Help! Relocation - Home Rent/Buy (Chicago, Naperville: rentals, crime rates, limo)

[Future_City]

Hello All,

Considering a possible relocation to Chicago area. The job is located on the Loop, in downtown.

We have two young children (under 3) and are looking for a safe location with a more small town vibe. I like the idea of Naperville and/or Wheaton (as there is a possibility of part time work from a location in Oak Brook), but my question is, can I commute (via train, especially the express trains) from a Chicago suburb to the Loop, in less than an hour. My budget would top out at around $2000 a month (rent or buy).

Interested in any thoughts regarding possible suburbs/crime rates/small town vibe.

Thanks!!

[oakparkdude]

Look at the schedules for the commuter trains at Metra Mobile. The metro trains pretty much run on time. You also need to account for time getting to the train station, time waiting for the train to arrive, and then time to get from the downtown train station to your office.

[JJski]

checkout La Grange, Western Springs, Downers Grove, Elmhurst (family friendly towns, awesome cores and great schools) if you want < 30min to loop via metra. ~ All super close to Oak Brook...

Loop ride via Metra under 1h express pretty much includes every desirable town (chicagoland public transit Rocks) - including Naperville...

From La Grange express Metra is 17min to Union...

[4122]

Check out Glen Ellyn and Willowbrook too. Willowbrook doesn't have it's own metra statuon, but it's around 5-7 minutes from the Clarendon Hills station, the West Hinsdale station, and the Hinsdale station. Also check out Indian Head Park and Countryside, they're around 5-7 minutes from the La Grange and and Western Springs stations.

[linicx]

Oak Park is the suburb nearest (8 mi) to the Loop. The population is about 50,000. Naperville population is is more than triple that of OP. I don't know about Wheaton. Several trains to/from OP daily. OP also offers zip car, bus, taxi and limo rental, plus some of the same services offered to Chicago residents. .

Oak Park is diverse in its entertainment, housing stock and rentals, shopping, worship, income and population. The Village of Oak Park schools, parks and library have a good reputation. It is not a college town.

It is upscale, it is walkable, it is historic, it is a family place, it is a place for singles, too. And it is a bit quirky. Some like it; some don't. It is still a good place to raise a family and enjoy life. You should be able to get a short term lease in OP while you find a place to buy.

The fly in the ointment is the 1000 square miles in Cook County. If you live in OP or close to work there may not be any transportation to Oak Brook other than auto or taxi.

[4122]

Oak Park is a good option. Also check out Riverside and Brookfield. They're close to the loop and only about a 15 minute drive to Oak Brook. They have their own metra stations too.

[Future_City]

Thanks everyone for their responses. I looked quickly at Oak Park, but I am worried it might be too close to the city (small town guy here). Are all the burbs listed fairly safe? I tried looking up safe data, but I wasn't 100% sure whether people living there consider them family friendly/safe. Thanks again for all your insights.

[JJski]

Oak Park is very urban feeling/almost an extension of the big city feel - not for everyone...

on the west side: La Grange, Western Springs, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, naperville, Hinsdale, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, ALL SAFE, family friendly, great schools with awesome downtowns and historic sections. Indian Head Park, Oak Brook also super safe but no real downtown core, newer developments - more your traditional suburbia style.

Look for something along the train stations (walkable) -> get close to metra stop and a downtown core mentioned above and you will be a happy camper...

[ToriaT]

Read some of the other posts about Oak Park...some love it, some don't. Very high taxes. Unless you have your heart set on it, and there are some that do, I'd skip it and look at places mentioned in the above post. I'd skip Indian Head Park and Oak Brook and concentrate on the others. You need to go visit them. I think walking to the train station is over rated, I'd never do it so I would not care as long as its not too far a drive and I can get a reliable place to park. It limits your home options so much if you want to be able to walk to the train and its so damn cold for much of the year, or rainy, or sweltering, or humid, you won't want to.

[Future_City]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

Read some of the other posts about Oak Park...some love it, some don't. Very high taxes. Unless you have your heart set on it, and there are some that do, I'd skip it and look at places mentioned in the above post. I'd skip Indian Head Park and Oak Brook and concentrate on the others. You need to go visit them. I think walking to the train station is over rated, I'd never do it so I would not care as long as its not too far a drive and I can get a reliable place to park. It limits your home options so much if you want to be able to walk to the train and its so damn cold for much of the year, or rainy, or sweltering, or humid, you won't want to.

I'd love to go visit them, but I don't think that is feasible before I decide on the job. Fortunately, I think I will have a few months before I have to permanently relocate, so I will have some time to explore and find the right place. And from everyone's responses, it seems that I should be able to find something under 2K that is within an hour total trip time of downtown Chicago (assuming expressing train).

Thanks!