[gladhands]

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

Chicago is certainly a better bargain than NYC and SF, but it's not as cheap as many people think. A 2br/2ba loft/condo in a trendy neighborhood with 1200 sq feet is setting you back roughly $500,000. Plus, real estate taxes are high, adding to the mortgage. Not to mention the high fees/taxes for other amenities.

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/13.../home/12640531

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/22.../home/13351580

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/21.../mred-09177986

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/21.../home/22833016

As for the Chicago suburbs, the farther you go out from the city, the cheaper the comparable homes are. You can buy a 2200 sq foot 4br home in Naperville for $350,000. But do that in a much closer suburb and the price goes way up. And yes, the property taxes are very high. But, you do get excellent schools in the suburbs for that money.

This is why urban-minded people live in the suburbs until their kids are done with the schooling. Willing to pay the taxes until they don't need the services. Property taxes in Chicago proper are less than in the suburbs.

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Oak-Park/9.../home/13277183

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Oak-Park/9.../home/13277951

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Evanston/3.../home/13626816

https://www.redfin.com/IL/Schaumburg.../home/13728465

This took me all of three minutes. Chicago real estate is much less expensive than you seem to think.