Skokie Ranked Among Top Locations For 'Move-Up Buyers'

SKOKIE, IL — In its April issue, Chicago Magazine assessed the real estate market throughout the area to explore the best neighborhoods and suburbs for buying property. In addition to providing data about the changes in home prices over time, the "Where to Buy Now" list broke down the best locations into four categories representing distinct types of buyers: "downsizers", "mover-uppers", "first-timers" and "risk takers".

Skokie was listed among the "Best Suburbs for Move-Up Buyers". The category examined homes roughly in the $500,000 to $1 million range, imagining buyers looking to upgrade their starter home—or just get away from renting. The other suburbs recommended in the same range were Arlington Heights, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Lake Zurich and Prospect Heights.

Here are the stats for Skokie:

• Median house sale price: $315,000
• Change since 2006: -21%
• Change since 2015: +13%

Skokie shows strong signs of growth, despite having a lot of inventory that still needs upgrading. Housing price data shows you can save about 30 percent off a similarly sized home between $500,000 and $1 million. Prices are rising fasted in the southwestern part of town, but with a farmers' market, a great public library, park district and some great restaurants—even if not yet as hip as those in neighboring Evanston—the whole village is poised to keep rising in value, according to the list.

» More from Chicago Magazine's "2017 Where to Buy Now" list

Top photo: Patch file