Top 10 Chicago-Area Neighborhoods Every VA Buyer Needs to Know in 2026
I’ve helped over 40 veterans and active-duty families buy homes in Chicagoland with their VA loan. These are the 10 neighborhoods I’m personally taking military clients to right now — because the numbers, schools, commutes, and seller motivation are lining up perfectly.
1. Pingree Grove / Hampshire (Kane County)
Price range: $350k–$520k
Why veterans love it: 2022–2025 construction everywhere, low Kane County taxes, 15 minutes to Elgin O’Hare Expressway
Current edge: Builders still offering 3–5% incentives + rate buydowns
2. Yorkville (Kendall County)
Price range: $380k–$580k
New high school just opened, massive inventory of 2-story homes with basements
Sellers & builders covering full VA funding fee on 60% of my offers right now
3. Grayslake / Round Lake Beach (Lake County)
Price range: $290k–$460k
Direct path to Naval Station Great Lakes (under 20 minutes with no traffic)
Metra line + tons of move-in-ready townhomes that are already VA-approved
4. Plainfield North (6040 & 60585 zips)
Best public schools in the western suburbs (Plainfield 202 district)
2020+ built inventory sitting 50+ days → sellers paying 3–4% concessions like clockwork
5. Huntley (McHenry County)
Del Webb Sun City for 55+ veterans + regular single-family under $500k
Huge veteran community, low taxes, I-90 access
6. Minooka / Channahon
Price range: $310k–$470k
Giant lots, newer schools, easy I-80 shot to Joliet or even Rock Island Arsenal if you’re Guard/Reserve
7. Shorewood (Will County)
Quiet, tree-lined streets but still 2022–2025 homes
Troy schools + 7 minutes to I-55/I-80 split
8. Volo / Lakemoor (Lake County)
Underrated pocket with brand-new Lennar & D.R. Horton neighborhoods
Prices $50k–$80k cheaper than Libertyville/Gurnee for the same house
9. Montgomery / Oswego (60538 & 60543)
Right on the Fox River, walk to downtown Oswego shops
Oswego 308 schools + sellers competing hard because inventory is stacked
10. South Elgin / St. Charles (Kane County)
Perfect if you work in the northwest suburbs or need quick 90/31 access
Mix of 1990s resales (big equity play) and brand-new construction
The Common Thread in All 10?
Days on market: 40–70
Price reductions on 40–55% of listings
Sellers and builders who now say “yes” when we ask for concessions and repairs
I keep an updated “Hot 50” list of the best current VA-friendly properties in these exact areas — refreshed every 48 hours.
I only work with military buyers. My phone is always on, and I answer my own texts.
Let’s go find your house before the spring crowd wakes up.
Alec Mancheski The Chicago VA Realtor® (773) 861-5115 Serving veterans, active-duty, Guard & Reserve full-time!
