Moving to Chicago with Family (Naperville, Schaumburg, Evanston etc)? (Wheaton: buying a home, employment)

[Aubby32]

My husband's job is relocating him to Chicago. He will be working on Monroe Street. We are looking at buying a home in the suburbs. The city seems too expensive with very little living space. We are looking anywhere in the range of 450k-550k. Schools, Safety are our primary concern. Then follows an easy commute for my husband. We want a home that has good upgrades (remodeled kitchen and bathrooms also a finished basement). New construction is a definite consideration.

We have looked at Naperville, Schaumburg, Evanston, etc. Again Safety and Schools very important.

If we were to chose Naperville how difficult would the commute be for my husband?

Thank you in advance!

[ChacoGirl]

Hello,

My family and I live in Naperville and my husband takes the train each day. He leaves from the RT 59 train station (he was able to get a parking permit here). On the Express trains his total ride time is 47 minutes. He estimates from getting on the train in Naperville to getting to his office building in the Loop it takes 1hr 5minutes.

Hope that helps!

[jetcat67]

You might look at Elmhurst which is 25 minutes from the city. It takes my son-inlaw 45 minutes by Metra train. It is a wonderful family town. Has a great downtown and is centered around the family. The schools are top as they are in Naperville.

[Vasily]

I live in Naperville, near the Rt 59 train station. It takes me about 15 minutes to drive to the train station and walk to the platform, and 50 minutes to get to Union Station if I take an Express (there are a lot of Express trains to/from Naperville).

I've had jobs in the northern suburbs which involved long periods behind the wheel, and I'll take the train any day. I can work on the train, or read a book, or surf on my iPad, or take a nap. It's a very pleasant way to get to work.

You'll hear a lot of negativity about Naperville in these forums, about how plastic it is etc. I've lived here since January, 1988 and have to say, I think it's a great place to live, especially for those with families; you'll find a lot of homes that meet your criteria, especially on the southern side of town. But if you prefer the big city life you probably won't like any place in the suburbs.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by jetcat67

You might look at Elmhurst which is 25 minutes from the city. It takes my son-inlaw 45 minutes by Metra train. It is a wonderful family town. Has a great downtown and is centered around the family. The schools are top as they are in Naperville.

Elmhurst is much better than Naperville. Why anyone would want to live so far out their is strange to me. Schaumburg is boring as hell.

[chet everett]

The range of neighborhoods in Naperville is quite broad, if you have the funds to be looking in the older sections nearest the Washington Ave station you probably could also consider town further east on the BNSF or the the UP-W lines. There are handful of terrific deals this time of year. I recently saw a new construction listing in Elmhurst smack in the middle of the OP's price range. Pretty good value, though it is a little close to Lake St and many folks prefer to be closer to Elmhurst's core or on the south end ccloser to Oak Brook...

If you look in more compact towns like Downers Grove, Wheaton or Glen Ellyn there are some homes that would meet your wish list and still make for a very comfortable commute. Even Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills and Western Springs/ LaGrange have some homes that would be a good fit with their excellent/very school and short train rides.

I know folks that live in Schaumburg and generally the commute to employment centers in the NW suburbs that surround the area is pretty good, but it is not ideal for a commute to the Loop. Better choices in the NW burbs are along the UP-NW line between Park Ridge and Barrington.

Low rates and motivated sellers that are contemplating pulling their listing for the holidays are terrific opportunity for buyers...

[Vasily]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Elmhurst is much better than Naperville. Why anyone would want to live so far out their is strange to me. Schaumburg is boring as hell.

What a surprise ...

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Vasily

What a surprise ...

But he has a good point! What is so much better about Naperville compared to Elmhurst to increase your commuting time? If it is more home for the $ or better schools, I can see being farther out. If it is a more desirable feel of Naperville compared to Elmhurst, OK-that's a personal choice. But I do marvel at peoples willingness to move really far away from work. Many come to regret it.

[almost3am]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

But he has a good point! What is so much better about Naperville compared to Elmhurst to increase your commuting time? If it is more home for the $ or better schools, I can see being farther out. If it is a more desirable feel of Naperville compared to Elmhurst, OK-that's a personal choice. But I do marvel at peoples willingness to move really far away from work. Many come to regret it.

34 minute train ride to Union vs a 29 minute train ride to Ogilvie? That's not a huge difference, depending on the location of your office in Chicago.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by almost3am

34 minute train ride to Union vs a 29 minute train ride to Ogilvie? That's not a huge difference, depending on the location of your office in Chicago.

And what is the difference on days one needs to or chooses to drive?!?! 20-30 minutes in my estimation.