Downers Grove is an established suburb in DuPage County, west of the city, known for its mature tree-lined neighborhoods and a walkable historic downtown. The housing skews older and full of character in the central neighborhoods, with vintage homes and classic architecture, and there's newer construction and updated homes mixed throughout. The downtown, anchored by the restored Tivoli Theatre, gives the town a real center.
For buyers, the combination of character and commute is the draw. Downers Grove has several Metra stops on the BNSF line, so a downtown-Chicago trip is easy and frequent, and the central neighborhoods put you within walking distance of the downtown and a station. Homes here reward a careful look, since the age and condition vary a lot between a restored vintage house and a newer build, but the established feel and the commute keep the town in demand.