Need advice on where to buy single family home

[cls12]

Originally Posted by nikitakolata

There's also a daily pay lot in Geneva off of Rt. 31. It is a little farther from the station than the parking garage; it's probably a 3 minute walk.

The nice thing about getting the train in Geneva is that it is near the end of the line, so you have your choice of seats in the morning. The commute home, the trains will be crowded. If you want to sit in one of the single seats, then you'll want to get there 10 minutes or so before the train is scheduled to leave, at least. That is true for every Metra line I've used (UP North, UP West, BNSF). Of course, a crowded Metra train simply means no single person gets a two person seat. It's nothing like a crowded CTA train where people are smashed up together and it is very awkward and uncomfortable.

I grew up in St. Charles. It is a great town (my parents still live there, as do many of my friends). If I were commuting to Chicago daily, I would personally try to live as close to the Geneva metra station as I could because the whole drive, walk, train, walk commute gets old. If you can minimize the driving, that's an improvement, IMO.

Thank you so much for the info! Having commuted on quite a few Metra lines over the years, I know exactly what you mean. After reading what you wrote about the parking options, I looked up and found the commuter parking map. Here it is in case someone else needs it --> http://www.geneva.il.us/pd/PDFFiles/...parkingmap.pdf

[nikitakolata]

Also, if buy something on the east side of St. Charles and find that parking in Geneva is too tough, it was MUCH easier to get a spot in the paid lot in West Chicago when I used to do that commute. It took me way too long to try going that way. Knowing that if the Geneva lots are full there's an alternative put my mind at ease when I lived out that way.

[cubssoxfan]

Look into sections of Wheeling that are zoned for elementary district 23 and Wheeling HS. Wheeling HS test scores are mediocre due to being very diverse, but they are very academically and vocationally focused. They are a STEM school and offer quite a few honors and AP courses like all HS D214 schools do. Is it on par with Stevenson? No. Is it still a good HS-yes. The section on the NE corner of Hintz and Schoenbeck has "Newer" homes. In this area, newer is anything built after 1980-85 and is probably built before 1990-95. I believe this subdivision was built mid- 80's, early 90's. There is also a section on the SW corner of Hintz and Rte 83. Older homes, but very solidly built. Can you do a 3 bedroom with a finished basement containing bedroom 4?
Palatine may be another area to consider as well. Palatine HS is similar to Wheeling in that the test scores are mediocre, but the academics are actually higher and a college bound student will receive a good education and get into a good university.
Both areas have Metra service to Downtown and are not a bad drive to Schaumburg, Lake Forest or Waukegan.

[cls12]

Thanks Nikita and cubssoxfan!

[RoLiki]

I agree with cubssoxfan, I graduated from Wheeling (last century ) and it is a good school.

If you are already looking in this area, look at homes north of Lake Cook road. You get some decently priced homes and Stevenson High school. It's rated as one of the better schools in the state for as long as I can remember.

Look at Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills and maybe unincorporated Deerfield.

[chet everett]

A single family home in Stevenson attendance area under $250K?

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by RoLiki

I agree with cubssoxfan, I graduated from Wheeling (last century ) and it is a good school.

If you are already looking in this area, look at homes north of Lake Cook road. You get some decently priced homes and Stevenson High school. It's rated as one of the better schools in the state for as long as I can remember.

Look at Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills and maybe unincorporated Deerfield.

As Chet mentioned, "Ain't gonna happen!" Taxes in Stevenson attendance area are very high, but you are paying for the schools.

[RoLiki]

There are many homes north of Lake Cook in BG under $250,000

Taxes are relative... One of my co-workers lives in Waukeegan and her house is valued lower than mine and she pays more in taxes. When we were shopping around for the last house we bought (within last 2 years) taxes in Grayslake, Mundelein Buggalo Grove (North), Vernon Hills and Lincolnshire were all about the same.

[chet everett]

Currently there are only a handful of SF detached, they're shortsales, some of which seem to suspiciously long on the market as though the "sellers" are really try to wait out the lender -- not really appropriate for relocation situation if someone wants a home for their family...

1416 Margate, BUFFALO GROVE, IL 60089 | MLS# 08055020 | Redfin

303 Gardenia Ln, BUFFALO GROVE, IL 60089 | MLS# 07822237 | Redfin

Originally Posted by RoLiki

There are many homes north of Lake Cook in BG under $250,000 ...

[mattywo85]

Originally Posted by lisalonigro

Try Lake Zurich or Volo or Wauconda. These are all lovely areas with what you are looking for. I maybe able to help. I am a REALTOR.

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