Why Everyone Is Moving To This #1 South Chicago Suburb (Orland Park)

This video is a deep dive into why Orland Park, IL is one of the best South Chicago suburbs to live in, especially for families comparing schools, parks, housing, shopping, and commuting options.

If you prefer reading, here are the cliff notes ⬇️

• Lifestyle & parks in Orland Park: Orland Park offers one of the strongest community vibes in the South Suburbs, with over 650 acres of parkland, including Centennial Park’s ice rink, outdoor aquatic center, fishing piers, trails, and summer concerts. Recent upgrades like the renovated Dugan Park and the inclusive playground and sensory garden at Shustler Park (plus millions budgeted for all-inclusive playgrounds) make it a standout for families seeking a community-focused suburb.

• Top-rated schools in Orland Park: The Orland Park public school system outperforms Illinois state averages, with higher math and reading proficiency and a favorable student–teacher ratio around 14:1 in Orland School District 135. With 15 public schools, strong STEM and fine arts programs, and respected private options like St. Michael School, education is a major reason families move to Orland Park.

• Shopping, dining, and downtown redevelopment: Orland Park is a major retail and entertainment hub of the South Suburbs, anchored by Orland Square Mall (150+ shops including Apple, H&M, Sephora, plus restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and Texas de Brazil) and big draws like Dave & Buster’s. A massive downtown Orland Park redevelopment—the Main Street Triangle project—will add over 140,000 square feet of new restaurants and retail, a Weber Grill opening in 2026, Heroes Park event plaza, a public ice rink, and more walkable, vibrant urban-style spaces.

• Orland Park housing market & value: As of August 2025, the median home sales price in Orland Park is around $336,000 with homes selling in about 50 days, offering a competitive but manageable market. Buyers can choose from affordable, well-kept neighborhoods like Central Orland and Village Square, luxury communities such as Silo Ridge and Crystal Tree, and rapidly appreciating downtown Orland Park condos near Metra stations—often getting more house, bigger lots, and better value than many closer-in or North Shore suburbs.

• Location, commuting, and future growth: Orland Park’s location at the crossroads of I-55, I-355, and I-80 plus three Metra Southwest Service stations gives residents multiple options to reach downtown Chicago, O’Hare, Midway, and the western suburbs. With ongoing Main Street Triangle TIF investments, walkability improvements, transit-oriented development, IDOT corridor upgrades, and modern utility projects, Orland Park is positioning itself for long-term growth as a South Chicago suburb that blends suburban space with a more urban, walkable downtown lifestyle.

Hope this was helpful!

John Sintich, Realtor® 

Keller Williams Preferred Realty

708-612-0644