Can anyone advise on Rolling Meadows community (Chicago, Arlington Heights: real estate, apartment complex)

[newtochicago11]

Is Rolling Meadows a good, safe area to live? Any concerns with any of that area as far as renting something there? Thanks for helping.

[chet everett]

As far as suburbs of Chicago go Rolling Meadows would rank in the better half in terms of generic "safety" assessing both property crime and violent crimes.

That said it is probably among the less desirable of towns in the greater NW suburban corridor. Though it is adjacent to Schaumburg and has a far number of of office and retail spots it lacks a traditional town center, has no real access to Metra and generally is a notch down academically and socio-economicalluy compared to adjacent towns.

It was largely developed in the 1970s and 80s so the majority of housing stock is too old to be new and not old enough to have much charm.

If it is a convenient drive to your office and you have no need to use the schools it it probably a pretty good choice. If you desire higher performing schools and/or better commute options there are towns that would be preferable.

[pvande55]

Residents of nearby Arlington Heights called it "Rolling Ghettoes," because it was a step down from their hometown, but it really is pretty safe.

[newtochicago11]

Thank you both for the responses. I had read on here that some called it Rolling Ghettos and that had me concerned. The commute will be to Wheeling. How would you say it compares to that area? We are moving from out of state and know nothing about the suburbs at all. Only what comes from this forum.. haha
I will eventually need to consider schools but my daughter is only 3 so I will have time to investigate all that once we get there. We will be looking at buying something somewhere in about a year give or take but for now just need someplace safe with friendly neighbors and places for kids to play and with a commute that wont be terrible.

[chet everett]

Honestly it will be closer to rent in Arlington Heights and the price differential is probably small if there is one at all -- I would prefer a smaller place in a better area any day of the week...

[newtochicago11]

I will look seriously into the Arlington Heights places. We are trying to rent (1200 to 1300 per month budget) but have a dog which is definitely making the search harder. If only landlords realized my 3 year old is much harder on a place than my dog But I will see what I can find in Arlington Heights. Thanks so much for the advice.

[chet everett]

I love dogs but as a former landlord I have been burned by tenants that just did not do enough to make their dog understand the behaviors need to be "a good pet for renters". You might have better luck with an individual that has to rent an underwater condo than any sort of apartment complex which tends to need stricter rules...

[newtochicago11]

We have a yellow lab and he is amazing Do you know are there certain realtors in the area who handle rentals that would be a good place to start a search for non-apartment places. I would actually prefer to not live in an apartment even if I had to pay more...

[chet everett]

Honestly it is quite hit or miss -- sometimes all you need to do is open a copy of the Daily Herald and there are a dozen nice places listed for rent by an owner and other times you can call / visit every real estate office in the area and they won't have anything.

It may still be worth calling a few real estate agents to get a sense for how active the demand is and if you can plan on having something that meets your needs.

[newtochicago11]

I'll see what I can do.... thank you for the suggestions!!