Crystal Lake area-opinions? (Chicago, Schaumburg, Algonquin: real estate, how much, homes)

[Reau482]

We are being transferred to this area and have two high school children. After a little bit of investigating I think the Crystal Lake area looks like it might be a nice place to start looking. Any suggestions? Also, is there a gym in the area?

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by Reau482

We are being transferred to this area and have two high school children. After a little bit of investigating I think the Crystal Lake area looks like it might be a nice place to start looking. Any suggestions? Also, is there a gym in the area?

Hello>

I lived in Crystal Lake, IL for 3 years. 2002-2005. Frankly, I LOVED Crystal Lake. The people are pleasant, the little downtown area is quaint, it was actually one of the nicest areas when it comes to folks I have lived.
There is Lifetime Fitness right on Randall Road. New, Large, and good.

Now for some negatives:
Property Taxes are high. But so is most of the Chicagoland area
Long, cold winters, but that is the whole area
Price of Real Estate, but so is the whole area.
Ok, I guess you can't say any negatives.

Oh yes!
Traffic.
Where would you work. Now this is torture. I worked in Schaumburg. A 24 mile trip could take over an hour + on average. When it snowed, nothing less than 90 minutes to 2 hours.
I understand since I left that Rt 62 is now a 4 lane and 14 is complete, so maybe it's better.

My wife hated Illinois with a passion. She is a Jersey girl and loves the heat.
With the long cold winters life quality was not good for her. I'm a polar bear so I loved it.

Again, you can't go wrong in Crystal Lake, IL. esp. if you have kids!!!!

If you need a good realtor PM me and I will give you her name. She done well by us and she was referred. She knows Crystal Lake better than most. A lifelong resident.

Good Luck

[chicagoan]

We lived in Crystal Lake also and loved it. There is a definate distinction in the town between the north side (Walkup road area) and the south side (Randall road aread). Prairie Ridge high school is an excellent school. They have a very strong academic rigor and most students want to excel. Great learning environment. They also have some really good sports teams, especially girls volleyball. We knew kids at Marian Central in Woodstock also but for the money, you can't go wrong with an excellent public school like PR.

If you don't mind train noise then you can live closer to town otherwise, I would recommend going north on Walkup around the high school area. Beautiful homes with beautiful land.

GOOD LUCK!

[Reau482]

Thanks so much for the info, husband going out in two weeks to start. He will be working in McHenry so won't have far to commute. Kids and I will check it out in October. They are both in high school. Will take your advice and look in the north area of Crystal Lake. Any other suggestions? All appreciated!!!

[Reau482]

The tax issue sounds scary. How much are we talking?? Looking in the $400,000 to $500,000 price range.

[karabiner]

In general, most communities in Lake or Mchenry county are decent. If your home price range is 4-5k you'll be in the lower upper/high middle class homes. If looking for a classy high end horse property area, I'd recommend checking Bull Valley area or looking around Woodstock, nice country settings between Mchenry and Woodstock. Algonquin (south of Crystal Lake) has been getting nicer, growing rapidly. The Fox River runs through the area, so keep it in mind (ie. don't buy low lying property near it). For the area, Crystal Lake is a "hub" town for the surrounding communities, and has all the amenities as any city. Good Luck

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by Reau482

The tax issue sounds scary. How much are we talking?? Looking in the $400,000 to $500,000 price range.

I sold my home a few years ago in Crystal Lake for $300,000. The same neighborhood is about 375+ now.
My taxes when I sold were $6,700.00 per year.

On the 400-500 you are probably in the 8+K range. The key is to stay out of the Huntley school district. I was Crystal Lake South. Lived off Miller Road. My side the street, Crystal Lake the other, Lake in the Hills, which were also higher.

I really miss Crystal Lake It was such a nice place.....
Woodstock was cool to!
Watch the movie called Groundhog Day. It was filmed there.

I have lived in many places during my career. Nothing beats the Midwest and the native folks. By my moniker you can see where I am now, Georgia
Taxes on my home here are 2,500 per year. Ever heard the old addage "You get what you pay for" The old thing is everyone always heads to the South as in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. I have yet to see why anyone wants to spend their life here.

Good Luck, you will enjoy Northern Illinois. Wisconsin is fun to.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by karabiner

In general, most communities in Lake or Mchenry county are decent. If your home price range is 4-5k you'll be in the lower upper/high middle class homes. If looking for a classy high end horse property area, I'd recommend checking Bull Valley area or looking around Woodstock, nice country settings between Mchenry and Woodstock. Algonquin (south of Crystal Lake) has been getting nicer, growing rapidly. The Fox River runs through the area, so keep it in mind (ie. don't buy low lying property near it). For the area, Crystal Lake is a "hub" town for the surrounding communities, and has all the amenities as any city. Good Luck

Bull Valley. Yes very very nice. Wasn't much there when I lived in the area. A few homes. Mostly one home with much land.
My wife and I looked there, then I was transferred.

Bull Valley is good and expensive. No Bull

[FromNJtoIL]

I think the tax issue is dependent on where you are moving from. We moved from NJ 4 years ago and the taxes are definitely lower in Crystal Lake. We actually live in an area between Bull Valley, Woodstock and Crystal Lake. It's CL schools, Prairie Ridge to be exact, and the best of all worlds. It's more accessible to resturants, shopping, schools than Bull Valley but still has that removed from things feel. I think you would get a lot more for your money outside of Bull Valley. Most of what you pay for there is the address.

[SeeIam]

I like Crystal Lake too but the traffic and parking down town are nightmares all the time. The schools are great, shopping, the beach etc. I agree to stay north in Crystal Lake. I also really love Bull Valley. Quiet and beautiful. It reminds me of Colorado. Woodstock is the quaint town for Bull Valley. The square in Woodstock is really neat. They just put a Super Walmart in Woodstock a few months ago. They do their homework before they put a store in a town so you can expect Woodstock to grow.