In The Press

06/14/06 - Have "a Life" and a Decent Nightlife in the Chain of Lakes Area
After rolling out of bed to an alarm clock five days a week, wouldn't it be nice to start the other two days by throwing on a pair of shorts, sliding into some flip-flops and taking a five-minute drive to the dock?
That's what post-college-age professionals who live in the Chain of Lakes area are experiencing.

During the week, they work on thriving careers at large local corporations such as SBC, Motorola, Abbott Laboratories, and Baxter Healthcare, but they save weekends for boating, water-skiing, camping, fishing, and working - on the tan.

Thirty years ago, living in the Chain of Lakes area was far from being a hot spot, but that's all changed. Young, single first-time homebuyers are finding that, in addition to career opportunities and abundant outdoor recreation, McHenry and Lake Counties have terrific nightlife too.

How about the Fat Man Inn in Gurnee, the Cove in Waukegan, and the Austin Eatery and Saloon in Libertyville? These places rival Chicago's top hot spots.

The area also offers two shopping centers, Hawthorne Mall and Gurnee Mills. John Sieck, 25, likes living in McHenry, where he's pursuing a promising career as the new staff architect for Reserve One Homes' three area developments. In addition to his other duties, Sieck spends time in the field, helping Reserve One stay on top of the housing trends that appeal to young professionals.

"You really can find everything in the area," he said. "During the day, my friends and family and I do a lot of snorkeling, fishing, boating and water-skiing. And there's a good night scene, especially in Fox Lake."

But more than the great job opportunities, the outdoor recreation, the nightlife, the shopping, the biggest perk of living in the Chain of Lakes area is the price.

Take Reserve One Homes. All three of their developments, Running Brook Farm, Duck Lake Crossing, and Vern's Landing, are situated in the greenest surroundings imaginable and are minutes from everywhere 20-something professionals want and need to be. All three offer homes with the upscale amenities found in new Chicago-area developments for considerably less.

"The real attraction out here for people my age is the price," Sieck said. "The thing is that you can buy now, while all this business and development is heading this way, and in a few years you will have this house you got for an excellent price and it will be in an even greater place."

Sieck is especially proud of the townhomes Reserve One offers at Running Brook Farm.

"I do like all of the townhouses we are building, especially the two-story plans," he said. "That's where the real value is. People around my age like townhouses because we don't have to spend a lot of time maintaining them."

Other standard features in Running Brook Farm townhomes include nine-foot ceilings, ceramic tile flooring in both the foyer and bathrooms, Chesapeake woodgrain interior doors and trim, first-quality wall-to-wall carpeting, designer-line vinyl flooring, walk-in closets, volume master bedroom ceilings, decorator light fixtures, custom-finished hardwood kitchen cabinets, double-bowl stainless steel kitchen sinks, a full-complement of quality kitchen appliances, and wood bathroom vanities with cultured-marbled tops.

Also included are maintenance-free insulated vinyl windows, vinyl siding, cultured stone accents, atrium doors to the back, and privacy fencing between backyards.

Luxury options include bay windows, a loft or second master suite, a fireplace, ceramic or wood floors, skylights, a whirlpool bath, chef-quality Cambria countertops, 42-inch kitchen cabinets, oak trim, and upscale hardware.

Two-story townhome models are the 1,533 square-foot Andalusian-2, base-priced at $196,990; the 1,493 square-foot Belgian-2 with an optional third bedroom, base-priced at $193,990; and the 1,464 square-foot Connemara, base-priced at $188,990.

It's worth noting that all Reserve One townhomes have basements and two-car garages - which are a rarity in the Chicago area.

The single-story, 1,088 square-foot Dartmoor townhome is base-priced at $206,990.

In addition to the townhomes, Running Brook Farm, and the two other nearby Reserve One developments offer smartly designed single-family homes with contemporary features.

Running Brook Farm is near Route 31 and Route 120. To get there; take Route 31 north to Route 120. Go east on Route 120, one-half mile to Riverside Drive. Turn north on Riverside and go two miles to Running Brook Farm Blvd., then follow the signs.

To get to Duck Lake Crossing, take Rand Road (Routes 12 and 59) north to Fox Lake. Then take the Route 59 turn-off and make a quick right onto Frontage Road, then turn left at Chris Larkin Road and go 1/4 mile to the model.

Vern's Landing is located at Deer Run and State Park Roads in Fox Lake. The sales center is located at Duck Lake Crossing

Both sales offices are open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sundays - or by appointment.

For more information on Running Brook Farm townhomes or single-family homes, call (815) 759-0808. For Duck Lake Crossing or Vern's Landing, call (847) 973-3400.