harvard to schaumburg how long is commute (Chicago, Rockford: rent, house)

[mart656]

I am looking to relocate to illinois. I would have an office in schaumburg area but would only be there 30-40% of the time. Is harvard a good area? I am currently commuting 1 to 1.5 hours to work now.

[xxJoyfulxx]

Harvard is decent. It's small and low-key when comparing to the Schaumburg area. I've never lived there but have been there several times.

The commute is a haul, about an hour and a half at a good time of day with low traffic. It could easily become longer during rush hour. Getting out of the Schaumburg area alone is hard - you should try to stay as close to I-90 as possible so you can get out relatively quick.

[HOWELL_STREET]

Dear Friend:

If you own a business that will be relocated, then placing it near the Arlington Heights, IL railroad station would be a very smart idea. Under those conditions, one could take the METRA railroad directly out to Harvard, IL. If that idea is not acceptable then investigate Cherry Valley, IL. I believe it is located between Rockford and Genoa in Illinois. Cherry Valley is quite close to Interstate 90 that goes directly through Schaumburg.

Carter Glass

[HOWELL_STREET]

Dear Friends:

Okay, here is another novel idea that might work for you. IF you want to live in Harvard, that is okay since it is a nice town. I have traveled through there many times to visit Wisconsin. Also interesting is the Harvard - Motorola facility that lays dormant today. That place must have cost Motorola many dollars to build. And at the time, many people were excited about its economic prospects.
Anyway, take the commuter trains between Harvard and Arlington Heights. At Arlington Heights, rent a nearby parking garage at some retire lady's house. But make sure you have an electrical hook-up outlet for an electronic battery charger. When you arrive at the Arlington Heights railroad station, then walk to your car (perhaps a 'beater') and then drive to work in Schaumburg. From memory, the Schaumburg Motorola facility to the Arlington Heights Motorola facility is about eight miles. 'Hope this helps you as a possibility.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[HOWELL_STREET]

When using any type of battery charger for any type of vehicle, it is very important to use and electronically regulated charger. About four years ago, a nearby neighbor - son - placed a non-regulated charger on the car he was reworking. It was in the garage that happened to be below the upper bedrooms. Sometime during the early afternoon, that non regulated charger set the battery on fire (a melt down). Then it set the car on fire which eventually set the complete house on fire. Since we live in a semi-rural township neighborhood, there are no fire hydrants. So the Wheaton Fire Department had to eventually bring in a water tanker truck (identical to a gasoline semi-truck, but containing water). By then it was too late and the house was completely destroyed.
There are several good brands of electronically regulated chargers. Schumacher makes many good ones. Also there are a number of other good brands.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[Thirteen Moons]

I live in Machesney Park, just north of Rockford and have been driving to Franklin Park for about a month. If traffic isn't too bad it's about 1.5 hours. At 5:00 it's more like 2 hours, possibly more. Cherry Valley is beautiful and a great place to live - and, yes, very close to I-90. Belvidere is a popular location for "Rockford-area to Chicago" commuters. It's a decent enough town, close to I-90 and U.S. 20.

I used to work in Harvard (when I lived on the south side of Rockford) at the Motorola facility. Decent town; According to Google maps, it shouldn't take more than 1.25 hours to get to Schaumburg from Harvard, Cherry Valley or Belvidere... depending on traffic, of course! (my favorite town is Cherry Valley)

[Jeff Hill]

Where the heck is everyone getting more than an hour from Harvard to Schaumburg?

My wife commutes every day from Belvidere to Elk Grove (which is a further drive than Harvard to Schaumburg) and it takes her an hour. Route 47 to Route 53 is a 40 minute drive at the most.

[adame]

How long does it take you to get to Schaumburg when commuting from Machesney Park? I work in Hoffman Estates and was looking to relocate to Machesney Park. I only have to come in the office 2 to 3 days a week and can come in at any time. I would think early is better. Also are you close to 90 in Machesney Park and how bad is traffic locally around there? I was looking at 173 and 90 area.

Thanks

[Stoneybrook]

Good info, I may take a job in Harvard, IL, but want to live closer to the city. Any recommendations ? Considering Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, perhaps Barrington. Need family friendly place with diversity and good schools. Looking on the map, route 14 goes directly through these places, anyone know what that street is like, going from for example Palatine to Harvard in the AM? Thank you.

[sing4him]

One VERY important thing you need to factor in, is the bad snowy winter weather - it could double or even triple your commute time.