Living in downtown Des Plaines without relying on a personal vehicle for every part of your routine can be practical.
The Metra station sits in the downtown district, with restaurants, the library, local businesses, and several housing options nearby. Pace bus service also connects residents with other parts of the area.
For buyers who want suburban living with fewer car trips, downtown Des Plaines is worth a closer look.
Key Takeaways
- The Des Plaines Metra station is located in the center of the downtown district.
- Some apartments and condominiums are only a short walk from the station.
- Restaurants, coffee shops, the library, and other everyday services are available within the downtown area.
- Pace bus routes connect Des Plaines with nearby communities, employment areas, O’Hare, and other transit options.
- Living without a car may be possible for some downtown residents, while others may find a one-car household more realistic.
- The experience depends heavily on the exact building, commute, errands, and places you visit regularly.
Can You Live Without a Car in Downtown Des Plaines?
Many Northwest Suburban communities are designed around driving. Downtown Des Plaines offers a different experience.
The Metra station, housing, restaurants, library, and local services are grouped within a relatively compact area. That can make walking and public transportation useful for more than an occasional trip.
Still, car-free living is personal. It may work well if you commute downtown, live close to the station, and can complete most errands nearby. A one-car household may be more practical if your job, medical providers, family, or favorite stores are spread across the suburbs.
The best way to decide is to map an ordinary week rather than an ideal day.
Metra Access in Downtown Des Plaines
The Des Plaines Metra station is on the Union Pacific Northwest Line, which travels to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago.
Several apartment and condominium buildings are located close to the station. For residents in these buildings, the walk to the platform may be only a few minutes.
That can make the morning routine much simpler. There is no need to drive to the station, search for parking, or return to a cold car after work.
Train travel times vary by schedule and service pattern. Some trains make more stops than others, so review the current Metra schedule for the times you would actually use.
For a broader look at suburban rail commuting, read this guide to using Metra for a Chicago commute.
Walkable Access to Everyday Needs
A train station alone does not make an area truly walkable. The places you use regularly also need to be reasonably close.
Downtown Des Plaines offers access to several everyday destinations, including:
- Restaurants and coffee shops
- Local businesses and services
- Pharmacies and personal care businesses
- The Des Plaines Public Library
- City offices and community resources
- The Metra station and Pace bus stops
The Des Plaines Public Library is an especially useful downtown resource. In addition to books, it offers programs, workspaces, technology, and services for residents of different ages.
Grocery access deserves a closer look when evaluating a specific home. A store may appear nearby on a map but still require crossing a busy road or walking farther than you would want while carrying groceries.
Walk the route before making a decision. Pay attention to sidewalks, crossings, lighting, traffic, and how the trip may feel during winter.
Using Pace Bus Service
Metra is helpful for trips to downtown Chicago, but it does not cover every destination.
Pace bus service extends public transportation beyond the downtown core. Routes serving the Des Plaines area may connect residents with:
- Nearby Northwest Suburban communities
- Employment centers
- O’Hare International Airport
- CTA connections
- Shopping and service areas outside downtown
Routes and schedules can change, so check current Pace information for the destinations and travel times that matter to you.
Frequency also matters. A route that runs every few minutes offers a different experience from one with limited evening or weekend service.
Housing Near the Des Plaines Metra Station
Downtown Des Plaines includes apartments and condominiums designed around access to transportation and nearby businesses.
These homes may appeal to buyers and renters who prefer:
- A shorter walk to Metra
- Less yard maintenance
- Elevator or single-level living
- Nearby restaurants and community resources
- A more urban-style setting within the suburbs
There are trade-offs to consider.
Homes near downtown may offer less private outdoor space than a detached house in another part of Des Plaines. Association fees, parking arrangements, pet rules, rental restrictions, and building maintenance should also be reviewed carefully.
If you are considering a condominium, read the association documents before committing. Look at the budget, reserves, meeting minutes, recent repairs, pending projects, and any planned special assessments.
What Car-Light Living May Look Like
Living without a car does not have to mean completing every trip on foot.
A practical car-light routine may include:
- Walking to Metra for work
- Using Pace for selected destinations
- Ordering larger grocery purchases for delivery
- Using rideshare services for occasional trips
- Renting a car when needed
- Sharing one vehicle within the household
This approach may reduce driving without requiring you to give it up completely.
Think honestly about appointments, social activities, family visits, pet care, and winter weather. These are often the trips that determine whether a car-free or one-car lifestyle feels comfortable over time.
What This Means for Buyers
Downtown Des Plaines may be a good fit if you want suburban living without depending on a car for every daily task.
It may be especially appealing if you:
- Commute to downtown Chicago by Metra
- Prefer condominium or apartment living
- Want restaurants and community resources nearby
- Are moving from a Chicago neighborhood and want to keep some walkability
- Hope to reduce from two cars to one
It may be less suitable if you want a large yard, a detached home on a quiet residential street, or easy access to destinations spread across several suburbs.
Neither lifestyle is better. The right choice depends on what you do every day and what kind of routine you want after you move.
For a broader comparison, read about how Des Plaines compares with other Northwest Suburban communities.
If you are moving from another state, this guide to relocating to Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs can also help you understand the area.
Buyers comparing other Metra communities may also find this overview of Palatine Metra parking and commuting useful.
Test the Lifestyle Before You Choose a Home
Online maps can help, but they do not tell the whole story.
Before choosing a home, test the routes you expect to use. Walk to the station, library, grocery store, or bus stop. Try the commute at a realistic time. Notice traffic, lighting, sidewalk conditions, and major intersections.
It is also helpful to think about how the routine changes after dark, during bad weather, and on weekends.
A home may be close to everything on paper but still feel inconvenient in real life. Another may be slightly farther away but offer a much easier route.
Thinking About Downtown Des Plaines?
Choosing a home near transit involves more than measuring the distance to the station. It means looking at the entire routine and deciding whether the location supports the way you want to live.
I share neighborhood tours, commuter information, and local insights on my YouTube channel, Life in the NW Burbs.
You can also schedule a conversation, email [email protected], or visit MyRealtorMari.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is downtown Des Plaines walkable?
Downtown Des Plaines has a compact area surrounding the Metra station with restaurants, the library, local businesses, housing, and public transportation. The practical walkability of a particular home depends on the exact location and the routes you use most often.
How long is the train ride from Des Plaines to downtown Chicago?
Travel time varies by train, number of stops, and current schedule. Check the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line schedule for the trains that match your commuting hours.
What Pace bus routes serve Des Plaines?
Several Pace routes serve the Des Plaines area and connect with nearby communities, employment areas, O’Hare, and other transit services. Check the Pace website for current routes, stops, schedules, and fares.
What types of homes are available near the Des Plaines Metra station?
Housing near downtown includes apartments and condominiums, along with some detached homes in surrounding residential areas. Building age, parking, association fees, amenities, and distance to the station vary by property.
How does downtown Des Plaines compare with other walkable Northwest Suburbs?
Des Plaines offers a centrally located Metra station, downtown housing, restaurants, library access, and Pace service. Arlington Heights, Palatine, Mount Prospect, and other communities also offer walkable areas near Metra. The best fit depends on housing preferences, budget, commute, and the places you use regularly.
Is Des Plaines a good option for someone moving from Chicago?
Downtown Des Plaines may appeal to people who want to keep some access to trains, restaurants, and walkable services while moving to the suburbs. Buyers who want a larger yard or a quieter residential setting may prefer another part of Des Plaines or a nearby community.
Can I live in downtown Des Plaines with only one car?
A one-car household may be practical when one or more residents can walk to Metra, use Pace, or complete regular errands downtown. Review each household member’s commute and weekly schedule before deciding.
