@properties: St. Charles

St. Charles is a picture-perfect city with a bustling Main Street, 1920s hotels and theaters, and an idyllic setting along the scenic Fox River.

The community has an incredible mix of arts and entertainment, recreation, shopping and fine dining. St. Charles has also been recognized for its ideal combination of good neighbors, green spaces, strong public schools and affordable housing.

Although it has a small-town feel, the community has big-time entertainment to offer residents and visitors. For decades, the area has featured top performers at its comedy theater at the Pheasant Run Resort as well as its vaudeville-style Arcada Theatre.

Students attend schools within Community Unit School District 303, which includes 12 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. Three District 303 schools have been named Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.