miles. Naperville is located 28 miles west of Chicago, and is the fourth largest city in Illinois. Settled by Joseph Naper, who founded the town along the DuPage River in 1831, Naperville boasts excellent schools, a large number of recreational activities, a variety of dining and shopping choices, active community involvement, and cultural activities to fit every budget.
The village is comprised of more than 180 housing subdivisions in various price ranges; the southern area of town has undergone the most residential growth in recent years. There, homeseekers can find custom-built ranch and colonial-style residences, and some are priced well over $1 million dollars. Older homes are mainly two-story brick and frame residences. Townhomes and condominiums also dot the community.
Naperville offers a large number of leisure-time activities to suit children as well as adults. Its well-known Riverwalk, adjacent to the downtown area, attracts lunchtime walkers, families and early morning joggers with its four miles of brick-paved paths. In the summertime, swimmers head to Centennial Beach, a six-acre park with a beach, swim area, volleyball courts, and playground. Residents can also spend some time at the Naperville Park District's many parks, its skateboard park, playing fields, tennis courts, two 18-hole golf courses, a 124-acre sports complex, or at any of the recreational areas that are managed by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. The DuPage Children's Museum is another popular leisure-time choice.
In their spare time villagers can also take out some books from one of three branches of the Naperville Public Library, do some shopping in the thriving downtown business district, purchase some flowers or fruit at the town's Farmer's Market, attend the yearly Ribfest event, and see a performance put on by the Magical Starlight Theatre or by the Summerplace Theatre.
The schools in Naperville are top-rated. There are more than a dozen elementary schools (grades K-5), five junior high schools (grades 6-8) and two high schools: Napervile Central High School on West Aurora Avenue, and Naperville North High School on North Mill Street.
In August 2008, the average sales price of a single family home or condo was $389,609. This information is gleaned from the MLS, and while deemed reliable is not guaranteed.
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