Should I move to Tinley Park or Oak Lawn (Oak Forest: home, high school)

[gahs7]

Hello, I'm considering moving to either Oak Lawn or Tinley park. I'm married with a 5 year old and and a 1 year old child. I currently work in Oak Brook and my wife works in Bridgeview. We are not sure which city to move in. I hear great things about both. I have a lot of friends and family in Oak Lawn and some in Tinley Park. Our commute right now for me is about 40 minutes from alsip and for my wife about 20 minutes. I hear great things about both but it seems that Tinley has some bigger land and a great highschool. But i would be adding about 20 or more minutes to each of our commute time. Not sure what to do, can someone help with the decision making process. The move is for raising my kids and putting my family in a great area for a long time. What are your thoughts?

[blondemoment1]

I have lived in both and my vote would be for Tinley Park, it is a very diverse community. School system is great, friendly area. Well located to anything you want. Oak Lawn is a stable to maturing area. not much growth or areas to grow. The schools are mediocre. They have had some issues with gang problems also groups of kids roaming the street and getting into trouble. there doesn't seem to be a lot for kids to do there. Tinley Park has mega sports activities. Lots of churches with good youth groups. Parents seem more involved with family home and community. Where ever you settle Good luck!

[Chi2NYC?]

tinley park has a culver's.

[bobsmith319]

I agree, a very hard choice. I heard both towns have good schools. According to a link on realtor.com where you can check the school quality for every school in a town, Oak Lawn is rated "Above Average". Tinley Park is nice, but home prices are more expensive out there. I'm single w/ no kids so I would pick Oak Lawn for my self since I enjoy the urban feel of it. However for you, I would go with Tinley Park. It just seems to be a better fit.

[Paula Lynn]

I grew up in Oak Lawn ---a great place tp grow up in. (it was a couple>? years ago). I also grew up in a suburb close to Tinley. I think if I had my choice today, I would pick Tinley,

[crbcrbrgv]

If you are an urban kind of person, Oak Lawn. If you are more the suburban type pick Tinley.

[NYrules]

I love both areas. My grandmother lived right behind the highschool, so I am very familiar with Oak Lawn. O/L is a nice community and there has been a great revitalization effort made along 95th Street, however even with all the good that is being done there my vote would still go to the Tinley/Orland area. Tinley/Orland is much newer and both towns have excellent schools. Another item to mention is that there are a lot of kids in the Orland and Tinley area that your kids can make friends with, whereas Oak Lawn is more made up of empty-nesters and baby boomers as many of the young families have left the area for areas to the south-west. Hope this helps.

[Songsmith]

Originally Posted by NYrules

...Tinley/Orland is much newer and both towns have excellent schools. Another item to mention is that there are a lot of kids in the Orland and Tinley area that your kids can make friends with, whereas Oak Lawn is more made up of empty-nesters and baby boomers as many of the young families have left the area for areas to the south-west. Hope this helps.

Took the words right outta my mouth. I second this opinion wholeheartedly. But as you know, you'll pay to live in Tinley (in the newer areas). There are other good options too, I won't extol the virtues of every community since there are only two choices on the table...

[gahs7]

Hello Songsmith, what other areas are you reffering too?

[NYrules]

I know Im not songsmith, but the other areas that are a little lower in price, yet comparable to Tinley would be Oak Forest and Orland Hills. Both are great towns that rank right up there with Tinley. Orland Hills kid\'s go to either Andrew High School or Sandburg which are both great schools.