La Grange, IL, is a village and suburb of Chicago that has a close-knit community with family-friendly events throughout the year. The village is conveniently located to many diverse amenities and fun attractions, as well as is just a short drive away from the big city of Chicago.
Around 16,000 residents called La Grange home in the latest United States Census Bureau estimates in 2022. For seniors who are looking for one of the best places to retire in Illinois, here are a few reasons to consider La Grange.
1. Convenient Location
La Grange is located around 15 miles southwest of Chicago. Since it’s a smaller suburb, seniors who want to live in the Chicago area but not directly in the big city might consider La Grange as a great option.
La Grange is part of Cook County, which is the most populous county in Illinois and the second most populous county in the country. There are so many interesting attractions throughout Cook County, which gives La Grange residents who like to explore and experience new things plenty to check out.
Some of the top attractions in the Cook County area, which can be accessed for day and weekend trips by La Grange residents, include:
- Chinatown in Chicago: A visit to the Chinatown neighborhood in Chicago is like stepping into a whole other world. The historic neighborhood includes unique architecture, traditional specialty shops and locally owned restaurants and grocers serving eastern Asian foods.
- Adler Planetarium: The Adler Planetarium in Chicago is the country’s first planetarium, with lots of interesting exhibits and ways to get closer to the stars. The planetarium features a café, an observatory with a telescope and lots of interactive astronomy-themed exhibits.
- Chicago Riverwalk: The Chicago Riverwalk is a nice place to walk by the water, surrounded by city views. There are tons of restaurants, shops and spots to sit down and enjoy the view along the way. The full path is around 1.25-mile long and is open from 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
Throughout Cook County, there are also tons of diverse restaurants, shops, parks and nature areas to explore. When La Grange residents want a little more out of their entertainment options, there are tons of things to explore close by.
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2. Community Events
The village of La Grange makes sure residents have plenty of ways to enjoy their time right in their community. Downtown La Grange is home to dozens of locally owned shops and restaurants, all within walking distance of the La Grange Village Hall. Downtown, residents can see architecture dating back to the 1890s, making the village hub a place that’s steeped in beautiful history.
Some of the regular events residents in La Grange can look forward to include:
- Thursday Farmer’s Market from May to October
- Annual Pet Parade and Carnival
- Annual La Grange Craft Fair in July
- Annual weekend concert series Endless Summerfest each August
- Annual end-of-summer West End Arts Festival, including food and wine tasting, art classes and live jazz concerts
- Annual Hometown Holidays events
There are also lots of weekly events in La Grange hosted by local shops and restaurants. You can find more options for local events in La Grange on the village’s website.
3. Abundance of Nature
La Grange is a gorgeous place for nature lovers to reside. The Park District of La Grange is a great resource for those who want to get outside and get closer to nature. In La Grange, there are around a dozen parks and recreation areas, including:
- Community Center/Park: The 1-acre park includes basketball courts, a playground and an activity building
- Denning Park: The 10-acre park includes a picnic shelter, a walking/jogging path, a soccer field, a basketball court, a community garden, an activity building and a playground
- Elm Park: The 2-acre park includes a half-court basketball court and a playground
- Gilbert Park: The 6-acre park includes a half-court basketball court, T-ball fields, lighted tennis courts, a walking/jogging path, a playground and a preschool building
- Gordon Park: The 13-acre park includes a picnic shelter, lighted softball fields, lighted handball courts, soccer fields, a walking/jogging path, fitness stations, a playground, a splash pad and a skate spot
- Meadowbrook Manor Park: The small park includes a playground
- Recreation Center: The La Grange recreation center includes a walking track, basketball courts, a dance/aerobic studio, rental rooms, an indoor playground and a banquet room
- Rotary Centennial Park: The 0.3-acre park includes a picnic shelter and a playground
- Sedgwick Park: The 23-acre park includes basketball courts, baseball fields, lighted tennis courts, a walking/jogging path, lighted sand volleyball courts, soccer fields, a playground and an activity building
- Spring Park: The 0.85-acre park includes a picnic shelter and a playground
- Stone Park: The 0.5-acre park includes half-court basketball courts and a playground
- Waiola Park: The 3.5-acre park includes a basketball court, T-ball fields, a walking/jogging path, a soccer field and a playground
While these are some of the many parks right in La Grange, a short drive away to other communities means even more ways to get close to nature in Cook County. The Forest Preserves of Cook County includes 70,000 acres of nature for La Grange residents to enjoy.
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La Grange Is Also Home to Senior Lifestyle Community Aspired Living
Another reason to consider La Grange for retirement is that it’s home to Aspired Living of La Grange. This welcoming senior community offers seniors assisted living, memory care and short-term care services.
Right at home, residents have everything they need, including:
- Activity room with demonstration kitchen
- Chapel
- Fitness center
- Housekeeping
- Library and technology center
- Movie theater
- On-site restaurants
- Outdoor courtyards with walking paths, a gazebo and gardens
- Outdoor terrace dining
- Private massage suite
- Salon and spa
Residents get nutritious chef-prepared meals, with in-room dining service options. There’s also transportation available for things like medical appointments. Plus, residents can participate in a variety of daily activities offered through the community programming schedule, such as exercise classes, bingo, gratitude journaling, happy hours, poker games and more.
If you’re looking for assisted living, memory care or short-term care for yourself or a loved one in La Grange, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.