It may not be Mayberry, but the quiet, tree-lined streets of Western Springs hark back to a simpler time when people greeted each other with a nod or tip of the hat and local merchants knew you by name.
This brick English Tudor sits on a 62-by-126-foot lot at 3826 Johnson, in the middle of a block adorned with rows of mature trees. On a warm summer day, these trees would provide shaded refuge from the sun’s rays and perfect hiding spots for children playing hide-and-seek.
“People like it here because it’s such a charming town, with little stores and ice cream shops,” said listing agent Mary Ann Scilingo, who is co-listing the home with Linda Hanley Kelly of American Homes Real Estate of Western Springs.
“Western Springs is a very established town,” added Hanley Kelly. “People come here for the good schools, the convenient location and the small town feel. You see young couples in town with their kids going to the ice cream store. It’s just that old-fashioned family community. A lot of people who come here say that it reminds them of a Mayberry town. They know you by name at the stores, and they’re very friendly.”
This three-bedroom home, listed at $315,000, has great curb appeal. A new concrete walkway and driveway were installed just last year. The inside of the home is also in fine condition. Its many charming features include arched doorways, cove moldings and a brick wood-burning fireplace.
The main foyer features a ceramic-tile floor and a mirrored closet where guests can hang their coats and set their galoshes before entering the neutrally carpeted living room, which measures 19 by 12 feet. A brick wood-burning fireplace with glass doors is the focal point of this room. To the left of the fireplace, an arched built-in bookshelf adds to this room’s charm. To the right, a French door leads outdoors to a narrow patio.
An arched doorway separates the living room from the dining room, which measures 13 by 11 feet and features the same neutral carpeting found in the living room. The buyer of this home could opt to remove the carpeting in both rooms to expose the hardwood floors.
To the right of the dining room is a three-season porch (16 by 8 feet) that is enclosed with storm windows. This room overlooks the back yard and has a practical, commercial-grade carpeting for frequent trips to and from outdoors.
To the left of the dining room is the updated kitchen and eat-in area (17 by 11 feet), with updated vinyl flooring, countertop and cabinets. Here, a window above the sink and another in the eat-in area allow mom or dad to prepare the family meal while keeping an eye on the children playing in the back yard. The household chef would also appreciate the abundance of countertop and cabinet space.
Around the corner from the kitchen is a short hallway that leads to a powder room and the attached one-car garage. Another door leads to the front of the home.
Three bedrooms are on the second floor. At the top of the stairs is a small chute for laundry.
The first bedroom you encounter measures 15 by 13 feet. It features plush blue carpeting and a flat, vaulted ceiling with built-in shelf and storage space along one wall.
Only a few steps away is a full bathroom with an oak vanity with marble top, ceramic-tile floor and a small door that provides access to a hall linen closet.
The second bedroom, measuring 13 by 11 feet, offers wood flooring underneath neutral carpeting.
Next door is the 17-by-13 master bedroom, which has two walk-in closets, a bay window, chair rail and mauve carpeting over wood flooring.
The home is equipped with central air conditioning. Taxes last year were $4,300.
