Reasons to Retire in Westmont, IL

For seniors who are looking for a place to retire in the Chicago area, there are many reasons to consider the village of Westmont as a place to call home. The community is located around 25 miles southwest of Chicago, giving residents a suburban home that has close access to one of the country’s biggest cities.

Westmont is known for its community amenities and events, parks and green spaces, eclectic cuisine and rich history. Around 24,000 residents call Westmont home today. Here are some reasons why seniors consider Westmont, Illinois, for retirement.

1. Convenient Location

It’s only around a half-hour drive from Westmont to Chicago, which makes it an ideal place for seniors who have interest in the Chicago area but who don’t want to live directly in the city. Westmont’s close proximity to Chicago means seniors and their families have lots to explore in the area, including Chicago landmarks and attractions like:

• Art Institute of Chicago: This premier museum features classic art from all over the world, in exhibits like Picasso drawings, Japanese clay sculptures, ancient Egyptian artwork and more. In addition to art exhibits, the museum hosts drop-in art classes, art-focused lectures, gallery talks and other events.
• Millennium Park: Millennium Park is Chicago’s leading public park, which includes the 3.5-acre Lurie Garden. The park’s calendar includes events like free spring and summer festival concerts, summer workouts and much more.
• The Second City: The Second City is a comedy venue where many of the world’s most well-known comedians, including Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert, got their start in improv and sketch comedy. See a show here, and you never know who might end up being Hollywood’s next big star.

Chicago is also home to world-class restaurants, national sports teams and many more attractions. Seniors who live in Westmont can pack their calendar with nationally renowned entertainment any day of the week in Chicago.

Also, right in the Westmont, there’s an array of diverse restaurants conveniently located in the area. Living in Westmont, you’re close to all types of arts, entertainment and dining options.

2. Senior Services

Westmont is a very supportive community for seniors who live in the area. Westmont senior resources include:

• Westmont Senior Center: Anyone over the age of 55 can visit the Westmont Park District’s senior center. The senior center has a variety of amenities, including a lounge with a large-screen TV and DVD player, a blood pressure machine, tables for games and cards, meeting and seminar rooms, watercolor classes, Zumba Gold and Ageless Grace exercise classes, a senior chorus, informational and educational speakers, special occasion parties, monthly birthday parties, book review clubs, bus trips and travel opportunities for weekend to weeks-long trips. Visiting the senior center is a great way to connect with other seniors in Westmont and pursue hobbies and new interests.
• Senior golf and bowling leagues: Westmont has a senior golf league that plays at Twin Lakes Golf Course from April through September and a bowling league that plays at Suburbanite Bowl from September through April.
• Westmont Public Library: The Westmont Public Library provides resources like books, ebooks, audiobooks, movies and more for free checkout.

There are lots of ways for seniors to stay active and form new friendships in Westmont. From joining a league, to taking a class, to playing cards at the senior center, every day offers seniors in Westmont something enjoyable to do.

3. Nature, Parks & Green Spaces

Compared to the skyscrapers that dominate Chicago, Westmont has green spaces and parks everywhere you turn. There are more than 20 parks and open green spaces to explore in Westmont, featuring amenities like:

• Baseball fields
• Basketball courts
• Disc golf
• Fishing
• Flag football fields
• Grills
• Horseshoe pits
• Open play areas
• Picnic shelters
• Playgrounds
• Sand volleyball courts
• Skate parks
• Softball fields
• Spray parks
• T-ball fields
• Tennis courts
• Walking paths

For seniors who enjoy golfing, there are also several golf courses in the area. In addition to the Twin Lakes Golf Course that hosts a senior golf league, Belmont Golf Club, Willow Crest Golf Club and Green Meadows are other popular golf options.

4. Special Events

Westmont has a packed calendar of community events, from big holiday festivals, to home decorating contests, to art classes. Some of the standout celebrations out of the more than 75 events that happen in Westmont each year include:

• Cruisin’ Nights & Street Fair: The Westmont Special Events Corp. puts on this classic car festival Thursdays in June, July and August in downtown Westmont.
• Holly Days Festival: Each December, Westmont hosts events including the Frosty & Friends Parade, an Ugly Sweater 5K, Santa Sleigh visits, a Holly Days tree lighting ceremony, a Find Frosty Scavenger Hunt and a Holly Days Home & Business Decorating Contest.
• Independence Day Celebration: This annual Fourth of July celebration happens at the Ty Warner Park, hosted by the Westmont Park District and Village of Westmont.
• Red, White & BBQ Festival / Race to the Flag 5K: The Westmont Lions Club hosts this event each Memorial Day weekend at Ty Warner Park.
• Taste of Westmont Festival: This food, drink and local vendor festival takes place each July in downtown Westmont.
• Wicked West Fest: Each October, there are Halloween holiday-themed events hosted by various organizations, including the Wicked West Fest Costume Contest, the Wicked West Fest Home & Business Decorating Contest, the Haunted Forest Trail, the Trick or Treat Trail, a Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza, casket races and more.

There are also pub crawls, walk and run races for charity, and many other events that Westmont residents can participate in all throughout the year. For seniors who enjoy supporting community organizations and local businesses, special events like these bring residents together.

Westmont Is Also Home to Aspired Living of Westmont

Seniors who live in Westmont should also know that Aspired Living of Westmont is one of the best retirement communities in Illinois, offering assisted living, memory care and short-term care services. This supportive senior lifestyle community provides residents with the exact level of care they need, while also supporting residents as they pursue their passions. 

Daily activities at Aspired Living of Westmont include:

• Art therapy
• Cards and games
• Movie showings
• Resident socials
• Walking clubs and exercise classes

For seniors who retire in Westmont, and their family members who care for them, Aspired of Living of Westmont is there to provide care whenever it’s needed. For information, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.