Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake, Illinois, located 50 miles northwest of Chicago, is a short drive from O'Hare International Airport, near several major highways and interstates. The Union Pacific rail line provides easy access to Chicago. As a result, Crystal Lake residents enjoy the many employment, cultural and recreational opportunities of a major metro city yet live in a pleasant, friendly, small-town atmosphere. Crystal Lake boasts three of the very best public school systems in the region. Crystal Lake is truly a great place to live and work and it's also a great place to play Today, Crystal Lake has a population in excess of 41,000, largest in McHenry County.

The land around the lake, called "clear as crystal," was first populated by Sacs and Fox Indians.  With the defeat of Blackhawk in 1832, the United States government became the receiver of these prairie lands which encouraged the families of Crandall and Beardsley to homestead in 1836 and 1837.  Others soon followed.  In 1839-40 their village was laid out, which was until then called "Crystal Ville."  It centered around a public square where the Chamber offices are now located.

• Welcome To Crystal Lake
• Crystal Lake Chamber Of Commerce

Health Care

Five area hospitals:Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Centegra Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock, Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry, Provena-St. Joseph and Sherman Health provide services.

Long and short term care is available at Crystal Pines Health Care Center, Fair Oaks Health Care Center, The Fountains at Crystal Lake, and Sunrise Assisted Living -- all in Crystal Lake.

Buying Land and New Construction >Building Considerations Are you planning to build your dream home? Once you are pre-approved for a loan and have found a professional real estate agent you trust, you are ready to start looking for the perfect lot. Compare the qualities of several target neighborhoods by looking at schools, shopping, recreation and zoning. Make sure that the zoning regulations allow you to build the size and height of the home you want. Find out if there are use restrictions that would prevent you from developing your property as you intend. A visit to the local planning department will clarify your options for building. Consider what type of home would best suit your lifestyle. Create a checklist to itemize the "must-have" interior and exterior features of a house that you feel are absolute requirements. Make notations about yard size, paint, roof and window conditions for the exterior, and floor plan, room quality and condition of the appliances for the interior. Bring your lists to your real estate agent. Together you can look over the currently available properties that correspond to your needs. See All Tips In The "Buying Land and New Construction" Category > See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories >

Q  What is the fastest-growing state in the U.S.? A  Nevada, for the 19th consecutive year, according to 2005 Census Bureau statistics. See More Real Estate Trivia >

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