Requesting Information on Downers Grove, IL (Chicago: for sale, houses, school district)

[Ankarette]

Hello everyone!

We are looking to move to a single-family home, hubby and I and kitties, and we are considering Downers Grove.

From what we understand, the northern part of DG, the North High School District, is the best and safest, to the north of 55th, if I remember correctly.

Our budget is around $300,000 (asking price), and we are wondering if there is any chance we might find a place to call home, with a largish yard (a bit larger than the usual "less than .25 acre".) We would also strongly prefer to have public water supply and sewer, and not a well/septic tank.

Are our hopes realistic at all? We would so much appreciate any tips you could give us, suggestions, and caveats. The more specific, the better... And should you need to burst our bubble, again, we would be thankful for not rushing into something we would be regretting later, and at leisure...

Many thanks to all!

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by Ankarette

Hello everyone!

We are looking to move to a single-family home, hubby and I and kitties, and we are considering Downers Grove.

From what we understand, the northern part of DG, the North High School District, is the best and safest, to the north of 55th, if I remember correctly.

Our budget is around $300,000 (asking price), and we are wondering if there is any chance we might find a place to call home, with a largish yard (a bit larger than the usual "less than .25 acre".) We would also strongly prefer to have public water supply and sewer, and not a well/septic tank.

Are our hopes realistic at all? We would so much appreciate any tips you could give us, suggestions, and caveats. The more specific, the better... And should you need to burst our bubble, again, we would be thankful for not rushing into something we would be regretting later, and at leisure...

Many thanks to all!

I think the hardest thing about your requirements will be the lot size. I look at what is available around the train stations in DG almost every day. There are currently 8 houses for sale that are walking distance (less than 1/2 a miles away) from the metra stations that are priced under $300,000. They all appear to have lake Michigan water and public sewers.

Of course if being near the train isn't an absolute must for you, then you can probably find houses on slightly larger lots, I just don't search for stuff like that often, so I don't know personally.

[divakat]

That is the historic district near the downtown and train. 300k will not get you much in that area, but perhaps a real fixer upper if you are handy. The lots are smaller near the downtown as well. If I were you I'd call up a local agent and have them be on the lookout for when something comes up with your requirements.

I went to high school at Downers Grove North, and I really like that area. The best thing is that it is pretty without being pretentious. I went to school with extremely wealthy kids that fed in from Oakbrook, to upper middle class, middle and working class kids. The downtown is small yet quaint and family friendly. Plus, it's a 27 minute train ride to downtown Chicago.