Summit, IL 503 Apartments for Rent

Ernest Hemingway used Summit for the setting of his short story "The Killers," published in 1927.

The Village of Summit, Illinois, is in Cook County near the Illinois and Michigan Canal (I & M Canal) that joins the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. The main roadways here are Route 55/Stevenson Expressway, Harlem Avenue and 1st Avenue. If you're looking for home rentals in Summit, the stats are in your favor since about 47% of residents here rent, which is more than the state average of 43% of renters. (CityData.com)

Moving to Summit

Are you waiting for the other shoe to drop? Well, think expensive shoes because the median rent in Summit is more than both the state and national average rental amount (AreaVibes.com). But all this really means is that you'll have to get your shoes a walkin' to really cover a lot of rental ground to find a place you love in your price range. Obviously, the competition for below-average rents in above average places is going to be tough, but the tough get going, right? Have your proof of income and a damage deposit in order if you hope to find an apartment in Summit.

Neighborhoods in Summit

With a size of only 2.26 square miles, the Village of Summit is too small to have neighborhoods. However, there are key streets and areas of town where you're likely to find apartments for rent as well as different amenities.

South Archer Avenue: Especially from 55th Place to 63rd Street off of South Archer Avenue, there's a variety of rental homes. There are 3 bedroom, 2 bath houses as well as 2- to 3-story apartment buildings with individual rental units. Commercial buildings, auto repair shops, banks, grocery stores and restaurants are also located in this area. When the craving for tasty food strikes during apartment hunting, try local favorite dishes like Moo Goo Gai Pan and Shrimp with Mixed Vegetables at the Great Wall Restaurant on 55th and South Archer.

South Archer Avenue and South Archer Road: This section of Summit includes 3 bedroom rental houses. If you're lucky, you may be able to find some smaller apartments or maybe even duplexes for rent here. The power of scouting out any For Rent signs shouldn't be underestimated! There are some great shopping destinations in this neighborhood, too, like Exodus Ink and Argo Summit Supply.

Harlem Avenue: Streets surrounding this main Summit thoroughfare contain rental apartment buildings and 3 bedroom houses for rent. Keep in mind that rental housing near this main street may be a bit pricier than in other sections of town, but you may also find some attractive townhouses or super cute apartments for rent. At the main intersection of Harlem Avenue and the Stevenson Expressway, there are clusters of apartments as well as banks and retail businesses. Valley Forge Park is a draw in this area, as are restaurants like Beefy's, a sandwich joint.

Living in Summit

To reach the businesses, shopping, schools and other amenities in Summit as well as for commuting, you may not necessarily need to drive, although most people here do. Many Summit residents also use public transportation since the Heritage Corridor Metra Line offers commuter rail service here, and there are also two bus routes. Pretty much all of the schools in Summit are clustered in the area of West 63rd Street to South 75th Avenue, so driving or busing it is desirable for residents on the opposite end of town.

For getting around this small village to run small errands, walking is an option, and Summit has a Walk Score of 54/100 since "some errands can be accomplished on foot." (WalkScore.com) Well obviously, a weekly grocery shop for four can't be accomplished on foot, while a coffee run can. You may want a vehicle for driving out to neighboring areas such as to Oakbrook about 20 minutes away to shop at the upscale Oakbrook Mall or to see creatures like the snow leopard or bottle-nosed dolphin at the Brookfield Zoo about a 10 minute drive from Summit. In Willow Springs off of South Archer Avenue, close to your new home in Summit, you may even spot a deer as you walk, hike or roller blade your way around the flat trails at the I & M Canal. Whatever you do in Summit, you're apt to enjoy your rental apt here!