From One Lifelong Resident to Another
By Kurt Huizinga
The Arlington Heights of just a few decades ago, when Nancy Lincoln of RE/MAX Suburban first moved into the quaint suburb, bears only a slight resemblance to today’s modern suburb. Back then, streets were sparse and populated more with people than cars, and farm stands and family shops abounded. The downtown area served as a true market and public meeting space; homes sat on larger lots along quiet residential streets.
Growing up in Arlington Heights, Nancy says she was fond of bowling at Beverly Lanes and hanging out at the drugstore or one of the area’s first McDonald’s, and recalls, “playing in the grassy parks near the train station, waiting for my father’s train to pull in.” She has great memories of community pride.
During her childhood, life seemed much simpler in Arlington Heights, where children were free to play throughout the neighborhood. She, like many other residents then, was unaware of the impending tide of development.
“While I was away at college, Arlington Heights was undergoing a lot of changes,” Nancy remembers.
After returning from her four-year sojourn, Nancy was immediately impressed with the growth and development that had taken place. “Streets that were once sparsely trafficked now were run by stoplights,” she said, “and older homes and neighborhoods were being replaced by expansive subdivisions and centralized retail centers.”
This growth, though unforeseen, was far from unwanted. With development came more opportunities for local jobs, commerce, increased tax revenues and corresponding improvements in quality of life and public services.
Nancy was so pleased with the direction in which her hometown had progressed that she purchased a home in Arlington Heights in 1977, and began practicing real estate there in 1988. She immediately recognized that Arlington Heights offered the very qualities and selling points upon which her profession depends, and the town in a way sold itself.
“I have raised my children on the same Arlington Heights streets,” Nancy said, “where they also enjoyed bowling at Beverly Lanes, attended the same church as I did as a child, and played in the same parks.” Though some things may have changed, they still took pleasure in the downtown area, the excitement on Arlington Park race days and smalltown friendliness.
Today Arlington Heights is still pushing on into the future, its growth carefully managed by a concerned local government that acts on behalf of its citizens’ best interests, delicately balancing safety with development.
“Arlington Heights’ present real estate climate is strong and active,” Nancy explained. “While, concurring with national trends, the average time homes spend on the market is increasing — about 80 days — the median sales price is around $445,000. At this point of development, many of the homes on the market will be torn down or significantly modernized.”
Arlington Heights continues to draw new residents who find here the perfect blend of suburban living — excellent schools, an abundance of parks, and maximum safety — with the centralization and amenities of urban areas. In addition to the steady stream of newcomers, lifetime residents like Nancy now raise their children in Arlington Heights, and while she plans to enjoy her retirement where she grew up, perhaps her children in turn will one day make it the home for their families.
