Move to which Northwest suburb? (Chicago, Aurora: upper-class, city hall, house) - Chicago Suburbs - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

kmc527 · 08-30-2011, 01:09 PM

I currently live in Aurora and want to move further north and closer to the city. I have children living in Elgin and Chicago. I like older homes and established communities. My house is from 1900's. My kids are grown, but I have two dogs and need an area where there is a dog park or forest area where they can run. My neighobrs in Aurora are too Republican and judgmental for my tastes. If possible I'd like to be near a Metra. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

cubssoxfan · 08-30-2011, 01:59 PM

Des Plaines may work. They have older, established neighborhoods; Metra stop; a dog park near Oakton community College in the Cook County Forest Preserve by Central and 294; a decent (for suburb) downtown and a nice library.

knitgirl · 08-30-2011, 02:55 PM

Roselle would be fairly close to the middle. What's your price range?

chet everett · 08-30-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knitgirl

Roselle would be fairly close to the middle. What's your price range?

If Aurora residents are "too Republican and judgmental" I would worry about folks in Roselle...

knitgirl · 08-30-2011, 05:57 PM

I had missed that point. I think DuPage in general is less Republican than it was back in the day. I grew up there and mom and dad are still Republicans as is one of my brothers, the rest of us (3) are pretty far to the left and one of those lives in Roselle.

kmc527 · 08-30-2011, 09:22 PM

Well Aurora now is very diverse, but where I live they are still quite conservative- alot more like Dupage and Kendall county residents. The day the US started bombing Iraq every house in the neighborhood put a flag up. That's when I wanted to get out. I'd like an area where people are friendly and lean more liberal. I'd like if possible an area with a nice downtown like so many of the western suburburbs closer to the city have, but don't know if any of the northwest burbs are like that. They all seem to be just suburbs rather than towns. My price would only be up to 300,000. I will still be working in Elgin and part time in Aurora so I don't think I could go as far as Des plaines, but do like that area.

chet everett · 08-31-2011, 07:46 AM

Palatine has a decent downtown. I don't know where it falls on the neighbors-that-are-patriotic vs neighbors-that-are-in-favor-of-big-government scale. On the one hand the town's leader's voiced their displeasure at Stroger's ridiculous taxes quite loudly while tearing down a K-Mart to build a huge new "governmental center"(with City Hall and all the trimmings) but they have lots of flags and nice parades. It is in Cook Co.

cubssoxfan · 09-01-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmc527

Well Aurora now is very diverse, but where I live they are still quite conservative- alot more like Dupage and Kendall county residents. The day the US started bombing Iraq every house in the neighborhood put a flag up. That's when I wanted to get out. I'd like an area where people are friendly and lean more liberal. I'd like if possible an area with a nice downtown like so many of the western suburburbs closer to the city have, but don't know if any of the northwest burbs are like that. They all seem to be just suburbs rather than towns. My price would only be up to 300,000. I will still be working in Elgin and part time in Aurora so I don't think I could go as far as Des plaines, but do like that area.

Check with the library to see if they have maps from last few presidential elections to see what towns and neighborhoods fit your needs. Then drive around and see if you like the area and can afford it. Why not move into the older sections of Elgin or Aurora? Under 300K, check. OLder homes, check. Democratic, check.

paddock_laker · 09-01-2011, 05:36 PM

The North Shore would be your best bet for liberality, old homes, dog parks, and forests. They're on the pricey side, but they're very nice. They are well-served by Metra's Union Pacific-North line. Ideas include Lake Forest, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, and Northbrook. Highwood is sandwiched in there, it is a little more working-class with many nice Italian and Mexican restaurants and groceries, I personally like it down there very much. Highwood isn't really a "working-class" area, it's just kind of like that compared to the more upper-class areas that surround it.

knitgirl · 09-01-2011, 08:38 PM

But not if the OP is working in Elgin and Aurora.