Hoffman estates vs Gilberts vs Crystal lake (Chicago, Elgin: houses, neighborhood)

[ryanna01]

I moved here last month from Atlanta along with my wife. I work in Mount prospect and we are looking at single family houses in northern suburbs. We looked at new construction in Hoffman estates, Gilberts and crystal lake. Trying to decide between these locations. we dont have kids yet. I heard hoffman estates has bad schools but its closer to everything. Crystal lake is a bit cheaper but might be a longer commute if I take a job in downtown. I'm not sure about gilberts area. The houses are at least $100K cheaper than hoffman esates. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[lisaurart]

Originally Posted by ryanna01

I moved here last month from Atlanta along with my wife. I work in Mount prospect and we are looking at single family houses in northern suburbs. We looked at new construction in Hoffman estates, Gilberts and crystal lake. Trying to decide between these locations. we dont have kids yet. I heard hoffman estates has bad schools but its closer to everything. Crystal lake is a bit cheaper but might be a longer commute if I take a job in downtown. I'm not sure about gilberts area. The houses are at least $100K cheaper than hoffman esates. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

We are looking in similar areas and we have a HS son. I discounted Hoffman Estates becasue the HS only got 7/10. Of course, this could improve by the time you have HS children. Prairie Ridge HS is the highest rated amoung the CL areas, 10/10. I, like you, have noticed the difference in prices in the areas where the schools are not rated highly. I guess some people also choose private schools making it not as important although resale is an issue. Anyway, hope this helps. I am sure the long time locals will chime in soon.

[ahava]

Originally Posted by lisaurart

We are looking in similar areas and we have a HS son. I discounted Hoffman Estates becasue the HS only got 7/10. Of course, this could improve by the time you have HS children. Prairie Ridge HS is the highest rated amoung the CL areas, 10/10.

Originally Posted by ryanna01

I heard hoffman estates has bad schools but its closer to everything.

Hoffman Estates High School is not the only high school in that area. There is also Conant, which serves Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg, and Fremd, which serves Hoffman Estates and Palatine. Both Conant and Fremd are a lot better than Hoffman Estates HS and on par with Prairie Ridge. For K-8, the school districts are either Schaumburg dist 54 or Palatine dist 15, both of which are large districts with some great schools, some not-so-great schools, and many in between.

[ejk]

There was a time when Hoffman Estates High School was very highly rated. Its ratings seem to have dipped a bit over the years. So much can change between now and the time you have school-aged kids; maybe it will get worse, maybe it will come back around. As previously stated there are other high schools servicing HE and both very good and not-so-good elementary schools as well.

In what part of HE were you looking? Near Schaumburg, near Barrington?

I've always known Gilberts to be somewhat of a sleepy town but that whole area has changed drastically over the past few years. I am not too familiar with Crystal Lake. If you are planning to drive, though, that is quite a hike.

[GT28107]

Hoffman Estates near Barrington is the best option of those choices, by far.

Why? Mostly location. Right off I-90, commuting to Chicago is much easier. Woodfield Mall, better restaurants, etc.

Just depends what you want. If you like something a little more rural, go Crystal Lake. More suburban, go Hoffman.

[DonkeyTeeth]

Be careful about school assumptions in Hoffman Estates. A lot of the new construction on the West side (Sutton/Shoe Factory Rd area) falls into District U46 which right now feeds Elgin High School. If you want to be in the high schools mentioned above (HE, Conant, or Fremd) you need to be either East of Barrington Rd or North of I-90, which is not where most of the new construction is.

[dch66]

Crystal Lake is very nice. Take a look at Algonquin (west side only) Good schools. Avoid Algonquin's East side the Students attend Dundee Crown HS In Carpentersville and it is TERRIBLE!!!

[LkZurichMom]

Gilberts is developing rapidly and is likely to get hit with sharp tax increases to build out more schools.

[cuzican]

I agree with dch66, avoid Carpentersville at any cost, and I wouldn't recommend Algonquin's east side. But the west side (of the river that is) is a whole different world. Great schools here, and a more upscale feel. Hoff Estates is kinda a crap shoot. The Gilberts are like Carpentersville in my opinion.

West Algonquin is all around the better place. We're relocating from Willoughby Farms (a subdivision in Algonquin) to FL soon. We are SO sad to be leaving.

We love our neighborhood, it has GREAT neighbors, good parks and park district programs, so much new upscale and big brand shopping.


Good luck!

[pw72]

Gilberts...wow. Just two years ago there was virtually nothing there. Now it is becoming the next far NW suburb. May be some growing pains involved with that. However, great location, just a couple of miles north of I-90.