Winfield, IL 304 Apartments for Rent

Although the town wasn't incorporated until 1921, its history dates back to the 1830s, when it was dubbed Gary's Mill after an early pioneer. (The name still exists in a two mile stretch of road.) In 1873, the town assumed its current designation from Winfield Scott, a U.S. Army general and Whig Party candidate for president in 1852.

It's only a slight exaggeration to say that finding parking in Chicago takes longer than taking the train from Winfield. That's why many commuters make their home in this incorporated village. If you want to join their ranks, expect a respite from crowds, noise and graffiti. You won't even have to leave the hamlet for after-work amusement if you like the natural fun of forest preserves and waterways.

Renting in Winfield

You won't find any apartments for rent in Winfield because the village contains no traditional complexes. The nearest such residences are in nearby Wheaton and Naperville. That's not to say you won't find any month-to-month choices as long as you're willing to contend with rental houses and their individual owners. Something else you won't find in Winfield are neighborhoods since it's only an incorporated village. Remember, good things can come in small packages!

You won't get clubhouses or instantly addressed maintenance requests, but you'll find a bigger variety of home styles from detached homes to townhouses for rent. Everyone could always use more room! You'll also get more leeway in negotiating everything from rental payments and security departments to move-in dates and utilities. Just be sure to back up your pleas with excellent credit and letters of recommendation from your current and previous landlords.

As for what you can expect to live in, the average village home was built in 1983 with 1,744 square feet of living space. Over 96 percent of options consist of single-family homes. Over half of all residences were built from 1980 to 1999 and only 6 percent came up during the 21st century. Almost 29 percent of all floor plans cover 1,000 to 1,400 square feet, with the rest almost evenly divided between 1,400 and 3,600 square feet. You won't lack for space when renting a home in Winfield.

What to Do in Winfield

The village is surrounded on several sides by county forest preserves. One example consists of the woodland and prairie landscapes of West DuPage Woods. Here, you can picnic, take hiking trails up to two miles long, or fish for carp and bluegill on the DuPage River. Other waterways include Winfield Creek and scattered lakes around town. You can play on the more manufactured greens of the Royal Golf Club at Klein Creek with 18 holes stretching over 6,700 yards.

Although the village has a few stores and restaurants, including a tavern dating back to 1921, most residents flee to nearby cities for shopping and dining. The Westfield Fox Valley Shopping Mall in Aurora boasts the most options with 150 retailers anchored by Sears and Macy's. Bargain hunters can trek to the Premium Outlet Mall, also in Aurora, to get designer brands at lower prices.

While public transit is available on the Metra Trains and Pace Buses, most villagers depend on their personal wheels to get around. Fortunately, parking is relatively easy, although prohibited on the streets from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., and after a heavy snow to allow for snow plows. You can get free permits for overnight parking from the police department or paid permits for parking in the commuter lots near the train station.