Apartments for rent in Westmont, IL

Overview of Westmont

Westmont is a village located in DuPage County in the heart of Chicago's western suburbs. The village is home to more than 90 local eateries, 150 acres of parks and spans 6 square miles. Just 18 miles west of downtown Chicago, the quaint community is an ideal place to raise a family and all of the amenities of a world-class city are available nearby. Westmont is surrounded by some of Chicagoland's most picturesque communities such as Hinsdale, Downers Grove and Oak Brook. The village is served by several means of transportation including Interstate 55, I-294, I-355 and the Burlington-Northern railroad system. In addition, residents have quick access to O'Hare and Midway airports.

Westmont apartments for rent are emerged in a community where everyone knows their neighbors. Residents of Westmont enjoy the sense of togetherness that the village achieves with various community events, comforting neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown center. According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 24,800 residents live in Westmont today.

Living in Westmont, IL

The history of Westmont began in 1833 when the Potawatomi Indians resided there. After a meeting with the general council in Chicago, officials paid for the land they settled on and the Indians moved out of Illinois. The elaborate system of trails they had created later turned into the settler's first highways, which included the Buffalo Trail and the Ottawa and LaSalle Trail.

The first settler in DuPage County traveled through what is considered today as Westmont in 1829 on his way to the Naperville Settlement. When construction on the Illinois-Michigan canal began in the 1830s, the early growth of Westmont was impacted. After some settlers grew concerned over the standstill in construction, many of them plotted out farming land in the area. Because of the close proximity to Chicago, settlers knew they could sell their products. However, there was a nine mile swamp that spanned from the area to Chicago resulting in the construction of a plank road. This road allowed travelers to venture throughout the seasons, but maintenance was a major problem. Residents of the area were concerned about this problem and petitioned for a railroad.

After the construction of a railroad branch from Chicago to Aurora, farmers began shipping their products by train. The prosperity of fields and dairy farms caused a domino effect in the growth and formal plotting of land.

Westmont Work and Study

In DuPage County, there are many options for employment. Some of the top employers in the county include BP American, Argonne National Lab, United Parcel Service, Northern Illinois Gas, McDonald's Corporation and Navistar International.

Students looking for apartments in Westmont have plenty of options for post-secondary education in the region in and around the village. One of the country's biggest community colleges, College of DuPage is just a few minutes away in Glen Ellyn, which provides two-year degrees in various programs. Other schools include North Central College in Naperville, Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Concordia University in River Forest, and Benedictine University in Lisle.

Rentals in Westmont, IL and Cost of Living

Living in Westmont is fairly reasonably priced to fit any budget. According to Best Places, the overall cost of living is 14 points higher than the national average, food is 9 points higher and utilities are 2 points higher. Similarly, apartments are priced to accommodate moderate incomes. According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average cost of rentals in Westmont is $934.

Westmont Attractions and Special Events

One of the most beloved events in Westmont is the Annual Westmont Red, White & BBQ Contest, which has continued to grow in size each year. The event began in 2007 with 36 professional teams, six amateurs and roughly 2,500 visitors. By 2012, the festival sold out with 100 professional teams, 40 amateur competitors, a carnival, live music and more than 9,000 attendees.

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