At what point does it start to get "country"? (Chicago: how much, club)

[packmanbears]

I think north and south speaking, Lake Forest is the last suburb north and Ford Heights is the last one going south

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

My parents live in Carpentersville. To me, that seems like the hinterlands, and not really part of Chicagoland. The problem with the housing boom is that it created this crazy sprawl in places that it had no business being. My parents have good jobs in an industrial park in nearby Elgin, but other than that - where is the demand if they want to move? Apologies for the digression.

But yes, it's crazy how 20 or 30 years ago, some of these highly sought after suburbs were really just little cow towns.

Because Carpentersville is within reasonable commuting distance to Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates, with one of the highest concentration of office complexes in the suburbs. It makes perfect sense.

[urza216]

Originally Posted by packmanbears

I think north and south speaking, Lake Forest is the last suburb north and Ford Heights is the last one going south

What? Ford Heights isn't the furthest south suburb. It's also very east. Ford Heights doesn't technically Border Indiana because that little strip of land is considered Lynwood. When "going south" you prabobly won't even see Ford Heights. Why would you mention something so far east as the "furthest south" location?

A lot of frightened people from the area bypass Ford Heights by instead of taking Route 30, they take a route a little further south called Sauk Trail. This road also connects to Route 30 in Indiana and the 394 expressway . In other words, they go around Ford Heights by passing through suburbs south of it. And believe me, there's nothing "country" about Richton Park, South Chicago Heights, Steger and Sauk Village.

Ford Heights is the first thing some Indiana residents see when crossing the state line.

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by urza216

Ford Heights is the first thing some Indiana residents see when crossing the state line.

Lucky them.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by urza216

There are Mobile homes in Hegewisch on the south side of the city, LOL! There's also a trailer park in Lynwood, a trailer park in Matteson and another one in Sauk Village. Since when are these not southern Cook County suburbs? To say mobile homes means it's not Chicagland is ridiculous..

Old thread but hey there is a mobile home park right off 294 north and west of 55. Just because its a mobile home park does not mean its not a suburb.
just speculating i would bet we may see more mobile home parks in the future considering the housing mess. just watch

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by urza216

What? Ford Heights isn't the furthest south suburb. It's also very east. Ford Heights doesn't technically Border Indiana because that little strip of land is considered Lynwood. When "going south" you prabobly won't even see Ford Heights. Why would you mention something so far east as the "furthest south" location?

A lot of frightened people from the area bypass Ford Heights by instead of taking Route 30, they take a route a little further south called Sauk Trail. This road also connects to Route 30 in Indiana and the 394 expressway . In other words, they go around Ford Heights by passing through suburbs south of it. And believe me, there's nothing "country" about Richton Park, South Chicago Heights, Steger and Sauk Village.

Ford Heights is the first thing some Indiana residents see when crossing the state line.

Old thread - but south heights has a pretty urban feel to it in my way of thinking-its really no different there than other parts of the metro area with the exception of the preception of money

[pvande55]

Kenosha to the North, Geneva to the West and University Park to the South roughly. A couple years ago I rode Metra to Manhattan. It looked like downstate. No doubt that will change once the housing market comes back to life and building begins again. Some will never be developed. The Lake County Forest Preserve District, which still has some money available, has bought several parcels once planned for housing development.

[packmanbears]

Originally Posted by pvande55

Kenosha to the North, Geneva to the West and University Park to the South roughly. A couple years ago I rode Metra to Manhattan. It looked like downstate. No doubt that will change once the housing market comes back to life and building begins again. Some will never be developed. The Lake County Forest Preserve District, which still has some money available, has bought several parcels once planned for housing development.

Not really at all. Waukegan to north, St. Charles to west, Sauk Village south, maybe Aurora South and west

[sunnyandcloudydays]

so your ruling out south of 80
Frankfort? I would speculate most people commute
Parts of Tinely Park?
Mokena?
New Lenox is debatable as its so close to Joliet

In cook county you would rule out Homewood, Flossmoor, Chicago Heights, South Chicago Heights, Park Forest, Olympia Fields, Matteson, Parts of Country club Hills, Crete (will co) Steger (part cook part will co), Lynwood, Glenwood, Thornton.
Parts of Lansing East Hazel Crest- I am also sure your aware 294 and 80 in some locations are the same highway.

Technically speaking I would say the rule of thumb of I 80 is not correct

as far as 47 that area being sycamore and parts of montgomery, yorkville could possibly be debatable too and when you think about the above they would also be a suburb of aurora as well so you have a mix.

Granted some locals are pretty far out but isnt it true most of these people do commute into the city for work with exceptions

I think anyone who uses an address that is aligned with the grid system would be considered close enough to be a suburb.

this is all debatable but that is just my opinion for what ever its worth
i am sure most will not agree

[pvande55]

The City of Chicago grid system goes pretty far out, 40+ miles out on the north end, definitely rural. I know someone who commutes from Trevor WI to downtown, 65 miles each way so commuting is not the test. On vacation last year I met someone who commutes from Atlantic City to NYC, 120 miles away.