Best Neighborhoods in Arlington Heights, IL

The best neighborhoods in Arlington Heights split along a clear line: subdivisions built between the 1940s and 1970s near the village core, and newer planned communities built from the late 1970s onward toward the northern and western edges. The older neighborhoods such as Scarsdale, Stonegate, and Surrey Ridge offer mature tree canopy, larger established lots, and walking distance to the Metra. The newer ones such as Terramere, Greenbrier, and Northgate offer bigger floor plans, attached garages, and modern layouts on slightly smaller lots.

Choosing between them usually comes down to three questions: how important is the train, which high school do you want, and do you prefer character or square footage? School boundaries are the detail that catches most buyers off guard, since Arlington Heights feeds five different high schools depending on address, including John Hersey, Prospect, Rolling Meadows, and Buffalo Grove. Two homes on the same block can land in different districts, so verify by street address rather than by neighborhood name.

Arlington Heights Neighborhood Comparison

Neighborhood	Era built	Character	Best suited to
Scarsdale	1940s to 1960s	Historic homes, heavy tree canopy	Buyers wanting character near downtown
Scarsdale Estates	1940s onward	Large custom estates on oversized lots	Move-up and luxury buyers
Stonegate	1940s to 1970s	Ranches, split levels, boulevard parks	Value buyers, first-time buyers
Ivy Hill	1960s to 1970s	Larger lots near Lake Arlington	Outdoor-oriented families
Terramere	Early 1980s	Planned subdivision, modern layouts	Families wanting newer construction
Greenbrier	1960s onward	Colonial revivals near green space	Young families
Surrey Ridge	1960s to 1970s	Split levels and colonial revivals	Budget-conscious buyers
Catino Estates	1957 onward	Established, spacious floor plans	Long-term owners
Northgate	Mid 1980s	Newer single-family homes	Buyers wanting low maintenance
Downtown core	Mixed, many post 2000	Condos and townhomes near Metra	Commuters and downsizers

Scarsdale and Scarsdale Estates

Scarsdale sits off Arlington Heights Road close to downtown and carries the strongest architectural identity in the village. Homes range from mid-century originals to substantially updated properties, the streets are lined with mature trees, and community events give the area a tight social fabric. Scarsdale Estates, stretching roughly from Central Road to Orchard Street, is the luxury tier: two and three-story homes frequently exceeding 5,000 square feet on lots measured in acres rather than feet, built across several decades with no two alike. Both areas command premium pricing and move quickly when listed.

Stonegate and Surrey Ridge

Stonegate sits south of Kensington Road and east of Dryden, filling in gradually from the late 1940s through the 1970s. The result is a mixed streetscape of ranches, split levels, and colonials rather than a single builder look. Mariano's and everyday retail are close, and the Metra makes a car-free commute practical. Surrey Ridge, south of Central Road and north of Golf Road, offers a similar 1960s and 1970s split-level and colonial revival stock with lower crime figures than national averages. Both represent the strongest value per square foot in the village.

Ivy Hill and Terramere

Ivy Hill sits on the north side with larger lots and homes close to the 50-acre Lake Arlington recreation area, which gives residents a two-mile loop path, fishing pier, and boat rentals essentially in the neighborhood. Terramere, built in the early 1980s just south of Lake Cook Road, is a planned subdivision with newer construction, full sun exposure, and proximity to Lake Terramere and the Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve. Terramere trades walkability for space and modern floor plans, and it sits farthest from the Metra stations of the neighborhoods listed here.

Downtown Arlington Heights

The blocks within a five to ten-minute walk of the Metra station along Campbell, Vail, Dunton, and Central rate as very walkable, well above the village average. Housing here is mostly condos and townhomes in buildings such as Towne Place and Village Green, priced from the mid 200s into the low 400s. Restaurants, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, the library, and the train are all within a few blocks, and many households keep one car instead of two. The trade-off is smaller square footage and monthly assessments.

What to Check Before You Commit

• Confirm elementary, middle, and high school assignment by exact street address.
• Ask about basement water history, since heavy clay soils are common across the village.
• Check whether the property falls under an HOA and what the assessments cover.
• Walk the block on a weekday evening to gauge traffic and street parking.
• Verify the distance to whichever Metra station you would actually use.
• Review the property tax bill for the specific parcel rather than the village median.

Getting Into Your New Neighborhood

Each of these neighborhoods presents a different moving day reality. Scarsdale has narrow older driveways and mature trees limiting truck clearance, downtown condo buildings require insurance certificates and reserved elevator windows, and Terramere and Northgate offer easy access but longer carries from curb to door. Our Arlington Heights movers have worked all of them, bringing a full-time, background-checked crew, flat rate pricing with no hidden stair or long carry fees, and full cargo coverage on every load. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the nicest neighborhood in Arlington Heights?

Scarsdale Estates is generally considered the most prestigious, with custom homes frequently exceeding 5,000 square feet on multi-acre lots. Scarsdale proper and Ivy Hill follow closely for character and location.

Which Arlington Heights neighborhood is best for families?

Terramere, Greenbrier, and Ivy Hill are the most family-oriented, offering newer homes, larger yards, and proximity to parks and forest preserves. Verify high school assignment by address, since the village feeds several districts.

What is the most affordable neighborhood in Arlington Heights?

Stonegate and Surrey Ridge typically offer the lowest cost per square foot, with mid-century ranches and split levels priced well below the village median. Downtown condos also provide an affordable entry point.

Which neighborhoods are walkable to the Metra?

The blocks around Campbell, Vail, Dunton, and Central within five to ten minutes of the downtown station are rated very walkable. Portions of Scarsdale and Stonegate are also within comfortable walking distance.

Does Arlington Heights have HOA neighborhoods?

Yes. Several planned subdivisions including Terramere and Ivy Hill carry HOA landscaping standards, and downtown condo buildings such as Towne Place and Village Green have monthly assessments. Older neighborhoods generally do not.

What high schools serve Arlington Heights neighborhoods?

John Hersey High School is located in the village, while other addresses feed Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Buffalo Grove, and Wheeling high schools within Township High School District 214. Assignment depends on the exact address.

Is downtown Arlington Heights a good place to live?

For commuters, downsizers, and anyone who values walkability, yes. Restaurants, theater, the library, and the Metra station are within a few blocks, though homes are mostly condos and townhomes with monthly assessments.

How quickly do homes sell in Arlington Heights neighborhoods?

Homes typically go under contract within a month to a month and a half, and well-priced listings in Scarsdale, Ivy Hill, and the downtown core often move considerably faster with multiple offers in spring.