Clarendon Hills, Deerfield, Hinsdale, and Lemont? (Chicago, Naperville: fit in, houses, employment)

[Devon1976]

Hello! I am the mother of three children (ages 1-6) and my husband and I are looking all over the USA to find a place to raise our children. Our favorite towns in the Chicago area are Clarendon Hills, Deerfield, Hinsdale, and Lemont. What are the schools like? Do any of them have walkable downtowns? Please let me know your opinions on them. Thank you!

[irish setter girl]

Of the towns you mentioned my first choice would be Hindsdale. The schools are very good and you have access to just about everything from retail to airports to medical facilities to restaurants and neighborhood schools etc.

[KM0153]

I have lived in Hinsdale and Lemont... Hinsdale is the land of milk and honey, but has a lot of excellent qualities. If you are looking to raise your children as far removed from reality, Hinsdale is a great place to live... excellent schools, nice little town, parks, sports, etc. However, you will not encounter anything remotely close to the real world. Lemont has a little more diversity, but I was not as pleased with the schools. Check property taxes before you decide on either place... and, if in Hinsdale, make sure you are in District 181... Good luck!

[HOWELL_STREET]

Dear Friends:

As a suggestion, visit my previous posts and threads for my opinions on various beautiful towns around Illinois. You can collectively view my "HOWELL_STREET" comments as a group. I suggest this, because of your desire to look 'all over' for your future employment and home. Of course, many other people have good ideas of places to work and live, too. In my opinion, your 'op' is too complex to answer.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass,

Wheaton, IL,
Cortland, IL,
Mount Vernon / Nason, IL

[Justabystander]

I agree with the poster that says Hinsdale is the land of milk and honey, because it is a beautiful place with a hilly topography, lovely houses, close to everything ( I-294, 55, 90, Midway and O'Hare and a 22 minute train ride downtown) with great schools in the 181 district. A second choice would be Clarendon Hills, also great schools ( the same middle and High school as Hinsdale) but less pricey.

As far as reality, Hinsdale is not a very realistic place to raise your kids with an average home price of $1.25 million and every other car a luxury or ultra-luxury model, but if your values are grounded, so will your kids. The emphasis on education and the convenience of location are worth it if you have the money to afford a house there.

[ar2cm]

I would highly recommend Lemont. We have lived in many states as corporate transferees, and we chose Lemont when we came to Illiinois especially for the schools. Small size schools in Lemont mean your child will have a chance to play a sport, or be in the band or in the school play-they are not competing with 4,000 other students for a slot on the team or a role in the play. We moved into Lemont with two high school age children, a junior and a freshman. They were made to feel very welcome and had an easy transition. The faculty went out of there way to make sure they were successful in starting at the school.

Lemont has a small town feel and definitely a sense of community. The housing choices are eclectic with many types to choose from. The downtown area within walking distance to the Metra station has many sizes and styles to choose from. Prices for housing in Lemont are very reasonable, especially compared to Hinsdale and that area. For example, there is a new 3 story 5/3.5 victorian on my street that is listed for less than the owner bought it for in July 2006. This home is priced at only 675,000 and would easily cost close to a million dollars in Hinsdale.

Lemont is still the kind of town where you feel safe on the streets, you see your neighbors at the local grocery store or drugstore and your kids can play outside. It also has great commuting access with metra service, I-55 and now the 355 extension. I would strongly encourage you to check out Lemont and see what a great little place it is.

[Windy City John]

Have you visited the western burbs?-- I recommend a scouting trip-- Be sure and visit Downers Grove, Hinsdale, LaGrange, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, River walk at Naperville. These all have living and working downtown village centers.

[nanannie]

Interesting that Lemont and Deerfield fit in your same list as Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills. I would definitly pick Hinsdale if you can afford it, second would be C. Hills. As the above poster said, check out the other burbs in the area, Elmhurst,Glen Ellyn or Wheaton. And have you been to St Charles or Geneva ? Certainly should be included on your search when you visit again.

[ap2367]

lemont is good because we can make our tax dollar spreed so far we got good police fource no gangs and good privite and public schools

[Prairie]

I always thought that Hinsdale looked like a Norman Rockwell painting - old fashion America, apple pie and ice cream.

However, I would caution you that things are not always what they may seem.
With that said, any of the suburbs you mentioned would be very agreeable to raising children. Clarendon Hills is lovely - a Mayberry type downtown area.