Moving to or from Naperville?
One of Chicago's wealthiest and most-admired western suburbs — perennially ranked among America's best places to raise a family, with top-tier schools (Naperville 203 and 204), a charming downtown Riverwalk, and a cluster of tech corporate HQs.
- 150,000 City population
- 9,500,000 Metro area
- 1831 Founded
- DuPage County / Chicago Western Suburbs Region
Why people move to Naperville.
- Being perennially ranked among America's best places to live and raise families
- Naperville 203 and Naperville 204 school districts — consistently top-rated in Illinois
- Corporate HQs including Nokia Bell Labs, Kraft Heinz tech, Edward-Elmhurst Health, and more
- The Naperville Riverwalk along the DuPage River — often called America's best small-city walk
- Naper Settlement — one of the Midwest's largest outdoor history museums
- Metra commuter rail service to Chicago via the BNSF line
Naperville's Naper Settlement is a 13-acre outdoor history museum with 30 preserved or replica buildings from the 1800s — one of the largest living-history villages in the Midwest. The city has also been named among the top five 'Best Places to Live' by Money magazine multiple times and routinely tops 'Best Cities to Raise a Family' lists. The downtown Riverwalk along the DuPage River is a 1.75-mile brick-paved path with fountains, bridges, and covered pavilions.
Where people live in Naperville.
A quick guide to Naperville's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Historic District (Downtown)
Walkable historic core with Riverwalk, restaurants, and Victorian homes nearby
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White Eagle
Upscale golf community with Arnold Palmer-designed course and executive homes
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Hobson West
Established family neighborhood with top-rated elementary schools
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Saybrook
Master-planned community with amenities and newer construction
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Country Lakes / Breckenridge
Upscale neighborhoods with mature landscaping
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Tall Grass
Newer far-west Naperville with family-oriented subdivisions
Where people spend their time in Naperville.
- Naperville Riverwalk Downtown
- Naper Settlement Downtown
- Centennial Beach Central Naperville
- Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve South Naperville
- DuPage Children's Museum Downtown
- Cantigny Park (nearby Wheaton) Wheaton
Planning a Naperville move.
- Naperville's reputation drives year-round housing demand; inventory is tight and bidding competitive especially in top school feeders
- Winter moves are challenging — heavy snow, ice, and cold snaps require weather flexibility from November through March
- Metra commuter rail on the BNSF line to Chicago Union Station makes Naperville a practical commute option (40-50 min)
- Many subdivisions have HOA restrictions on moving trucks; confirm parking and access rules before move day
Moving in Naperville: FAQ.
Why is Naperville so consistently on 'best places to live' lists?
The combination is hard to beat: top-ranked schools (Naperville 203 and 204), low crime rates, a walkable downtown with the Riverwalk, strong local economy with Nokia Bell Labs and other tech HQs, and proximity to Chicago via Metra. Income levels are among the highest in Illinois. The main trade-off is cost — housing prices reflect the amenities.
What's the difference between Naperville 203 and 204?
Two separate school districts serving different parts of Naperville. District 203 (Naperville Community Unit 203) covers the eastern/central portion and includes Naperville Central and North high schools. District 204 (Indian Prairie) covers the southern and western portions and includes Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, and Metea Valley high schools. Both are consistently top-ranked; specific neighborhoods feed specific schools.
How does Naperville compare to Wheaton or Hinsdale?
All three are affluent western suburbs with top-tier schools. Naperville is larger, has more commercial density, and has the best downtown via the Riverwalk. Wheaton is smaller and quieter with a more traditional college-town feel (Wheaton College). Hinsdale is even smaller and more exclusive, closer to Chicago, with even higher median home prices. Most families choose based on school district and commute.
What's the Metra commute to downtown Chicago?
40-50 minutes from Naperville or Route 59 stations to Union Station on the BNSF line. Service is frequent at rush hours (10-15 minute headways) and less frequent midday and evenings. Many Naperville residents commute to Chicago's West Loop or Loop financial district via Metra daily; others hybrid-remote with a few in-office days.
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