family-friendly burb near Elgin? (Chicago, Wheaton: real estate, new home, employment)

[riverchick]

We may be relocating, with my husband working for a co. in Elgin. I would love to live in a quaint town where I would be able to walk places (coffee shop, library, coffee shop, playground, pizza, coffee shop, etc.). Maximum commute would ideally be under 45 minutes, though half that would be nice. Access to Chicago via mass transit preferable. To give a sense of our family demographic, we have a 2 year old and are expecting again in December. Our price range for a new home is $00-500k, though we could go up to $550k for the right home/place.
Any suggestions?

[nanannie]

Check out Dundee, fits the bill for you and easy commute(minutes) to Elgin. Cute,charming downtown,historic buildings,hilly(for Illinois) lots of near by shopping(large Mall)Also check out St Charles or Geneva.

[Steve-o]

Id also recommend St. Charles and Geneva over Dundee anyday, but thats just my opinion...

[gardener34]

St. Charles or South Elgin - (not Elgin, it's own separate town named "South Elgin"). Parts of South Elgin have st. charles schools which are good - district 303.
East (of the river) dundee sure has a cute downtown, but I don't know anything else about it.

[HOWELL_STREET]

In addition to the above mentioned, also take a look at Wayne, IL. This town is a dream with equestrian ranches and beautiful living areas surrounding this very tiny town. However, I am not saying that there is employment there - - unless you have the expertise as a horse wrangler. But Wayne is a beautiful place to live.
The real estate prices are extremely expensive. Also, Wayne does not have much of a shopping area. At one time, there was a ma & pa's small store. However, I believe that is now closed. In addition, I believe there is one gas station and the post office.
Where would you shop if you lived in Wayne? Most likely St. Charles, Illinois.
Close to Wayne is the Pratt's Forest Preserve District. That's along Smith Road, I believe(?). Pratt's has a very nice fishing lake and the property was actually privately owned by some famous person like Marshall Field. A famous man, but I can't be sure that it was Marshall Field. Whomever, he developed his Pratt's property in the 1930s for his select family friends. Obviously, the man was 'loaded' with money.

[WLUTZ]

I would suggest St. Charles or Geneva because of your walking requirements in your post.

[gardener34]

You will have no problems finding a nice house in St. Charles or S. Elgin for your price range.

[riverchick]

Thank you for all your replies. I've spent the day looking at listings in St. Charles, S. Elgin and Dundee and found some very promising options. I've found I really like "prairie style" homes.
Now all we need is that great offer to come through in writing!
Thank you again for taking the time to reply.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by riverchick

Thank you for all your replies. I've spent the day looking at listings in St. Charles, S. Elgin and Dundee and found some very promising options. I've found I really like "prairie style" homes.
Now all we need is that great offer to come through in writing!
Thank you again for taking the time to reply.

Very good! Its a wonderful area, Im sure youll fall in love with it. And if not, there are hundreds of other suburbs to choose from.

[treeg26]

I just moved to Geneva and LOVE it here. I grew up in Wheaton which is nice, too, but I love being by the river with all the paths and beautiful downtown area here in Geneva.