A Classic Northwest Suburb With Unbeatable Convenience
Search Des Plaines Listings → Talk to a Local ExpertDes Plaines is one of those solid, dependable northwest suburbs that doesn't get enough credit. It offers excellent value, a genuine downtown, Metra access, and a location that puts you minutes from O'Hare and the entire expressway grid — all at prices that are still relatively affordable.
Wondering if Des Plaines is right for you? Read our honest answer →
Homes currently for sale in Des Plaines, updated live from the MLS. Click any listing for full photos, details, and pricing.
Des Plaines is a buyer-friendly market. The housing stock is diverse — everything from bungalows and ranches to larger newer construction — and prices tend to run lower than neighboring communities. First-time buyers can find move-in-ready homes starting in the low-to-mid $200s.
Downtown Des Plaines has a Metra station (Union Pacific Northwest Line) and a growing restaurant and retail scene. The River Trail Nature Center and the Des Plaines River Trail offer outdoor recreation, and the city's Park District runs excellent programs for families. The birthplace of McDonald's (the original franchise site) is a local landmark.
The local flavor: Des Plaines is the tried-and-true town of the corridor — minutes from everything Rosemont offers (the hotels, the entertainment district, Rivers Casino) while keeping its own old-school downtown, where the Choo Choo restaurant still delivers food by model train. A piece of history most people forget: Des Plaines was home to the first McDonald's franchise, preserved as a museum for years before it came down. Expect lots of condo options and mature, settled neighborhoods.
Des Plaines is served by multiple elementary districts depending on neighborhood, most commonly Elementary School District 62 (Des Plaines CCSD 62) and portions of Community Consolidated School District 59. District 62 operates 12 schools including South Elementary, North Elementary, West Elementary, Iroquois Community School, and Algonquin Middle School. These schools have strong bilingual programs and diverse student populations that reflect the community.
For high school, students attend Maine West High School (located in Des Plaines) or Maine East High School (Park Ridge), both part of Maine Township High School District 207. Maine West is the hometown school for most Des Plaines residents and offers a full slate of AP courses, strong performing arts, and competitive athletics. District 207 is well-regarded throughout Cook County.
Dive deeper: Maine Twp D207 guide → · Des Plaines D62 guide → · CCSD 59 guide →
Set along the Des Plaines River just east of O'Hare, Des Plaines offers riverfront trails, entertainment and easy access everywhere.
Riverside paths, a boathouse and Lake Park recreation.
Shops and dining around the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line station.
A major entertainment and dining destination near O'Hare.
A well-regarded community college campus.
Local heritage, including the story of the first franchised McDonald's, which opened here in 1955.
Explore Des Plaines's established condo and townhome communities — floor plans, price ranges and current listings for each.
Our MLS runs a Private Listing Network — real listings agents can see that never appear on Zillow or any public site, because the sellers want privacy. We can't advertise them. What we can do is share matches directly with our own buyers. If Des Plaines is where you want to be, tell us exactly what you're looking for — we'll watch the private side for you, and we'll only contact you about that.
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Get a free, no-obligation valuation from the team that's sold 640+ homes across the northwest suburbs over 26 years. And when it's time to list: top dollar comes from full public exposure — more eyes, more showings, more offers. If another agent is steering you toward a quiet "private" listing, read this first, then get our free second opinion.
Get My Free Des Plaines Valuation →Get to know Des Plaines's most sought-after single-family neighborhoods — home styles, typical pricing, schools and what makes each one special.
Not sure where to start? Read our ranked guide: The Best Neighborhoods in Des Plaines →
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