Sugar Grove has quiet, country charm; ideal for families

A small community with a quiet, country charm, sense of family and friendly neighborhoods, Sugar Grove offers an ideal place to raise a family.

"Sugar Grove has a nice hometown feel where you know everybody and see everybody at the post office and grocery store," said Melissa Garcia, Realtor with Kettley Realtors. "I believe you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't love it here."

Garcia and her husband Jose have been residents of Sugar Grove for 17 years and enjoy singing the town's praises. "We love the small-town feel of the community, and when we moved in our neighbors were wonderful. We couldn't ask for better neighbors for us and our son. They are a wonderful mix of people - retirees and families with little kids, teenagers and college students."

Sugar Grove was predominantly a farming community until the early 1960s when residential development began on the east side of Route 47 and extended to its west side.

"We still have some beautiful farmhouses and rural housing past Waubonsee (Community College) on an acre or more. We have some of the older solid brick ranches that started the community in the 1960s and many well-established subdivisions and new developments.

"We have a diverse range of housing from starter homes for around $200,000 to beautiful, high-end properties that are absolutely gorgeous that go for more than $1 million."

Realtor Cathy Peters, who grew up in nearby Elburn, also lives in Sugar Grove with her husband, Mike. Peters finds that a lot of people who grew up in Sugar Grove chose to stay and raise their own families in the community.

"We're still a small town, but growth is up and coming. We already have Jewel-Osco, and Walgreens is a sure thing by the end of next year. Land at Galena and 47 is slated for our retail growth and is being graded right now."

With immediate access to I-88, ease of commuting is also a key attraction for the community, Peters said. And people who live in south Naperville even find it closer to catch I-88 from here. Three train stations serve the area - Aurora, Elburn and LaFox, she said.

"We have a great park district that has really developed and grown during the last few years," Peters said. "I have two boys, 12 and 14, and they use all the park district amenities. When they were younger, they didn't have preschool and other programs set up then, but now they have tons of offerings.

"Our park district now works with the Fox Valley Park District, so we're able to get a membership and use all their facilities at resident prices."

For other recreation, golf is a popular sport in the area with several golf courses within easy driving distance of Sugar Grove, including Bliss Creek and Orchard Valley, both challenging and well laid out courses. Forest preserves also provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors.

Enhancing its down-home feel, Sugar Grove hosts a number of community events each year for residents to get together in the community. And if there isn't enough excitement in Sugar Grove, residents can check out neighboring North Aurora, which hosts North Aurora Days with a variety of entertainment and activities.

Sugar Grove is a convenient, safe and friendly suburb where families are involved in the community, Garcia said.

"People care about the community and what happens in the future."