Elwood, IL? (Chicago, Joliet, Oak Lawn: jobs, home, high crime)

[jingle]

Does anyone have any opinioins on Elwood? TIA.

[cliffj]

Actually my wife and I just placed an offer and it was accepted in Elwood Illinois. We are moving from Oak Lawn Il. We loved the town the people the whole package......It is a small town but it seems lovely and personal. We look forward to moving there pending the sale of our home.....We see the convenience of working in downtown Chicago by driving to Metra in Joliet or Manhattan. Takes a little longer but worth the trip....possibilities of the area expanding but thats not our objective.....its the town the convenience of peaceful small town living yet the convenience of Huge Town Living an hour away.

[sherry5]

Traffic will be a pain for a while since they are in construction in town. I lived there for 9 years...good for the grade schools up to grade 5 but the Jr high leaves many kids behind. The High School district is Joliet (high crime and low graduation rates). I moved my kids to Channahon (10 minutes north and west of Elwood) Best decision for my kids. Elwood is friendly, even to strangers for the most part - many new residents in town. No grocery store of any size for about 10 miles, I didn't mind that but some people do...

[dennis a]

My wife and I have lived in Elwood for four years now. Change happens a lot slower here than in many of the nearby areas (Manhattan, Minooka, New Lenox). The industrial park has been a huge boon for the city, allowing it to rebuild infrastructure from the ground up. City fees are cheap; we pay about $40/mo for the best well water around, sewer, and garbage removal. We don't have kids, so I can't really comment on schools. With the growth in Manhattan and on the south end of New Lenox now, a new HS isn't out of the question, but whether or not Elwood would be part of it is unknown now. Crime is super low; we've (foolishly and unintentionally) left garage doors open and car doors unlocked overnight and nothing happened. Folks are generally very friendly. The downside is that you have to drive out of town for just about everything. There's not a lot to do or see in Elwood; you'll likely drive 15-20 minutes for just about anything you do. Also, I recently changed jobs and now work close to Chicago; the commute is killing me. In clear traffic and with a lead foot you can make it to most Chicago destinations in 90 minutes or less. My rush hour commute to/from Melrose Park has taken up to two hours.