Need help finding a home near Naperville? Wheaton vs Warrenville vs North Aurora (Chicago: real estate)

[Crimmy]

My wife and I are looking to buy our first home around the towns/suburbs near Naperville, (where she works.) I'm trying to find a home that's easy for her to commute to. Right now we live in Chicago and the homes are way over priced.

We're looking for affordable houses, great schools, and diversity. Diversity is important to us as I am Mexican American and my wife Puerto Rican American. I don't want my kids suffering too much racial discrimination. (There is always some.)

I've heard that the Wheaton-Warrenville schools are nice. (Dist 200) and Warrenville would be the closest to her job. Anyone have positive or negative comments on Dist. 200 schools?

I haven't heard anything about North Aurora or Wheaton community life or properties. I like the amount of real estate I can get in North Aurora vs Wheaton. But I'd be willing to live in a smaller house if the schools are better in Wheaton. So please give some insight to your thoughts on Warrenville vs. Wheaton vs. North Aurora.

Thanks!

[jenrik2714]

You can find homes in Aurora in the portion that attends Naperville #204Schools. The portion of Aurora that feeds into Naperville schools is alot more diverse than the Naperville side. I know, we are a Mexican Family. The kids would attend Waubonsie Valley High School. We are in Aurora, so we do visit the Mexican grocery stores, bakeries, and shops in downtown Aurora.We are also close to Rt. 59 where there are tons of shops, the fox valley mall and plenty of other stores. What is your price range to spend?

We are selling our townhome, hopefully when we sell, we are going to look in the area or look in Plainfield. Plainfield is pretty diverse too.

Wheaton is ultra conservative, not alot of diversity. The schools are good, but not as good at Naperville district 204.

If you need any additional assistance, let me know. I will be glad to help

[Steve-o]

There are some diverse areas of Wheaton, particularly near the Naper Rd and Rt. 38 area. Some Hispanic, African, Asian, Caucasians, etc, etc. North Aurora is more diverse, but Wheaton is nicer IMO. IF you want a more Hispanic population, look into Aurora, West Chicago. Both are pretty close to the highway (especially Aurora) and Metra for trips into the city. West Chicago has decent schools, and probably the cheapest town in DuPage.

[Crimmy]

jenrik,

Thanks for your input, its very helpful. I'm going to be in the market for a starter home- 3 BR in or below 205,000. (It won't be for 6 months or so I imagine.) Once you get your TH listed, I'll take a looksee!

Plainfield looks awesome. I don't know if my wife wants to drive over 30 minutes or not. For the last several years she has commuted from Chicago to Oakbrook and Naperville. I think she's getting a bit tired of the expressways, you know? Heard anything on Warrenville?

[Crimmy]

Steve-O,

Thanks for that info! Very helpful toward finding a new home, thanks. Is not so much that I "want" to be around a more hispanic population. I don't want too much of a hispanic population, (nor too little.) I currently live on the northwest side of Chicago, in a prodominately hispanic neighboorhood. Many of the kids my children go to school with speak very "ghetto", and I don't want my kids speaking this way. I'm trying to instill better communication skills with my children & I want my kids to be around more cultured, well-spoken, open-minded children. I sounds horrible to say, but my wife and I are hispanics who don't want to be around too many hispanics. We feel that multi-cultural neighboorhoods of white, black, brown, asians, etc. is better suited to our personalities.

[jenrik2714]

Do you want a TH or a single family home. I am trying to get a single family home because my family is getting bigger.
My TH is currently on the market. It is in Aurora with Naperville schools. Plainfield is not too far from Naperville. Just hop on Rt 30 and she will be there in no time on Montgomery, IL is pretty good too. She will get to work in 30 mins or less.

I commute every day from Aurora to Chicago Ridge for my job, pretty soon I will be in Downers Grove.