Suburban flight from big cities isn’t new—but the boom from Chicago to Westfield, Indiana has been spectacular in recent years. Here’s why Westfield has become the go-to alternative for families and professionals trading Chicago’s hustle for quieter, more affordable living.
1. Major Savings on Cost of Living & Taxes
- Indiana offers significantly lower property taxes, lower housing costs, and no state income tax—unlike Illinois.
- Former Chicagoans find they can “get so much more for your money here,” with lower mortgage rates, bigger homes, and lower everyday expenses readthereporter.com+15reddit.com+15dwellics.com+15.
2. Explosive Population & Construction Growth
- Westfield grew by 7.7% in both 2021 and 2022, ranking it among the fastest-growing U.S. cities jagnews.indianapolis.iu.edu+4youarecurrent.com+4wthr.com+4.
- It’s a Midwestern unicorn—the only non-Southern city in the top ten fastest-growing U.S. cities .
3. Abundant Buildable Land & New-Home Inventory
- Unlike built-out suburbs (e.g. Carmel, Fishers), Westfield still has room to grow, with builders pulling new-home permits at 3–5× the rate of nearby communities reddit.com+14youarecurrent.com+14axios.com+14.
- Demand remains high, so families leaving Chicago have options: brand-new homes with custom features in family-centered communities .
4. Top-Rated Schools & Family Focus
- Home to high-performing Westfield-Washington schools, boasting a 98% graduation rate, STEM recognitions, and national Blue Ribbon awards fortune.com.
- The city’s growth is largely attributed to families seeking excellent education and community makemymove.com+15youarecurrent.com+15readthereporter.com+15.
5. Lifestyle & Amenities: Room to Live & Play
- Grand Park Sports Campus is the country’s largest youth sports complex, featuring 26 baseball and 31 soccer fields, indoor facilities, Colts training camp, and 10+ miles of trails youarecurrent.com+10homes.com+10en.wikipedia.org+10.
- The Monon Trail stretches through Westfield, connecting residents to parks, shopping, restaurants, and downtown Indianapolis nwindianabusiness.com+15homes.com+15fortune.com+15.
- New downtown public spaces, retail, and the “Park & Poplar” initiative showcase a commitment to growing a vibrant city center dwellics.com+8fortune.com+8readthereporter.com+8.
6. Just a Short Commute to Indy—and Still Beat the Big-city Traffic
- Westfield sits just 20 miles (30 mins) north of Indianapolis—close enough for a commute, far enough to enjoy suburban calm reddit.com+1makemymove.com+1.
- Plus, residents still have access to big-city options—sports, entertainment, and O’Hare-level connections.
Is Westfield Right for You?
If you’re:
- A Chicago family overwhelmed by high costs, traffic, or school questions
- Looking for a newer home, top-rated schools, and room to grow
- Craving a quieter pace with big-city convenience nearby
Then Westfield hits all the marks.
How to Make Your Move Seamless—With Expert Help
Thinking of making the move? Annie at TalkToAnnie Real Estate specializes in helping Chicago transplants:
- Find homes in Westfield’s newest communities
- Navigate financing, school zoning, and commute planning
- Close the deal with local insight and ease
Start your moving journey today: Schedule a free consultation with Annie
Photo Credits: fr0ggy5
Sources:
Westfield fastest-growing suburb stats
Builders’ permit & new construction data
Westfield population & city growth
