Dive into the suburban showdown between Downers Grove and Naperville! In this video, we are comparing these two amazing western suburbs of Chicago and asking the question, which one is better? Whether you’re deciding where to live or just curious about what each area offers, this video is perfect for you!
🌆 Downtown Vibes: Explore the cozy streets of Downers Grove and the bustling downtown of Naperville.
🌳 Parks & Recreation: From serene trails in Downers Grove to the vibrant Naperville Riverwalk, see which suburb offers the best outdoor experience.
🏫 Education Excellence: Delve into the schools and find out which suburb leads in educational offerings.
🚉 Transportation: Compare the ease of commuting from these suburbs to downtown Chicago.
🍴 Dining Delights: Savor the culinary battle as we pit Downers Grove’s cozy cafes against Naperville’s diverse cuisine.
🎉 Community & Events: Discover which suburb’s community vibe resonates more through their events and gatherings.
🏠 Real Estate Market: Analyze the housing trends and market dynamics to see where your investment would be wisest.
Eric Andersen, B.A., M.Div.
Owner/Designated Managing Broker, Andersen Realty Group
📲 Text/Call: 708.674.6725
📩 Email: eric@eandersenhomes.com
🌎 https://www.ericandersenhomes.com
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Transcript:
In this video, we’re comparing Downers Grove and Naperville and asking the question, which is better? I’m Eric with Andersen Realty Group, and it’s a bit of a David and Goliath story. Humble Downers Grove vs. the much larger Naperville, which I sometimes call the Texas of Illinois. Naperville is so large and has so much to offer, it really could be its own state. Both Downers and Naperville have their unique charm and amenities, and ultimately, only you can decide which one’s better for you. But today we’re doing a side-by-side comparison and setting up a friendly rivalry so we can get better acquainted with both markets and have a little fun in the process. We’ll consider seven aspects of each area and declare a winner in each round. Our seven categories are downtown vibes, parks, education, transportation, dining, community, and the housing market. First up, let’s talk about the downtown scenes. A bustling downtown is often the heart of any community, where people come to shop, dine, and unwind.
Downtown Downers Grove is a delightful mix of small-town charm and modern convenience. With its historic buildings, family-owned shops, and a calendar full of community events, it’s the perfect spot for a leisurely day out.Also of note is the Tivoli, a fully restored, historic movie theater. They have organ music before Friday evening shows, cocktails at the bar, and free refills on popcorn and drinks.
Naperville’s downtown, on the other hand, is bustling with energy. It’s packed with excellent restaurants, trendy boutiques, and a vibrant nightlife. The Riverwalk is a highlight, offering beautiful scenic views and a perfect place for a relaxing stroll. So, who takes the point for best downtown? If you love a laid-back, community-focused atmosphere, Downers Grove is the clear choice. But if you prefer an energetic vibe with lots of dining and entertainment options, you’ll prefer Naperville. They’re both great and this is a tough call, and I spend a lot of time in both downtowns. But I probably spend just a little more time in Downers Grove, and since this is my video, I’m giving the point to Downers Grove for this round.
Next, let’s talk about recreational opportunities. Green spaces are crucial for a healthy lifestyle and a happy community.
Downers Grove boasts some beautiful parks, like McCollum Park and Patriots Park, which offer plenty of amenities like sports fields, playgrounds, and serene nature trails. It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.
Naperville is no slouch in this department either. With Central Park, DuPage River Park, the Frontier Sports Complex, Knock Park, and more, there’s no shortage of outdoor fun. Plus, the famed Naperville Riverwalk provides an idyllic setting for a leisurely walk or a morning jog. Both suburbs excel in outdoor spaces, but with its extensive and well-maintained park system and the added charm of the Riverwalk, the point for this round goes to Naperville.
Now, let’s take a look at education. Great schools are often a top priority for families. Downers Grove is served by highly-rated school districts, offering a solid educational foundation with dedicated teachers and a variety of extracurricular activities. Downers Grove North and South High Schools are particularly well-regarded. Naperville is renowned for its excellent schools, consistently ranked among the top in the state. The district’s commitment to academic excellence, coupled with robust arts and athletics programs, makes it a top choice for many families. When it comes to education, Naperville’s schools have a stellar reputation that’s hard to beat. This round goes to Naperville!
Next, let’s consider transportation and accessibility.
Downers Grove is conveniently located with easy access to major highways and a Metra station that gets you to downtown Chicago in no time. It’s a commuter’s dream.
Naperville also boasts excellent transportation options with two Metra stations and extensive bus routes. The connectivity makes it a great choice for those working in the city or other suburbs. Both suburbs are commuter-friendly, but Downers Grove’s slightly shorter travel time to Chicago gives it the edge. This round goes to Downers Grove!
Next up, foodies, this one’s for you! Let’s explore the dining scenes. Downers Grove offers a variety of dining options, from cozy cafes to unique eateries. It’s a great place to find family-owned restaurants serving delicious, homemade meals. Naperville, however, is a culinary hotspot. With a wide range of cuisines and several upscale dining options, it’s a food lover’s paradise. Whether you’re craving sushi, Italian, or a good steak, Naperville has you covered. Both suburbs offer great food, but Naperville’s diverse and high-quality dining scene gives it the edge here. Another point to Naperville!
Now, let’s see how these suburbs stack up when it comes to community and events. Downers Grove is all about community. With events like the annual Fine Arts Festival, farmers markets, and the holiday tree lighting, there’s always something happening that brings people together. Naperville takes community events to another level with big festivals like The Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling. The Last Fling is a family-friendly festival that takes place over Labor Day Weekend and is a fun way to say farewell to summer. It has music, food, a carnival, special events, a business expo, a parade, and more. While Downers Grove offers a cozy, close-knit community vibe, Naperville’s large-scale events and festivals are hard to beat. Another point to Naperville.
Finally, let’s look at the real estate markets of Downers Grove and Naperville.
Downers Grove offers a range of housing options, from historic homes with character to modern new builds. The neighborhoods are welcoming, with a strong sense of community and plenty of green space. Naperville, known for its upscale living, features beautiful homes, both historic and new. It’s a bit more expensive, but the investment often pays off with excellent amenities and a high quality of life. If you’re looking for affordability and charm, Downers Grove is your pick. But for those seeking luxury and top-notch amenities, Naperville takes the prize. It’s a close call, but when you look at how many showings it’s currently taking for homes to go under contract, Downers Grove is at 20, and Naperville is at 23. This is related to the average market time of homes, where Downers Grove’s average of 29 days on market just beats out Naperville’s 33 days on market. So the point for this round goes to Downers Grove.
It’s been a tight contest, but the final score is Naperville 4, Downers Grove 3. We’ve looked at Downtown Vibes, Parks, Education, Transportation, Dining, Community, and the Housing Market. Both areas have their pros in cons in each category, but hopefully this has given you a better feel for Downers and Naperville so you can decide which is better for you. If you’re looking to make a move to Downers Grove, Naperville, or the western suburbs of Chicago, reach out to me anytime, and don’t forget to like this video and subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications so you stay current with real estate in the western suburbs of Chicago. I’m Eric with Andersen Realty Group, a family-owned brokerage where we treat our clients like family.