Far Southeast-Kendall - Aurora, IL

Kendall County was formed in the 19th century when the nearby counties of LaSalle and Kane split. Yorkville provides the county seat, although the village of Oswego maintained that distinction for a brief period of time before a vote restored the honor to Yorkville. The area has seen a population boom in the northern section of the county as the city of Aurora has expanded to become the second largest in the state.

Located in Oswego, the Little White School Museum teaches visitors about the lives of early county residents. The Kendall County Fair give residents the opportunity to enjoy good food and fun at this yearly event in Yorkville. While there's not much of an art or theater scene in the county, Chicago lies just a short distance away with unlimited options for art, music, theater and dance.

You can certainly find national food chains in Kendall County, but residents don’t have to go far to find a good selection of alternative dining options. Maciano’s in Aurora bakes some of the best pizza in far southeast Kendall County. With options for dining in, pick-up or delivery and daily specials on chicken parmigiana, marsala and baked lasagna, Maciano’s satisfies any appetite. For Southeast Asian flare in southeast Kendall County, residents have a great option in Thai Orchid in Aurora. Appetizers of chicken satay and fresh spring rolls and classic dishes of pad thai and pad se ewe gets mouths watering and may even set them on fire depending on the spice level.

As with many rural areas, no main center of entertainment exists in far southeast Kendall County. However, several options for bars and pubs can be found located relatively close together. To shoot a game of pool or watch the Bears on TV, Rudy’s Place remains a popular choice with locals. The wood panel walls and friendly service lends Rudy’s a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, making it a great hangout spot.

With specials on pub food, beer and cocktails running every night of the week O’Malley’s Pub & Eatery provides locals with another great option for catching up on the local sports teams. The bar also hosts a karaoke night and other special events throughout week. For live music and dancing, locals can take a trip northeast to Naperville and visit Frankie’s Blue Room. Brass bands, tribute acts and salsa dancing make up a typical week of entertainment and good times at Frankie’s.

Cars provide the main form of transportation for travel around the county, but Chicagoland’s Metra system can be used for travel to downtown Chicago as well as points in between and beyond. Cab service can be obtained in the area, but it's best to call for service as flagging one down on the street may present a challenge. By using US Routes 34 and 30, residents can access a vast network of roads and highways for travel throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond. Taking 34 east allows for a connection to both Interstate 344 and I-290. Route 30 can be taken northeast to make a connection to I-88 or south to access I-55.

Biking and walking options exist throughout the area, although dedicated bike lanes do not. Caution should always be used when traveling by foot or bike through more congested areas. Free public parking is available in residential neighborhoods throughout the county, although parking may be restricted to certain times of the day or week.

As part of the Oswegoland Park District, the seven acres of Deerbrook Park remain free and open to the public. The park features a playground and sandbox for kids and toddlers to enjoy, a basketball court and plenty of uninterrupted open space for soccer or other exercise options. The Green Valley Forest Preserve Dog Park in nearby Naperville features separate enclosures for large and small dogs while their humans appreciate the beauty of the surrounding forest preserve. The Kendall County Fairgrounds provides Kendall County residents many opportunities to see car shows, tractor pulls, and other events scheduled throughout the year.

The cost of living in Kendall County is higher than the national average, but lower than the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Gas prices in Kendall County fall about 5 percent less than the national average. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1150 per month. A trip from the Metra’s Aurora station to downtown Chicago costs $6.75. A beer at the local bar cost about $3 for domestic and around $4 for an import.

While no shopping centers exist in far southeast Kendall County, residents don’t mind making a trip north to Westfield Fox Valley Mall to visit stores like Macy's, Sears, JCPenney, Brighton Collectibles, Justice, and Hollister.

Options of Jewel and ALDI exist throughout Chicagoland, but residents of Kendall County have other choices as well. Caputo’s Fresh Market provides a selection of groceries for locals, and small ethnic food stores such as Madinah Market and Masalas & More give residents the opportunity to purchase spices and ingredients to make dishes inspired by the cuisine of Africa and the Middle East.

The Aurora Downtown Farmers Market provides residents the chance to purchase a variety of locally grown produce, homemade bread, cheese, and handcrafts. The market commences every Saturday from June through mid-October at the Aurora Transportation Center.