Glen Elly, Wheaton, Warrenville, Naperville, etc. (Chicago, Aurora: real estate, rental homes, low crime)

[roy.money]

I am in the military, and will be leaving the service soon. I wanted to get some people's opinions on suburbs of chicago. I am a Network Administrator/ Network Engineer and have been looking at the job market around Dupage County. I have also found some jobs in rosemont and of course Chicago. I am looking for a home with around 4 BR and 3 Bath, for rent. We want to live in a nice neighborhood with low crime. What are your opinions of the towns I've mentioned, and are there any similar ones I've left out? Any help would be appreciated.

[chet everett]

Of the towns you listed Naperville might have the largest number of mid-priced listings that have 4br/3ba, but it is not inexpensive.

Warrenville tends to have more older, less large home, though some of the newer homes are going to be very pricey. The same is true for Wheaton, and even more so for Glen Ellyn.

What sort of budget did you have in mind?

[roy.money]

We're looking at anywhere from $2000 up to $4000 a month depending on which job I get.

[namomof3]

The good news is that with that budget you can practically own a modest 4bdrm home in those towns. All safe IMO. I am assuming you have children (the size home and safety concern). Naperville has excellent schools but some of the neighboring burbs have schools that are just as good. it depends what you are really looking for in a community. I prefer the smaller, down-to-earth, charming suburbs-- Warrenville, Lisle, Downers Grove. Look into Elmhurst as well-- I don't know much about it but I know it's highly regarded. I don't know too much about Glen Ellyn.

[chet everett]

I know, from having sold homes in those towns, that very few rental homes are going to offer 4brm/3ba. Period. Even with some distressed situations there are just not an abundance of rentals. Those that do have lots of amenities and a good location can commande VERY high rents, to the point where it would be cheaper to attempt to buy.

At the low end, which starts around $2k, there are older smaller home. 3br/1.5ba is common, and not very practical for a family with school age kids.

A large percentage of long term rental homes are also "location challenged" fronting a busy street, being too near RR tracks, to close to retail...

In Naperville there are simply LOTS more choices.

Btw, there are significant differences in performance / desirability of the schools directly adjacent to Naperville, this would include Lisle, Bolingbrook, Aurora. It is very important that fools that want to send their children to well regarded schools do not overlook the impact schools have on the value of real estate. In a town like Hinsdale or Clarendon Hills homes rent for a great deal more than in towns like Westmont or Westchester, which are very similarly located...

[thndrcloud]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Btw, there are significant differences in performance / desirability of the schools directly adjacent to Naperville, this would include Lisle, Bolingbrook, Aurora. It is very important that fools that want to send their children to well regarded schools do not overlook the impact schools have on the value of real estate. In a town like Hinsdale or Clarendon Hills homes rent for a great deal more than in towns like Westmont or Westchester, which are very similarly located...

Mistype?

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by thndrcloud

Mistype?

Folks is what I intended. The auto correct on my iPad (which is what use most often lately) often turns fols (which is what my dumb / lazy right thumb gets dragging from the the k to the l...) into fools

[ToriaT]

I think any of those places would be good and are safe and have good schools. I would not rank Warrenville as the highest on my list but they do go to Wheaton schools which are good. There is more stuff in Wheaton as opposed to Warrenville but if you find the right situation its very close by. I would encourage you to visit the communities.