Laura Bruno

My husband and I moved here 26 years ago from the Lincoln Park/Old Town neighborhoods of Chicago. I was a bonafide city loving girl and reluctantly agreed to move to the burbs because we were starting a family. At that time Naperville was less than half the size it is now and the downtown was much smaller with limited shopping and dining. We had a mom & pop grocery (remember Cee Bees?) & Washington Square was THE place to go for a special night. No Promenade, no Starbucks, and definitely no Apple Store back then. We built our home in a new subdivision just a couple blocks south of 75th St & Washington (that was considered the far south of town). We became fast friends with the neighbors on either side and those friendships have lasted for the past 26 years. We started going to Community Christian Church, a brand new church (affectionately know to locals as the "Yellow Box") and made friends there that have also lasted 25 years. We had 1 then 2 then 3 kids and did the circuit of Park District soccer, St Raphaels football, Y basketball, elementary/Jr HIgh band, story time at Nichols library...All along the way making friends and deepening our ties to the community. Around 1999, we decided to make a move to the Atlanta area so we could enjoy being outdoors year round. We found a home, put in an offer that was accepted by the seller and then flew back to Naperville in order to start the process of moving. When went back to Atlanta the following week for inspection, I was overcome by a sense of dread, that we were making a HUGE mistake. Atlanta just was not HOME. We cancelled the contract and made the intentional decision to stay put in Naperville and we are so glad we did. Naperville somehow has found the "secret sauce" to a great town. It is a large city with city amenities, but maintains the small town sense of community. People are friendly, the city government remembers that it is here to serve the people, and good people serve and get involved in groups and activities that benefit their fellow man. It is not perfect, traffic can be frustrating, parking is limited, and taxes are high. But the town is safe, our schools are exceptional, and there is a vibrancy & excitement in our downtown that mimics my beloved Lincoln Park! Not only have we stayed, but we are now in the process of building a new home in the downtown area that will serve us well for the next 25 years. And those neighbors I mentioned earlier? Well they are coming with us - We are all building new homes within blocks of each other, because good friends are more precious than gold. Community, friendships, roots. Thank-you Naperville.
Laura Bruno - Realtor, Baird & Warner
630-718-7513
www.laurabruno.com