Should I move to Tinley Park or Oak Lawn (Chicago: new home, catholic schools)

[anraputir]

Help me to find a good place for living near Orland Park !

My husband has recently changed his job and now works in Orland Park, We are now in northwest suburbs of Chicago. But that is too far from Orland Park. We want to move to that area ...but I have a 2.5 yrs old kid ...so just wanted to know which area ( near orland park ) neaarby is a good school district ...where/which city I can get good preschools?

[kb4622]

I can't offer too much about Oak Lawn, but I can tell you that Tinley Park is doing much to improve their area. Aside from the numerous stores and restaurants that are going up, it is surrounded by beautiful and safe towns. I plan on living in this area the rest of my life and would raise my children in this area. Don't go east of Tinley though...it gets worse the further east you go.

[prairiestate]

Originally Posted by anraputir

Help me to find a good place for living near Orland Park !

My husband has recently changed his job and now works in Orland Park, We are now in northwest suburbs of Chicago. But that is too far from Orland Park. We want to move to that area ...but I have a 2.5 yrs old kid ...so just wanted to know which area ( near orland park ) neaarby is a good school district ...where/which city I can get good preschools?

Hmm, here's a crazy thought. What about....




Orland Park!!!!

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by anraputir

Help me to find a good place for living near Orland Park !

My husband has recently changed his job and now works in Orland Park, We are now in northwest suburbs of Chicago. But that is too far from Orland Park. We want to move to that area ...but I have a 2.5 yrs old kid ...so just wanted to know which area ( near orland park ) neaarby is a good school district ...where/which city I can get good preschools?

You won't go wrong anywhere in Orland Park. The entire town is a mega rich town in not only prosperity, but in it's values and personalities of it's people. The people of Orland Park have often settled down, to the point that the neighbors you have at the time you move in, you will most likely have for years to come as Orland Park is often thought of as one's "utopia" or goal in life for purchasing a home because homes in the town are rather costly and quality made, many times by very reputable builders.

Taxes in the town are surprisingly not that bad due to the extreme retail presence in the town and every spring the village will mail you a check as long as you are a property owner refunding you ALL of your village paid property taxes. As for the roads and traffic... Well they are working on that

Schools are top of the line and in many years past have been rated in the top 100 in the country such as Carl Sandburg High School. On the elemetary level, Orland Park is not to be outdone with most of it's schools having been built post 1975. This allows for the buildings to be built with today's modern necessities for optimum learning such as computer labs, science labs, music rooms, gyms, art galleries, etc. I believe the newest school to have opened in recent years in Orland Park is the Century Jr. High School located on 108th Avenue and 159th Street. Along side of it I think is a school called Century Elemetary? Not too sure about the name as I live in Jerling's district which is another astounding school, but I know there is another school next to the Jr. High. Teachers are also top of the line as they receive good paychecks through the school district, so that being said, your kid will get the best teachers money can buy. Teachers in Dis. 146, 135, and 230 are required to keep updating and furthering their education through things like seminars and side classes, which means that the teachers are constantly coming up with new teaching methods for today's changing world and kid's ever changing ways of thinking.

In any manner though, drive into the town, and see what it has to offer. To some, it's traffic alone is enough to make some say "no" but if you are clever you will learn all the short cuts and little detours around the town to avoid the traffic snarls as all the locals have. Another great town to check out is neighboring Tinley Park. Tinley is a carbon copy of Orland for the most part, only it is geared more for families just starting out. Good luck.

[Transcendental Blues]

Definitely Tinley. I live in Tinley, and they have great schools excellent park district, and good shopping. You have all of the conveniences of retail in Orland Park 5 minutes away without Orland traffic and Orland home prices. Oak Lawn is too congested, and I have heard their schools are not as good as in Tinley. Look for a place in SD140 for elementary and middle schools, and SD230 for high school (Andrew). I have read the other posts, and yes you can get a little more for your money in Oak Forest and Orland Hills - But their is a trade-off. Take a drive through those towns and look at the housing stock. I will guarantee you will find in Orland Hills many lawns that are not kept up, RV's and cars that are on blocks in the driveways on just about every block. No pride in ownership at all. Oak Forest is marginally better at best. In Tinley you will find people proud of their homes and schools. You'll also find the housing stock to be kept in much better condition. I don't mean to come off as elitist, but I call 'em like I see 'em. Having grown up in Calumet City and lived in Naperville (the cradle of suburban utopia according to all of the magazines) for years, I am glad we made the move to Tinley.

[kb4622]

First off, Tinley is not diverse(as posted by someone else). It is over 90% white. It is a wonderful city to live. Safe, good schools, nice homes, shopping, restaurants in the area.

Oak Lawn is on the way down and Tinley is on the rise. Tinley is where you should go.

[Chiguy1957]

I currently live on the north side of Chicago, near Evanston and the start of the oh-so-poper North Shore, doncha know. I grew up in Oak Lawn, and have seriously thought about moving back that way if it weren't for my employment on the opposite end of town. OL certainly has gone through some changes over these past 30 years, but to me it has retained its allure as a great place to live. Housing can go from starter all the way to McMansion, and the layout of the town isn;t that faux Mayberry crap that so many other suburbs try to pull off. Shopping options abound, and while the dining options haven't quite graduated past mediocre chain, it is getting better.

Oak Lawn people are salt of the earth types, many who have been around 40 and 50 years. Others are newcomers who seem anxious to contribute to the rich tapestry of community life.

Schools were pretty darn good when I went there (Sward and OLCHS) THeir test scores have hovered at or slightly above state average for a few years, but there is still encouragement for the g&t among the student body. Park District programs have something for everybody, young and old.

Oak Lawn is metamorphosizing from a sleeply bedroom community to a life style center. It's about time. 95th and 52nd is changing the whole look and feel of downtown Oak Lawn. The condos being built are stunning and expensive, especially for a down real estate market. If they can weather this blip. Oak Lawn will look very attractive. Several trains a day will whisk commuters to the Loop in less than 30 mimutes. Anyone with foresight can see Oak Lawn is ready for rebirth. Don't let the old patterns from the 60s and 70s make you think you have to go further and further out to get away from the "city issues". Stay in Oak Lawn. Shop in Oak Lawn. You'll be glad you did.

[LIS123]

I'd choose Tinley, as it's a faster growing and relatively newer suburb. When I think of Oak Lawn, I think of an older community that is relatively stagnant and not growing much. As Chiguy1957 said, they are making improvements in Oak Lawn, but I just see it as a boring slower paced place. That said, the Tinley area is growing very quickly and haas gotten to the point where it has become crowded, expensive, etc. This link is interesting and highlights much of what the previous poster said about Oak Lawn:

Oak Lawn, Illinois - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Chiguy1957]

OK, so we've got boring, "changing", old, underfunded schools, run-down, has-been, etc, etc.

I'm interested if the invective bandied about by all those who have used the above terms live/d in Oak Lawn, and if they have anything other than anecdotal evidence to back up their claims. Opinion is one thing, but mis-stating facts is another.

Mark Twain stated, "Rumors about my death have been greatly exaggerated." This applies to Oak Lawn, im my opinion.

Maybe I'm sentimental. Maybe I'm nostalgic. But one thing is certain: Oak Lawn always has been, and continues to be a great place to live. It's not Utopia, but I'd move back in a heartbeat if I could.

[nJohn]

I would choose Oak Lawn. I have some friends who live in Oak Lawn and it seems like a fine place to live. It's not too far from downtown and has OK schools ranging from public and Catholic schools. If you want more of cooker cutter suburb then choose Tinley Park.