How far west can we go? (suburb question) (Naperville, Berwyn: to rent, safe area)

[onelittlevictory]

Hi,
Not too familiar with the area outside of these message boards. I am wondering how far out in the western suburbs we can live and still make it downtown (Children's Memorial Hospital) in about 40 minutes, counting in traffic? (We won't be driving everyday, just when our son needs occasional emergency care, which could also be anytime or day or night.)
We would like to rent a 3 bedroom house, about $1600-ish/month in a safe area w/good schools....is that possible while still being this close to Memorial?
Thank you in advance!

[sgresident]

Under those conditions, I would not go further west than naperville. maybe not even that far.

[oakparkdude]

With rush hour traffic, I wouldnt go further west than Elmhurst. Maybe Oak Park. Naperville could take 2 hrs on a bad day.

[BRU67]

With construction, it's taking 40 minutes (at least) to get from Oak Park/Berwyn to the Loop by car. That will improve once the lower Wacker construction's done but still. Naperville will definitely be too far under your criteria.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by BRU67

With construction, it's taking 40 minutes (at least) to get from Oak Park/Berwyn to the Loop by car. That will improve once the lower Wacker construction's done but still. Naperville will definitely be too far under your criteria.

What?? Maybe, I just didn't drive during rush hour, but on the weekends at least it takes me 15 minutes (maybe less) to get to the Post Office (from Oak Park) where it turns into Congress!

What construction? Unles construction started today, I really don't know what construction you are talking about. I guess I'm not familiar with whats going on with Lower Wacker. I don't drive there.

In fact on Saturday evening, even with Lolapolooza going on, I got from Oak Park to Montrose and Broadway in less than 45 minutes. It would have been 1/2 hour if there was not major event going on. I just go down the Eisenhower which turns into Congress and then hop on LSD.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

With rush hour traffic, I wouldnt go further west than Elmhurst. Maybe Oak Park. Naperville could take 2 hrs on a bad day.

I agree with this. Don't go further out than Elmhurst.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

What?? Maybe, I just didn't drive during rush hour, but on the weekends at least it takes me 15 minutes (maybe less) to get to the Post Office (from Oak Park) where it turns into Congress!

What construction? Unles construction started today, I really don't know what construction you are talking about. I guess I'm not familiar with whats going on with Lower Wacker. I don't drive there.

In fact on Saturday evening, even with Lolapolooza going on, I got from Oak Park to Montrose and Broadway in less than 45 minutes. It would have been 1/2 hour if there was not major event going on. I just go down the Eisenhower which turns into Congress and then hop on LSD.

How about if your kid has an emergency at 7 AM on Monday morning?

BTW, Children's Memorial is not anywhere nearby the Post Office. From the Post Office to the new hospital site by Water Tower will take at least another 20 minutes until Lower Wacker reconstruction is finished.

[chirack]

I should point out that if you are having an emergancy, you will be driving by serveral other hospitials on the way to children's memorial from the west burbs.

I personally would not live much further west than Oak Park(or so) and would consider living in the city if you want that particular hospital.

Also they have partner hospitals elsewhere(oak park is one locaition) and they have out patient centers elsewhere(west burb of westchester is one place).

[chirack]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

What?? Maybe, I just didn't drive during rush hour, but on the weekends at least it takes me 15 minutes (maybe less) to get to the Post Office (from Oak Park) where it turns into Congress!

What construction? Unles construction started today, I really don't know what construction you are talking about. I guess I'm not familiar with whats going on with Lower Wacker. I don't drive there.

In fact on Saturday evening, even with Lolapolooza going on, I got from Oak Park to Montrose and Broadway in less than 45 minutes. It would have been 1/2 hour if there was not major event going on. I just go down the Eisenhower which turns into Congress and then hop on LSD.

With just a normal rush hour double that time construction worse. Monday at 8a.m. it will take about 30mins. or so.

[chet everett]

I would question if any patient that could only be treated at a specific hospital should live outside the immeadiate the vicinity of that hospital.

What sort of condition are we talking about here?

The region has about a dozen superb teaching hospitals -- Loyola, UofC, Rush, Northwestern are top of the heap, but there are also many excellent hospitals that have highly skilled emergancy room personel as well as talented surgeons and staff.

The current Children' Memorial site is located in a crowded and challenging site, if they are the only facility that can provide support to a patient with a life threatening health issue I would not live more than a few blocks from the site.