Possible move to Chicago, help requested (Naperville, Elgin: neighborhoods, public schools, live)

[southfan123]

May be moving to the Chicago area as early as next year and wanted to get a jump on things.

So here's the particulars:

I'll be working on West Roosevelt Road in the downtown 60608 zip. Wife will be working on North Wacker Drive in the 60606 zip (I know nothing of Chicago so if this information is meaningless, please disregard).

We need the following:

1. Good public schools (this is the most important factor)
2. 45 minute or less car ride to work (up to an hour if the schools are that much better), or train if available.
3. 4br, 2.5 bath for less than 500k.

So please tell me, where should we live?

[Steve-o]

If you take the train to work, you can be out about an hour west of the city. If thats the case, look into Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Westmont, maybe Naperville.

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by southfan123

May be moving to the Chicago area as early as next year and wanted to get a jump on things.

So here's the particulars:

I'll be working on West Roosevelt Road in the downtown 60608 zip. Wife will be working on North Wacker Drive in the 60606 zip (I know nothing of Chicago so if this information is meaningless, please disregard).

We need the following:

1. Good public schools (this is the most important factor)
2. 45 minute or less car ride to work (up to an hour if the schools are that much better), or train if available.
3. 4br, 2.5 bath for less than 500k.

So please tell me, where should we live?

What's the address for your job on West Roosevelt Road? (This will indicate how far west you are.)

[southfan123]

What's the address for your job on West Roosevelt Road? (This will indicate how far west you are.)

2111 West Roosevelt

[Manigault]

At the address you'll be working on Roosevelt Road, you'll be driving to work. Wacker Drive is a downtown street so (if you leave together) you may be dropping off your wife at a transportation hub. I would put Oak Park, Berwyn, Elmhurst and the Chicago neighborhoods of Bridgeport and Hyde Park on my list. Hinsdale is also a possibility but is getting to the edge of a 1 hour commute time.

[Manigault]

By the way, southfan, I just came from 2111. You are my new best friend.

[bobsmith319]

Here are my ideas: Tinley Park, Riverside, Park Ridge, Oak Park, Lombard, Elmhurst, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Palatine. Any more questions, just let me know and I'll be happy to answer.

[richb]

Don't forget Northwest Indiana. Munster would be a good choice.

[homewifeev]

I think you should try Park Ridge or Palatine. They have good schools acess to the Expressway/Tollway system. Very close to the airport. Don't overlook Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elgin, Itasca, Arlington Heights, and other areas.

[lpny]

I'd recommend Western Springs or La Grange, but you'll only get 3 BR for that price. You also may want to verify how far her office would be from the train station. A 10 minute walk would be perfect, but if it's 30 min (or if she has to take a bus/cab) it might be a dealbreaker.