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Like many Americans, if you are considering moving to Chicago anytime soon, you might want to consider settling down in one of its most significant suburbs, Bolingbrook. Residents of this alluring suburb love it for its proximity to the city of Chicago and its diverse population. If that sounds like your ideal new home, moving to Bolingbrook might just be the suburb you have been looking for.

Whether you are moving to Chicago alone or with children, there is so much to explore and enjoy in the quaint town of Bolingbrook. In this guide, you will find a variety of tips for moving to Chicago, as well as information about Bolingbrook’s history, climate, and local attractions. Moreover, this guide also contains a host of information about moving to Bolingbrook, moving companies in Chicago, and the various storage solutions you can make the most of during your big move. 

Before moving to Chicago, and particularly the Bolingbrook area, it might be worth exploring the rich history of the region. The earliest residents of the area now known as Bolingbrook were the native Potawatomi people. Records show that when the French arrived in the region, the Potawatomi formed close political and economic alliances with them, trading fur and fur products made from wild animals in the region. Years after the American Revolution, a 10-mile wide area in this region was passed down to the U.S. government, surrendered by the Potawatomi.

While Bolingbrook has all the makings and charm of an old-world town, it was actually first incorporated in the year 1965. However, the first American settlements in the area can be traced to the nineteenth century, as far back as the year 1831. At that time, and for more than a century afterward, the farming villages, while thriving and well-populated, had not yet been formally incorporated.

Some of the first settlers in the region in the early 1830s were farmers. One of the most renowned among them was Captain John Barber of Vermont who purchased 211 acres of land in the region and opened a successful dairy farm. The area was named ‘Barber’s Corners’ and although never officially incorporated, it remains the official title on the plaque erected there to commemorate one of Bolingbrook’s first families. Other settlers from Vermont also started moving to Bolingbrook and established their own trade in the form of mills, factories, and taverns.

For decades, the way of life in this region remained rural and agricultural. However, in the late 1950s, this area witnessed a huge housing boom. This was largely owed to the passing of Interstate Highway Act of 1956 by former President Dwight Eisenhower. The construction of the superhighway that followed, Interstate 55, helped make travel to and from Chicago much faster. This superhighway ended up being located close to the Bolingbrook region, and people moving to Chicago for work opportunities began inhabiting the Bolingbrook area for this convenience.

The first subdivision established in Bolingbrook was Westbury to the west of Route 53 by the Dover Construction Company. After that, an even larger subdivision east of Route 53, known as Colonial village was established. In 1963, an attempt was made to incorporate these two subdivisions, but to no avail. However, in the year 1965, this attempt was a success, and the town of Bolingbrook was officially incorporated.

Over the following years and decades, thousands of Americans started moving to Bolingbrook and the adjoining areas to plant their roots. The town became a popular suburban region to settle in for those moving to Chicago for employment opportunities. In the 1970s, the population of Bolingbrook grew to nearly 7,600 due to the influx of newcomers. By the 1980s the population had increased to over 37,000 residents. 

Whether you are moving to Chicago alone or with your family, you will find Bolingbrook to be a thriving and diverse community. While living in Chicago can get expensive, moving to Bolingbrook, or the nearby suburbs, can offer a far more economical cost of living for individuals and families.

The median income for a household in Sunset Valley is about $76,392, while the median income for a family is around $82,462. The city of Bolingbrook has a cost of living index of 97, lower than the national benchmark of 100. In almost all categories except housing, Bolingbrook has a lower cost of living index than the national average. This applies to essential resources such as groceries, health, utilities, and transportation. For expenses related to moving, you can contact one of the many moving companies in Chicago and find efficient storage solutions at lucrative prices.

On spare days, residents can be seen enjoying nature in spots like the Johansen Farms. When moving to Chicago, this popular nursery and garden center might just become your favorite place if you have a passion for gardening. Upon moving, you can bring along your own set of gardening tools and equipment and store it in a portable storage box offered by moving companies in the area.

Moreover, the Johansen Farms display and sell a large variety of plants and flowers. The Johnsen Farms are an ideal spot for weekend trips with children in the Autumn since they are known for their pumpkin patches, corn mazes and mini zoos. 

One of the more interesting things to know before moving to Bolingbrook, is that the community centers itself around two big passions – golf and aviation. Golf is a popular sport in this region with Bolingbrook being home to the 9-hole Boughton Ridge Golf Course, which is operated by the Bolingbrook Park District. Apart from this, there are also a number of other golf courses in the area such as the 18-hole Bolingbrook Golf Club, the Naperbrook Golf Club, the Tamarack Golf Club, and the Wedgewood Golf Club.

If that isn’t exciting enough, Bolingbrook also gives golfers the opportunity to practice near waterfalls. The Wilderness Falls is a popular hangout in the town, where you can play golf on top of a 35 foot waterfall on the Bear Course. Another adventurous course, known as the Eagle Course, requires golfers to climb a 40-foot high mountain and cross rivers. If you are an avid golfer, bring along your own set of clubs and make use of self-storage units during your big move. You can contact one of the moving companies in Chicago for more information on renting the right storage solutions for you.

The Bolingbrook community is also passionate about aviation, with the city being home to the state’s Illinois Aviation Museum. The museum was established in 2004 and is housed within the Clow International Airport, which is currently owned by the village of Bolingbrook. The museum contains historic and prestigious aviation collections and allows visitors to experience the joy of flying through The Young Eagles program. 

If you are moving to Chicago with kids, you will find comfort in knowing that the suburb of Bolingbrook has an excellent education system. Most of the city falls under the Valley View School District 365. Among the schools in this district are the highly-ranked Bernard J. Ward Elementary School, the Independence Elementary School, the Hubert H. Humphrey Middle School, Jane Addams Middle School, Bolingbrook High School, and Brooks High School. The city also has an alternative school in the form of the STEP Program as well as various prestigious private schools such as the St. Dominic School and the Furqaan Academy.

The standard of education in the city is high, with the city spending as much as $13,729 per student compared to the national average of $12,383 per student. As much as 90% of the population are at least high school graduates, while 37% are college graduates and a further 7% are currently attending college in the city.

It goes without saying that one of the first things to know before moving to Chicago and Bolingbrook is the region’s climate. Like most Chicagoland areas, moving to Bolingbrook will mean experiencing a largely hot humid continental climate. However, residents of the city can distinctly experience the changes in the four seasons throughout the year. The average temperature in Bolingbrook ranges between 17°F and 84°F. It rarely, if ever, falls below freezing or rises higher than 92°F. According to an analysis by Best Places, the Comfort Index for Bolingbrook is 6.9 out of a possible 10.

The summer is long, warm and quite humid, lasting approximately 4 months from May to mid-September. The average day temperature during these months can be about 73°F, with July being the hottest of these months. This period can also be pretty muggy, with high humidity levels through the months that can make being indoors uncomfortable. If you are moving to Chicago and have a dehumidifier, you can contact moving companies in Chicago for suitable storage solutions to bring the appliance along. You can use a self-storage option or rent out a portable storage box. Either way, the appliance will definitely come in handy during the grueling humidity of the Bolingbrook summer.

In contrast, the winters in Bolingbrook are cold and snowy. Like the summers, the winters in Bolingbrook also last 4 months out of the year, from mid-November to late March. Most of this snowfall is typically seen in February when temperatures also reach some of the lowest levels in the region.

The average high temperatures recorded during winter is about 41°F. The coldest days of the year are typically recorded during late January and February, with an average low of about 17°F. If you have heavy coats or jackets to help you brave these temperatures but have a problem with storage in Chicago, you can contact one of the many moving companies in the area. You can rent out storage containers to stow these away as well as other seasonal necessities until the time is right.

The city of Bolingbrook also experiences seasonal rainfall, typically throughout the year but particularly in the month of June. On average, the city experiences about 39 inches of rain every year, higher than the national average of 38 inches. The city also experiences a relatively windy season lasting for about 7 months, from October to May. 

Before moving to Chicago, it might be worth getting an idea of how close the Bolingbrook suburb is located with respect to the city. The village of Bolingbrook is a distance of 28 miles, or 45 kilometers, to the southwest of Downtown Chicago. The momentous Interstate 55 is also known as the Stevenson Expressway among local residents. This superhighway runs through the south part of Bolingbrook in a northeast direction. In the southwest direction, the superhighway can take commuters to the nearby towns of Joliet and Plainfield. In total, Bolingbrook covers an area of 24.30 square miles, with 24.09 square miles being land, and 0.21 square miles of water. The Bolingbrook village area falls under Will County as well as DuPage County. This region is well known for its wooded conservation areas and nearby forest preserves. 

According to the 2010 US Census, Bolingbrook has an overall population of more than 73,300 residents. With the number of people moving to Chicago in recent years, this number is estimated to have grown up to 74,545 since 2019. It is the second-largest village in Illinois, and the 19th largest incorporated region in the state. Bolingbrook has a population density of about 3,100 per square mile.

If you are moving to Chicago with kids, the village of Bolingbrook might just be the perfect place for your family to get settled down. As per the 2000 Census, the town of Bolingbrook is home to more than 17,416 households and 14,246 families. Almost half of the households in 2000 had children under the age of 18, and almost 67% of households were occupied by married couples. Moreover, the average family size in this city is about 3.22, which is much larger than the national average of 2.6. The community of Bolingbrook is ideal for married couples and for raising new families.

However, even if you are moving to Chicago alone, the suburb of Bolingbrook might still be the right place for you. The median age in the city is about 31 years, with about 9% of the population ranging from 18 to 24 and 35% ranging from 25 to 44. 18% of households in the area are composed of non-families, and almost 15% of all households are occupied by a single individual.

The city of Bolingbrook also prides itself on its racially and linguistically diverse population. According to the US Census, the racial composition of the population in Bolingbrook is 48% white, 19% Black or African American, 12% Asian, 15% of other races, and 5% of two or more races. 65% of the population speaks English as their primary language, 20% of the population speaks Spanish, 8% of the population speaks various Indo-European languages while 5% speak Asian and Pacific Island languages. If you are moving to Chicago and looking to settle down in a town that fosters a diverse community, Bolingbrook may be suitable for you.

The opportunities presented by Chicago and the Bolingbrook area bring a number of people to the region every year. To help them with their move, there are a number of moving companies in Chicago established to provide these families and individuals with the storage solutions they require. 

While Bolingbrook is the quaint, charming town that its residents admire, it also offers a host of attractions and adventures that will keep you entertained. Moving to Chicago will surely prove to be an exciting step for you and your family.

Primarily, there is the Bolingbrook Park District that offers a variety of programs and recreational activities all year. The Park District was first created in 1970 and erected its first building, the Deatherage-Drdak Center, almost entirely by the voluntary labor provided by the community of Bolingbrook. Over the past several years, the Park District has worked hard to provide parks, community centers, and other attractions for the citizens of Bolingbrook as well as the adjoining Chicagoland suburbs.

One of the major attractions offered by this Bolingbrook Park District is the Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm, which is a 15-acre wooded sanctuary where people can indulge in sport fishing and wildlife watching all year round. The area is perfect for a weekend trip or a family picnic. The land encompasses four lakes and grass areas with benches and trails for walking and biking.

If you too love hiking, biking, fishing, and engaging in nature, make sure to bring your outdoor gear along during the big move. You can stow away your fishing gear, your backpacks, and even your cherished bicycle in one of the many convenient storage units in Chicago available for rent, or you can contact moving companies to assist with this move. You can even store your gear in a portable storage box, suited for your requirements.

If you are moving to Chicago with kids, this is also a wonderful place to bring them along. The Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm has an excellent learning center for providing children education about the area.

Another delightful spot popular among Bolingbrook residents is the Hidden Oaks Nature Center, which is situated inside the Annandale District Park covering over 80 acres of woodlands. This Nature Center was first opened in the year 2009 and is entirely built from recycled materials. It features expansive gardens, nature trails, various exhibits, animal displays and is also a popular spot for annual field trips and summer camps.

Apart from this, Bolingbrook is also home to the spectacular Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park. This park ranks among the top of Bolingbrook’s best attractions. It is an indoor and outdoor water park that comes with all the works – water slides, a diving well, lazy river, lap pools, and much more. It is also an ideal place to bring your kids along for a swim lesson with the aquatic park’s highly trained swim instructors. This spot is the local go-to for outdoor events, family trips and birthday parties. When your swim gear is not in use, you can easily rent out a self-storage unit from one of the many professional moving companies in Chicago. 

If you are moving to Chicago for work, you might find comfort in knowing that the employment in Bolingbrook is trending upwards. In recent years, the town of Bolingbrook has seen a steady rise in its employment rates as well as various developments in its industrial landscape. According to reports as recent as 2019, 24 companies have established their headquarters in Bolingbrook. Out of these, the largest companies are the national cosmetic brand ULTA Beauty and the floor liner manufacturer, WeatherTech.

The average income of a Bolingbrook resident amounts to about $28,049 a year, which is well-matched with the US average of $28,555 a year. The city’s future job growth in the next 10 years is predicted to be about 28.4%. As a result, there might be a number of people moving to Bolingbrook in the near future in search of job opportunities.

About 20% of the city’s residents are employed in health care and social assistance services, 12% in manufacturing, 11% in retail trade, 8% in accommodation and food services, and 7% in professional, scientific and technical services. Several residents of Bolingbrook also commute to the nearby city of Chicago for work. While many people commute with their own private vehicles, the city itself is incredibly biker-friendly. If you love regularly taking your bicycle out to travel around town, you can bring your bicycle along in a storage container offered by moving companies in the area. You can check out a number of moving companies in Chicago and find the rates, deals and storage solutions that work for you. 

Whether you are moving to Chicago for work, to be closer to family or simply for a fresh start, the village of Bolingbrook is filled with attractions, adventures, and pleasant experiences. To get started in the city, make sure to do your fair share of research and reach out to only the best moving companies on the market.