Some of the benefits of a family-centered Vernon Hills life-style include affordable housing, a highly-regarded school system, a fine park district, an on-going tree-planting program and continual development of business parks.

Businesses are attracted to Vernon Hills because of the community's fast approval process and high development standards. Corporate Woods Parks and Continental Executive Park are two of Vernon Hills' business parks, spanning more than 800 acres.

The community is also known as a large retail center. With the fine and expansive Hawthorn Center and a number of newer strip malls boasting such stores as Carson Pirie Scott, Circuit City, Kohl's and Marshall Field's, the Vernon Hills retail community has much to be proud of. There are two large, movie theater complexes and a nice and varied selection of restaurants in town as well.

Recreation
The park district has a community center and 314 acres of parks. Other facilities include fourteen ball fields, seven picnic shelters, ten playgrounds, multi-use athletic fields, three outdoor skating rinks and a sled hill. The village provides a nine-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, and a new $1.5 million aquatic center featuring a zero-depth pool and sand play area. A recent addition to the community is the Arbor Theater, a $1.5 million outdoor theater surrounded by lush gardens.

Schools
Vernon Hills is served by school Districts 73, 128 and 125. Most elementary age students attend Hawthorn Community Consolidated School in district 73. High school students attend Vernon Hills High School.

Transportation
The Tri-State Tollway (I-94) is nearby. U.S. 45 and Milwaukee Avenue (I-21) run through Vernon Hills. Travel time to the Loop is 50 minutes. Drivers reach O'Hare in 30 minutes, and Midway Airport is 90 minutes away. Metra commuters board the train at the Vernon Hills station and arrive in the Loop in about 55 minutes. Bus service is also available.