What is a Split Floorplan?
Plainfield, Illinois has grown beyond its roots as a charming small town to become one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Chicagoland, and for good reason. With a blend of top-rated schools, beautiful parks, diverse housing options, and a strong sense of community, this Southwest suburb is attracting homebuyers who want more space, more value, and a higher quality of life.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, looking to upgrade, or relocating to the Chicago area, here’s why now is the perfect time to make a move to Plainfield.
A Top Choice for Families
Plainfield is a welcoming place for families at any stage—whether you're raising kids, caring for aging parents, or simply looking to put down roots in a community that offers long-term value. With excellent schools, low crime rates, and a wide array of parks, sports complexes, and local amenities, it's easy to build a fulfilling lifestyle here.
The village consistently ranks among the best places to live in Illinois thanks to its blend of small-town warmth and suburban convenience.
A Fast-Growing Suburb With Long-Term Value
As one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Chicago area, Plainfield offers a unique opportunity to invest in a community on the rise. New developments, infrastructure improvements, and a thriving local economy are fueling continued demand for homes. Buying here now means getting ahead of rising property values while securing your spot in a town with serious upward momentum.
Ample New Construction Opportunities
Compared to many nearby suburbs, Plainfield offers more square footage and newer homes for your money. It’s one of the few places in Chicagoland where you can still find brand new homes with modern layouts, energy-efficient features, and customizable finishes without sacrificing location or convenience.
M/I Homes has worked with the Village of Plainfield for many years to develop communities of new construction homes for sale in Plainfield.
A Short Drive to Downtown Chicago
Plainfield provides a peaceful, suburban lifestyle while keeping you connected to the city. With easy access to I-55, I-80, and several nearby Metra stations, commuting to Chicago or other suburbs is surprisingly simple. You get all the benefits of suburban living without losing touch with the vibrant city life just 35 miles away.
Plainfield, IL School District
Plainfield is well known for its highly rated school system, from preschool and elementary all the way through high school. For those young families looking for consistent and excellent education throughout their children’s entire upbringing, Plainfield schools offers just that with its strong leadership, collaborative teachers, and a solid curriculum at each stage of learning.
According to greatschools.org, “64% of the schools in Plainfield School District #202 ranked above average in school quality,” and when it comes to academics, “54% of students in Plainfield schools are marking more academic progress than their peers at other schools in the state.”
For high school students, an impressive lineup of up to 27 sports programs are available to enhance athletic ability, from competitive dance, swimming, football, competitive cheer, basketball, and golf to name a few.
Also accessible are other programs and activities, such as Career Education Events, a Mentoring Program, a Tutoring Program, Drama/Theatre, Marching Band, Learning Lab, National Honor Society, and Student Ambassadors.
Plainfield North High School and Plainfield East High School score a 10/10 for college and career readiness—far above the state average for those key measures.
A Thriving Downtown Scene
The revitalized downtown area is one of Plainfield’s biggest draws. From locally owned boutiques and cafes to seasonal events like Plainfield Fest and the farmers' market, there’s always something happening in the heart of town.
Downtown Plainfield boasts a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere for shopping, dining, and entertainment set against a backdrop of many beautifully restored historic buildings with plenty of parking. There are over a dozen restaurants in Plainfield along Main Street that appeal to every palate, including those with young children.
Check out Sovereign, a farm-to-table restaurant offering indoor and outdoor dining with a diverse menu and known for their crafts beers and cocktails. If you’re looking for an eclectic medley of Asian food, head over to MORA Asian Fusion for some pan-Asian tapas and sushi. HopScotch & Vine, a family-run restaurant, prides itself on its exceptional service, excellent food and its lavish ambiance.
Not only does the downtown area offer one-of-a-kind eateries, but it also boasts a handful of boutiques, where you can shop for unique clothes, accessories, and home goods.
Beautiful Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Plainfield is known for its well-maintained park system, forest preserves, and walking trails. Enjoy exploring Settlers’ Park, savoring a picnic at Lake Renwick Preserve, or taking part in recreation programs through the Plainfield Park District.
The Plainfield Park District has an all-encompassing recreational program for everyone, especially for young families. There are childhood enrichment options, dance, several athletic opportunities, an equestrian center, fitness facilities, parks, and special events.
It’s the 9th largest park district in the state of Illinois, maintains more than 90 parks, and has 7 building sites—Normantown Equestrian Center, Ottowa Street Pool, Streams Dance Studio, and Prairie Activity & Recreation Center to name some.
The Ottowa Street Pool is fully equipped with high and low diving boards, lap lanes, a deck for sun-bathing, and a separate enclosed tot wading area—the perfect community pool to cool off during those hot summer months.
The 40,000 square foot Prairie Activity & Recreation Center includes a full-size gym, a 4,000-square foot fitness center, a fitness studio, an elevated walking track, 4 preschool classrooms, and a multi-purpose room to host any birthday parties or large family reunions.
A Family-Friendly Community Calendar
With its strong community ties, the village of Plainfield sure knows how to keep its residents engaged all year round with loads of family-friendly things to do.
During the summer, the village is known for its ever popular Plainfield Cruise Nights hosted every Tuesday evening during June, July, and part of August. Local car enthusiasts gather to showcase their classic and unique cars during this ultimate car show where they close off W Main Street in the downtown area. Hundreds of people of all ages show up to admire the stunning lineups of vehicles, savor some local street eats, and get a buzz off the energy-filled event.
Not too far from W Main Street is Settler's Park, home to the Village’s annual summer concert series at the Amphitheater, showcasing a variety of local bands and musicians where you can bring your own lawn chairs to sit back, relax, and listen to some tunes.
On beautiful warm nights, families can enjoy Movies in the Park to watch family-friendly movies creating wonderful summer memories.
During the cooler months, the downtown area hosts an annual “Halloween Spooktacular” for some trick-or-treating fun and a costume contest for the little ones.
Every year, the Chamber of Commerce hosts a Candlelight Christmas event that includes pictures with Santa, sleigh rides, crafts, and holiday dance performances.
Check out the village’s jam-packed community calendar for more things to do in Plainfield, IL!
If you’re looking for a place with lasting value, space to grow, and strong community connections, Plainfield is an ideal choice. With its rapid growth, welcoming atmosphere, and range of home options, it’s easy to see why so many buyers are choosing to call this suburb home.
I know there is a lot to consider when moving your family to a new city. To learn more about this great Illinois town or M/I Homes, contact me for more information any time!
Recommended Stories
Moving to Nashville: A Guide to the City and Its Suburbs
