The village of Lake Zurich, IL, is a community of around 20,000 residents in southwest Lake County, which is around 40 miles away from the big city of Chicago. Residents enjoy living in Lake Zurich for a wide variety of reasons, from the peaceful nature and surrounding views, to the vibrant local businesses, shops, restaurants and community events that engage residents.
For seniors who are considering retiring in the Chicago area, the following are some top reasons to consider calling the suburb of Lake Zurich home.
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1. Lake Zurich
First up is the village’s namesake, Lake Zurich. The lake is around 228 square acres and has 3 miles of shoreline, giving residents lots of opportunities to get out on the water and relax beachside while taking in the view. There’s also a walking trail that goes around the lake.
For those who enjoy fishing, the lake includes bluegill, carp, yellow perch, largemouth bass, white crappie, Northern pike and yellow bullhead varieties. You can access beaches from Paulus Park, which is where the 3-mile walk around the lake starts from, as well as at Breezewald Park.
There are also several restaurants that offer lakeside views of the village’s namesake. Sunset Pavilion at Breezewald Park serves a variety of craft beers, as well as sangria and wine, cocktails, flatbreads, sandwiches, gelato and coffee. Bobbers serves American fare like cheese curds, wings and burgers, in addition to seafood dishes like calamari. There’s also Korean BBQ on the Lake, as well as Lindy’s Landing next to nearby Bangs Lake.
For seniors who want to retire near a beautiful body of water, Lake Zurich provides that opportunity, as well as being in close proximity to a major airport and U.S. city.
2. Nature & Green Spaces
The lake isn’t the only nature residents love to explore in Lake Zurich. The village has 32 public parks that take up more than 245 acres, as well as contains the 7.8-acre Kuechmann Arboretum that features 25 different tree species.
Many of the parks feature multiuse fields, and there are also many picnic shelters and grills available for rental. Some of the activities and amenities available at Village of Lake Zurich parks include:
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- Baseball fields
- Basketball courts
- Beaches
- Fishing
- Nature areas
- Parking
- Pickleball courts
- Picnic tables
- Playgrounds
- Shelters
- Soccer fields
- Swimming
- Tennis courts
- Volleyball courts
- Walking trails
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Plus, in 2024, the Village of Lake Zurich announced it was awarded a $600,000 grant to enhance the 41-acre Paulus Park. Developments will include a renovation of the water splash pad, a new bandshell, new cornhole courts, a new community gathering space with game tables and additional shoreline restoration with landscaping.
There are so many diverse green spaces throughout Lake Zurich, which makes it a great place for residents who enjoy spending time outdoors in nature.
3. Shopping
Lake Zurich is home to a variety of local shops and businesses. Each Friday from June through September, the Village of Lake Zurich Farmers Market invites local farmers and goods creators to sell their wares, from baked goods, to produce. The farmers market also includes live music, making it a fun community event for shopping and connecting with other residents.
There are also dozens of locally owned retailers in the Lake Zurich area, including:
The Deer Park Town Center is also a major shopping mall in the Lake Zurich area, with more than 60 popular shops and restaurants, including Sephora, Crate & Barrel, Apple, Pottery Barn and Anthropologie. There’s also a movie theater in the mall, which hosts events like wine dinners, 5K walks and more.
4. Dining & Drinking
In addition to local shops, Lake Zurich has a tantalizing dining and drinking scene, with lots of unique restaurants, breweries and more in the area. In Lake County, residents can enjoy cuisines including:
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- American
- Chinese
- Italian
- Jamaican
- Korean
- Mexican
- Seafood
- Steakhouses
- Thai
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There are dozens of diverse restaurants to explore in the area, including plenty with outdoor dining and water views.
Lake County also has a variety of wineries and breweries, as well as a distillery. There are lots of options for residents who want to try new wines, beers and spirits and meet the makers behind the drinks.
5. Community Events
The Village of Lake Zurich hosts different community events for residents who have all types of interests. Some of the fun things to do in Lake Zurich include:
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- Catch and release fishing derbies
- Downtown tree lighting and winter celebrations for the Christmas holiday season
- Food truck socials on Wednesdays from June through August at Paulus Park
- Holiday celebrations, like family Easter egg hunts and Fourth of July parties
- Summer lakeside concerts
- The annual downtown Rock the Block event, an outdoor music festival featuring food trucks
- Tree planting ceremonies and park cleanups
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With such a close proximity to Chicago, there’s even more to check out when you live in Lake Zurich. Chicago is home to some of the country’s best comedians at The Second City and Improv Olympic. There are also nationally renowned art museums, restaurants, theaters, music venues, sporting events and more just a short drive away from Lake Zurich.
Explore Azpira Place of Lake Zurich
See What Life Is Like in Lake Zurich
Another reason to consider retiring in Lake Zurich is that it’s home to Azpira Place of Lake Zurich, a senior lifestyle community offering assisted living and short-term care services in the area. This safe, supportive, welcoming community provides residents with the exact level of care and support they need, while encouraging residents to pursue their passions at home and in the community.
Some of the features of Azpira Place of Lake Zurich include:
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- Art Path lessons, Encore music program and Good Vibrations drum circle programs for residents
- Chef-prepared meals with restaurant-style service, as well as in-room dining service and an assortment of delicious snacks available
- Daily programming calendar, featuring activities like bingo, yard games, word searches, Wii sports, manicures, karaoke, gratitude journals, movies, cookouts, chair workouts, beer tasting, live entertainment and more
- Housekeeping services
- Transportation services to medical appointments, retail shops, resident outings and more
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For seniors and family members who need a little extra help with daily activities, Azpira Place of Lake Zurich provides a safe and enjoyable place to call home. For details, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.