To the editor:
I moved from Bartlett to the Valley View area in early 2015. Valley View is located in St. Charles. The area is also known as the “River Bend Community” because it is located near a large fishhook shaped bend in the Fox River.
Recently I learned that this area doesn’t enjoy a very good reputation. Sadly, there was a time in the 1990’s where some petty thefts and drug use occurred.
Today, the area has made an incredible turn around and no longer deserves that bad reputation. I personally know many of my neighbors and we all watch out for the area and for one another. 2019 will mark my fourth year in Valley View and I can confidently say that this is a vibrant, thriving, and safe neighborhood.
The Valley View area is an incredible place to live because it is heavily wooded and is home to a wide variety of wild life. On more than one occasion I have stood in my own backyard and watched as Bald Eagles soared overhead! Other wildlife I have seen includes: Hawks, Owls, Fox, Coyote, Deer, Raccoons, Ground Hogs, Possum, Geese, Duck, as well as many chipmunks and squirrels.
There is even a family of Sandhill cranes that migrate each year to Valley View. All of this, and yet I am less than five minutes from Downtown St. Charles and all it has to offer in the way of shops and restaurants.
Other interesting aspects of the Valley View Area are that it offers quick access to the Fox River Walk and Bike Path. I can hop on my bike and be on the path in less than one minute and the recently built Sterns Road and Red Gate Road Bridges also provide quick and convenient access directly from Route 25 to the ever-expanding Randall Road corridor.
In my opinion, the Valley View area is currently experiencing rapid gentrification. In 2017 I completely remodeled my home. In 2018, I built a beautiful brand new four bedroom and four full bath home with a full walk-out basement which is located at 34W576 Iowa Ave. and is currently listed for sale. Several of my neighbors are currently in the process of remodeling their homes as well. There is a lot of pride in ownership in the area.
In 2018, the St. Charles School district switched the Valley View area from St. Charles East to St. Charles North High School. St. Charles North High School is ranked 18th in the entire state of Illinois and earned a silver medal in the National Rankings!
I would highly recommend the Valley View area to anyone who is currently looking for a new home. I believe it is a terrific place to live and a smart place to buy into before everyone else learns what a fantastic place this really is and the property values go through the roof!
Eric Hoppe
St. Charles