I've written before about Crystal Lake, Huntley, and Geneva — the three towns that come up most when buyers first call me. But some of the best value in McHenry and Kane counties sits just next door to those towns, in communities that don't always make the "best suburb" lists but absolutely should.
Algonquin, Cary, and Lake in the Hills sit along or near the Fox River, share overlapping school boundaries with the bigger-name towns nearby, and consistently offer more house for the money. Here's what each one actually offers.
Algonquin: Fox River Access With Room to Grow
Algonquin sits right on the Fox River, and the town has leaned into that — river access, parks, and a walkable historic downtown along Main Street that hosts Founders' Days and a steady calendar of community events. Randall Road runs along the edge of town, so daily errands and dining options are never far, without the retail sprawl swallowing the residential neighborhoods.
Schools: Most of Algonquin falls within Community Unit School District 300, home to Jacobs High School. D300 is one of the larger districts in the region, with a wide range of AP offerings and extracurriculars that come with that size.
Housing: Algonquin offers a genuine mix — established ranch and split-level neighborhoods from the 80s and 90s alongside newer subdivisions on the town's outer edges. Typical detached homes run $320,000–$450,000, with entry points below that in older neighborhoods closer to downtown.
Bottom line: If river access and a walkable downtown matter to you but Geneva's price tag doesn't work, Algonquin is the closest thing to that lifestyle at a more accessible price point.
Cary: The Quiet One With Its Own Metra Stop
Cary doesn't get talked about as much as its neighbors, and I think that's mostly because it doesn't need to shout. It's a smaller, quieter community tucked along the Fox River with direct Metra access on the Union Pacific Northwest Line — a real advantage for commuters, since not every northwest suburb can say that.
Schools: Cary School District 26 covers elementary and middle school, feeding into Community High School District 155's Cary-Grove High School — the same high school district that serves part of Crystal Lake, and one of the stronger performers in the county.
Housing: Cary's housing stock leans toward established single-family neighborhoods with mature trees and larger lots than you'll typically find in newer developments. Prices generally run $300,000–$480,000 depending on lot size and proximity to the Fox River.
Bottom line: Cary is a strong pick for commuters who want a quieter, more established neighborhood feel without giving up a direct line to the city.
Lake in the Hills: Underpriced and Often Overlooked
I mentioned Lake in the Hills briefly in my last neighborhood guide, and it deserves its own spotlight. It borders Crystal Lake directly, shares access to some of the same well-regarded schools, and consistently prices below what that access would suggest.
Schools: Depending on the specific neighborhood, Lake in the Hills falls within Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 and Community High School District 155 — the same strong districts covering much of Crystal Lake.
Housing: This is where the value really shows up. Detached single-family homes typically run $280,000–$400,000 — noticeably below comparable homes just across the border in Crystal Lake proper, for buyers willing to look a few streets further out.
Bottom line: If your priority is stretching your budget without stretching your commute or sacrificing school quality, Lake in the Hills is one of the best-kept secrets in McHenry County.
How These Three Compare
- Best for river/downtown lifestyle on a budget: Algonquin
- Best for commuters who want their own Metra stop: Cary
- Best pure value relative to school quality: Lake in the Hills
All three sit within a short drive of Crystal Lake and Huntley, so choosing between them often comes down to lot size, commute style, and which school boundary you land in — details that shift block by block and are worth walking through with someone who knows the maps, not just the town names.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Algonquin a good place to raise a family?
Yes. Between the Fox River access, walkable downtown, and Community Unit School District 300, Algonquin offers a genuine small-town feel with the conveniences of Randall Road close by.
Does Cary have a Metra station?
Yes — Cary has its own stop on the Union Pacific Northwest Line, which makes it one of the more commuter-friendly options among the smaller northwest suburbs.
Why is Lake in the Hills less expensive than Crystal Lake?
Mostly name recognition and lot history rather than school quality — many Lake in the Hills neighborhoods share the same D47 and D155 school boundaries as Crystal Lake, but the town itself doesn't carry the same downtown draw, which keeps prices lower for comparable homes.
If one of these towns sounds like a fit — or you're still not sure which of the northwest suburbs is right for your family — reach out and I'll walk you through the actual streets and school boundaries, not just the town-wide averages.
