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One of Illinois’ Oldest Cities Still Top Spot to Live,
Work, Play
The Reserve of St. Charles offers a scenic Fox River Valley setting complete with prairie grasses, mature trees
and walking trails
The city of St. Charles, Ill. has a rich history - one even older than Chicago's - and it remains a sought-after
location for people throughout the Chicagoland area. More than 33,000 Illinoisans live in the 180-year-old city,
which is known as the Pride of the Fox, and is home to the Kane County Fair, Kane County Flea Market,
Riverfest and Scarecrow Fest.
Founded in 1835, St. Charles was once a fairly isolated community with little in the way of infrastructure
connecting it to surrounding towns. Chicago - about 40 miles to the east - took three days to reach. Today, the
suburb is a top residential destination for anyone seeking entertainment and recreation amenities, top-rated
schools, convenient location and scenic Fox River Valley setting. And for homebuyers and renters alike, St.
Charles offers attractive housing options.
"Anyone in the market to purchase a new home will make a great investment buying in St. Charles," said Brian
Brunhofer, president of Meritus Homes, which offers semi-custom and custom homes at The Reserve of St.
Charles, a new-construction community three miles north of downtown St. Charles and less than one mile from
acclaimed St. Charles North High School. "With such a solid community infrastructure in the way of a vibrant
downtown, strong schools and a great park district, this is an area that has held its value and will continue to be
sought-after among buyers."
According to Brunhofer, the for-sale inventory in St. Charles includes a mix of older existing homes as well as
new-construction communities that offer opportunities for customization.
"Because St. Charles is such an established, in-demand area, the price point for new-construction homes tends
to be higher," said Brunhofer. "In that price range, buyers want the opportunity to tailor their home to match
their lifestyle for years to come. We have found our semi-custom building approach to be extremely popular
here, since it lets buyers truly put their stamp on the home and ensure it has all the modern conveniences and
floor plan elements they want, as well as finishes that reflect their personal style."
Located amid 56 acres of conservation areas and wetlands, The Reserve of St. Charles offers a scenic Fox River
Valley setting complete with prairie grasses, mature trees and walking trails. As a semi-custom community, The
Reserve of St. Charles gives buyers the opportunity to either work with Meritus to tailor an existing floor plan
from the builder's portfolio to their personal needs, or partner with the Meritus custom-build team to create a
brand new design. Semi-custom home packages, which include oversized home sites measuring 1/3 of an acre
or more, are priced from $495,900.
St. Charles is equally popular among renters, too, because of the variety of rental options for young couples,
professionals, families and downsizers.
"While St. Charles is known for its handsome and often historic single-family homes, there are also many
choices for those who prefer to rent at an apartment community," said Diana Pittro, executive vice president of
RMK Management Corp. "Whether because of a job relocation, the top-notch schools or simply because renting
is a better lifestyle fit, leasing has always been a very popular choice in this area."
Pittro also noted because of the higher purchase price of homes in St. Charles, renting can be more
economically friendly to someone's housing budget.
Pittro's firm, RMK Management, oversees leasing and management for Firethorne Luxury Apartments, located
just east of Randall Road and Main Street in St. Charles. The community offers two-bed, two-bath apartment
homes along with a host of amenities, including a swimming pool with a sundeck, tennis courts and onsite
management and maintenance.
Families, couples, professionals and downsizers alike appreciate not only the community's club-style amenities,
but also the maintenance-free lifestyle of renting, Pittro said. "It's such a great benefit to have these appealing
amenities without having to care for them. And, of course, residents don't miss mowing the lawn or shoveling
the snow."
However, Pittro noted, one of the biggest perks of Firethorne Apartments is its location. "St. Charles has so
much to offer, and this community offers proximity to it all. Our renters can walk to the Fox River, jump in the
car and pop over to the Charlestowne Mall or take a quick trip to the historic downtown," she said.
Pittro and Brunhofer agree it's these myriad entertainment and recreation options, coupled with the variety of
housing options, that make St. Charles such a sought-after spot to call home.
For more information on the city of St. Charles, visit www.stcharlesil.gov; for more information on Meritus
Homes, visit www.meritushomebuilders.com; and to learn more about RMK Management Corp., visit
www.rmk.com.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/batavia-geneva-st-charles/community/chi-ugc-article-one-of-illinoisoldest-cities-still-top-spot-2015-03-16-story.html
3/16/15