CT to Chicago, Need advice (Evanston, Oak Park: lease, limo, home)

[Mac521]

Hello I'm moving from Fairfield County CT to a job in downtown Chicago (a few blocks from Millenium Park). We are college educated and Caucasian family, we have a 1 1/2 year old and a dog. We are looking for a nice community that is safe, has great schools, parks and most importantly the commute into the job can't be more than 30 minutes (door-to-door). Looking to spend between $500k-$800K to buy a house.

Any advice of towns to look into would be SO appreciated!!

[chirack]

Originally Posted by Mac521

Hello I'm moving from Fairfield County CT to a job in downtown Chicago (a few blocks from Millenium Park). We are college educated and Caucasian family, we have a 1 1/2 year old and a dog. We are looking for a nice community that is safe, has great schools, parks and most importantly the commute into the job can't be more than 30 minutes (door-to-door). Looking to spend between $500k-$800K to buy a house.

Any advice of towns to look into would be SO appreciated!!

It is probably going to take more than 30 mins door to door from any burb of chicago. More like 45 mins to an hour. What sort of burb are you looking for(more urban or rural)?

[reppin_the_847]

With your relatively generous budget, desire for a quick commute, other mentioned amenities, and the affluent bedroom county of NYC that you hail from, I suggest the following towns (there could be more that I haven't mentioned):

* Wilmette
* Glenview
* Winnetka (might have to settle for a small home here, but the community is old $$$ like a Greenwich or Darien in CT)
* Northfield
* Hinsdale
* Evanston near Central Street Metra stop (might have to seriously consider private school if living here for reasons that might become obvious upon moving here)

Clearly there are more towns that I can suggest, particularly in the west burbs which I'm not as familiar with. It would help to also know where exactly in CT you are moving from. Also, the towns I mentioned can only get you to downtown during rush hour in 30 minutes if you utilize the Metra train, and probably a rush hour express at that. Best of luck!

Originally Posted by Mac521

Hello I'm moving from Fairfield County CT to a job in downtown Chicago (a few blocks from Millenium Park). We are college educated and Caucasian family, we have a 1 1/2 year old and a dog. We are looking for a nice community that is safe, has great schools, parks and most importantly the commute into the job can't be more than 30 minutes (door-to-door). Looking to spend between $500k-$800K to buy a house.

Any advice of towns to look into would be SO appreciated!!

[knitgirl]

You probably have a good 10 minute walk just to get from either of the train stations to work, so I doubt 30 minutes is doable, 45 is much more realistic. I'm sure Chet will chime in, look at the various Metra lines and check out train schedules, some of the western suburbs might have what you're looking for.

[pvande55]

BNSF has a few trains to and from Hinsdale that cover it in 20 minutes. If you can find a place within two minutes of Hinsdale station and can sprint from Union Station to the office in eight, you got it. Otherwise, strictly adhering to the 30:00 time will be very difficult.

[linicx]

How long you are actually willing to commute will dictate where you live. Not everyone enjoys the hour ride on the train to work and back home; but a few do. I would because I would use the time to unwind before I went home. Diversity, architecture, entertainment also play a part. If you want to be nearby then you might like historic, stately Streeterville, or Lincoln Park in the Near North Side.

Oak Park is 8-9 miles from the train station. But. This where you find many conveniences: Good K-8 schools, parks, history, architecture, restaurants, Trader Joe's, and transportation. Trains, Metro, buses, taxi, limo and zip cars are available in OP. The Village of Oak Park is about 60K population. it's very diverse and very pretty with its mature trees and green yards. The regional housing center could possibly find a place with a short lease for you while you look for property.

It is buyers market and with your budget you can afford to be a wee bit picky. Chicago has a lot of surprises and a thousand neighborhoods to investigate.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

You probably have a good 10 minute walk just to get from either of the train stations to work, so I doubt 30 minutes is doable, 45 is much more realistic. I'm sure Chet will chime in, look at the various Metra lines and check out train schedules, some of the western suburbs might have what you're looking for.

30 minutes door to door includes time spent:

1) walking/driving to train station
2) waiting for a train (don't want to cut it too close, right?)
3) actual transit time on train
4) exiting train and walking/cab/bus to office

At a bare minimum, 1, 2, and 4 will likely be 15 minutes if not significantly more.

[Mac521]

Originally Posted by chirack

It is probably going to take more than 30 mins door to door from any burb of chicago. More like 45 mins to an hour. What sort of burb are you looking for(more urban or rural)?

I'm looking for more of the green grass/tree lined street feel. The commute and good/safe schools are top priority. I would love a subdivision.

[Mac521]

Originally Posted by reppin_the_847

With your relatively generous budget, desire for a quick commute, other mentioned amenities, and the affluent bedroom county of NYC that you hail from, I suggest the following towns (there could be more that I haven't mentioned):

* Wilmette
* Glenview
* Winnetka (might have to settle for a small home here, but the community is old $$$ like a Greenwich or Darien in CT)
* Northfield
* Hinsdale
* Evanston near Central Street Metra stop (might have to seriously consider private school if living here for reasons that might become obvious upon moving here)

Clearly there are more towns that I can suggest, particularly in the west burbs which I'm not as familiar with. It would help to also know where exactly in CT you are moving from. Also, the towns I mentioned can only get you to downtown during rush hour in 30 minutes if you utilize the Metra train, and probably a rush hour express at that. Best of luck!

Great info! Thank you. I'm coming from Fairfield and live in a subdivision so I'm ok with small lots (.15 acres). I would even consider Chicago itself if there were areas that "felt" like a suburb...I know it sounds crazy....but I love the green grass/tree lined street feel. :-)

[chirack]

Originally Posted by Mac521

Great info! Thank you. I'm coming from Fairfield and live in a subdivision so I'm ok with small lots (.15 acres). I would even consider Chicago itself if there were areas that "felt" like a suburb...I know it sounds crazy....but I love the green grass/tree lined street feel. :-)

Parts of the Far south west side and Far Northwest side kinda get burb like. Beverly to the south for instance. The trouble here is schools, but with that budget you could afford a private school and chicago's grade schools are not all bad(they vary).

The burbs of Oak park and Evanston are more urban. River forest is another.

The other burbs mentioned above also fit. Also making sure that you are working regular office hours(i.e. 9-5 or 8-4)ish. Cause you will be taking metra(or CTA) downtown rather than driving. If for some reason you are get off work like say at 1 am downtown then metra is either not a option or a very limited one.

In addition does anyone in your household need to be elsewhere other than downtown chicago(like other parts of the city or the burbs)? That also would make a difference as to where to live.