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Old 12-14-2010, 10:14 PM
 
15 posts, read 42,845 times
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We are a young married couple, kids in the future. Would like to buy an old home with character in the suburbs of Chicago. Where would be the best place to look- safe, clean, area with a lot of things to do (parks, arts, restaurants, etc)?
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Old 12-14-2010, 10:17 PM
 
Location: Chicago
4,085 posts, read 4,301,484 times
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There are hundreds of suburbs. You have to give more info to narrow things down a bit more. Price range included.
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Old 12-14-2010, 10:22 PM
 
15 posts, read 42,845 times
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Is there some type of midtown area? Old homes built in the early 1900s? I love old, quaint neighborhoods.
Priced under $200,000 if that is possible. I just have no idea where to even start looking.
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Old 12-14-2010, 10:33 PM
 
Location: Chicago
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkyablonski View Post
Is there some type of midtown area?
What is midtown?
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Old 12-14-2010, 10:37 PM
 
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A lot of cities have an area of homes and business and restaurants that aren't downtown, but aren't quite a "suburb". Just outside the city, but not very far outside. I just was wondering if there are any areas similar to this worth mentioning in Chicago.
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Old 12-14-2010, 10:42 PM
 
Location: Chicago
4,085 posts, read 4,301,484 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkyablonski View Post
A lot of cities have an area of homes and business and restaurants that aren't downtown, but aren't quite a "suburb". Just outside the city, but not very far outside. I just was wondering if there are any areas similar to this worth mentioning in Chicago.
Of course there are. But the chance you are going to get something in these burbs that is relatively safe for 200k is very low.

Just pull up a map of Chicago and look at the suburbs next to the city limits.

Where will you be working (that is if you HAVE to work) or is this for investment purposes?

If you can spend 50k-100k more your options will open up greatly.
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Old 12-14-2010, 10:45 PM
 
Location: South Chicagoland
4,111 posts, read 9,014,291 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkyablonski View Post
A lot of cities have an area of homes and business and restaurants that aren't downtown, but aren't quite a "suburb". Just outside the city, but not very far outside. I just was wondering if there are any areas similar to this worth mentioning in Chicago.
You mean an inner ring suburb? Evanston and Oak Park are inner ring suburbs you might want to look into.
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Old 12-15-2010, 06:21 AM
 
28,455 posts, read 84,943,296 times
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Default If budget is truly $200k options are limited...

The fact is desirable suburbs that are adjacent to or even close to Chicago are far more expensive than your budget.

If your passion is older homes you will probably have to go to some fringe areas. Some of the older towns do have beautiful homes, bit distances are really pushing what could be considered commute....

711 S JEFFERSON St, WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 | MLS# 07666647
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Old 12-15-2010, 08:07 AM
 
Location: Chicago, Tri-Taylor
5,014 posts, read 9,390,551 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkyablonski View Post
Is there some type of midtown area? Old homes built in the early 1900s? I love old, quaint neighborhoods.
Priced under $200,000 if that is possible. I just have no idea where to even start looking.
Berwyn, just south of Oak Park, will have some Chicago bungalows built in the 1920s in the high 100s or low 200s. These homes are all brick construction and have a lot of character, and historical significance in Chicagoland.
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Old 12-15-2010, 01:57 PM
 
Location: Not where you ever lived
11,535 posts, read 30,109,392 times
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I lived in Berwyn at one time and really liked it. If I recall correctly it took about 15 minutes in normal traffic to reach the Outer Drive/Ike.
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