Best Neighborhoods in Joliet

Joliet is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character. Whether you want affordable housing, top-rated schools, or easy highway access, there's a Joliet neighborhood for you. The key is knowing which pockets of the city match what you're actually looking for, because the difference between one side of town and the other can be significant.

Ingalls Park

Southwest Joliet's Ingalls Park neighborhood regularly shows up in "best of" discussions among local residents. The streets are quiet, the lots are generous, and dog walkers practically outnumber cars on weekend mornings. Families with young kids tend to gravitate here for the calm, suburban feel that doesn't require leaving city limits.

I-55 access sits just minutes away, which makes commuting north toward Chicago or south toward Bloomington straightforward. Home prices stay moderate compared to neighboring Plainfield, typically ranging from $220,000 to $340,000 for a solid three-bedroom. Nextdoor users in the area consistently rank Ingalls Park as one of the top places to live within Joliet proper, and the tight-knit community vibe backs that up.

Wesmere Country Club Area

Head to the western edge of Joliet and you'll find the Wesmere Country Club community, where larger homes line the golf course fairways. This is the upscale pocket of the city. Construction here is mostly from the 2000s onward, so you're looking at modern floor plans with open kitchens, three-car garages, and finished basements.

The price point runs higher than most Joliet neighborhoods, often $380,000 to $550,000 and above. But here's what you're really paying for: access to Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, which ranks among the strongest in Will County. Streets are well-maintained, the HOA keeps common areas sharp, and crime in this section of town stays low.

Cathedral Area

Over on the east side near downtown, the Cathedral Area offers something completely different. Historic homes line the blocks here, many dating back to the early 1900s. Architectural details you won't find in newer subdivisions show up on nearly every street: wraparound porches, stained glass windows, original hardwood floors.

Walkability is a genuine advantage. Downtown Joliet's restaurants, the Rialto Square Theatre, and the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park are all within a short stroll. Prices sit well below the west side, making this a strong option for buyers who don't mind putting some sweat equity into a renovation project. The arts and culture scene in this part of town has steadily grown over the past several years.

Crest Hill / Western Joliet Border

Crest Hill technically sits just outside Joliet's boundaries, but the two communities blend together so seamlessly that most residents think of them as one area. Newer subdivisions along the western border offer contemporary homes at prices that split the difference between Joliet and Plainfield. Shopping at Louis Joliet Mall and the surrounding retail corridors means daily errands stay close to home.

School options here vary. Some addresses fall into Richland School District 88A, while others pull into Troy CCSD 30C. Both offer solid elementary and middle school programs. Families with high schoolers should verify which high school district covers their specific address before signing a contract.

Lakewood Falls and Ridgewood

These west Joliet subdivisions attract young families who want a newer home without Plainfield pricing. Parks and walking trails connect many of the developments, and several neighborhoods include reasonable HOA-managed amenities like playgrounds, ponds, and community gathering spaces.

A number of addresses in this corridor fall within Plainfield School District 202, which is a major draw. Others land in Troy 30C. Either way, the school quality tends to exceed what's available in central or eastern Joliet. Weekend life here revolves around backyard barbecues, park district sports leagues, and quick trips to the trails at Rock Run Preserve.

What to Consider When Choosing

School districts are the single biggest variable within Joliet. A home on one side of a street might feed into Joliet Township High School District 204, while the house across the road sends kids to Plainfield District 202 or Troy 30C. Always verify the exact district assignment for any address you're considering. Don't rely on assumptions.

Flood zones near the Des Plaines River and Hickory Creek affect certain properties, particularly in lower-lying eastern sections. Check FEMA flood maps before making an offer. And if you commute by train, proximity to a Metra station matters. The Joliet station serves both the Rock Island and Heritage Corridor lines, connecting to downtown Chicago.