Must Find Dream House! (Chicago, Joliet: neighborhood, construction, subdivisions)

[mendelman]

I echo Oak Park as a good choice. He can search here for real estate listings in Oak Park around the 800K price: Baird & Warner - Property Search

And NYrules is completely off base.

[nanannie]

I think you have a wonderful choice of areas to live. I dont get the push for Oak Park ,no offense to the Oak Parkers,, but would ask you to check out the burbs of Geneva/St Charles, Naperville, Glen Ellyn/Wheaton, Elmhurst and Barrington. All have wonderful towns,schools,shopping,Metra train ride to the city (all 1/2 hr t-Barrington about 45- 50 minutes ) and plenty of "yard space" You would have some beautiful home choices.You could also check the North shore area along the lake. Not only do you have the beautiful lake,but desirable,charming neighborhoods,very sought after schools. Wilmette,Winetka,Glencoe,Lake Forest. Again,all easy train to the city 1/2 hr and under. Close to the city is Evanston,home of Northwestern Universiy and a city itself, beautiful old historic homes. Minutes to downtown Chicago. Good Luck to you with your move and welcome.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by nanannie

I think you have a wonderful choice of areas to live. I dont get the push for Oak Park ,no offense to the Oak Parkers,, but would ask you to check out the burbs of Geneva/St Charles, Naperville, Glen Ellyn/Wheaton, Elmhurst and Barrington. All have wonderful towns,schools,shopping,Metra train ride to the city (all 1/2 hr t-Barrington about 45- 50 minutes ) and plenty of "yard space" You would have some beautiful home choices.You could also check the North shore area along the lake. Not only do you have the beautiful lake,but desirable,charming neighborhoods,very sought after schools. Wilmette,Winetka,Glencoe,Lake Forest. Again,all easy train to the city 1/2 hr and under. Close to the city is Evanston,home of Northwestern Universiy and a city itself, beautiful old historic homes. Minutes to downtown Chicago. Good Luck to you with your move and welcome.

I agree, those towns you mention are all very nice. However, of the western suburbs, only Elmhurst (and possibily Naperville if you take an express train) is 30 minutes from the city. Geneva/St Charles is 50-60 minutes from Chicago and Glen ellyn/Wheaton are about 45 minutes via Metra (commuter rail). On the north shore, Winnetka and Wilmette are 30 minutes to the loop. Glencoe and Lake Forest are more like 45-50 minutes (even with express trains).

[nanannie]

Thanks for the clarification-I am very surprised that it would take that long

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by nanannie

Thanks for the clarification-I am very surprised that it would take that long

Slow day at work. Too much time to goof off on the internets.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Seriously, if you're afraid of black people, you should move to Iowa or the Dakotas.

I go to that dunkin donuts frequently without any problems at all (I'm a skinny Asian dude with geek glasses.) Although Harlem Ave has its share of riff raff, its laughable to call it dangerous. Just up the block from DD is a Starbucks, Wholefoods, Caribou Coffee, Gap, and Border's Bookstore.

Oh believe me I am anything but afraid of black people, but when you see as you call it "Riff Raff" hanging out at the local strip malls to make people feel un-easy, garbage all over the place, litter in many of the front and back yards because of people not taking care of their houses, broken windows in the homes along again the busiest street in town, bumper to bumper traffic as far as the eye can see on streets loaded with potholes, and weeds 6' tall lining again the busiest street in town along with all the vacant store fronts in the downtown area, then sure you are right it's a beautiful town. LOL! Why not just compare it with Banockburn, or Winnetka while we're at it. LOL! Get real, Oak Park is nice in a few parts... VERY FEW, over all its a dump esp along Harlem Avenue. Oh and for the record, you will see Starbucks just about anywhere so to name a few places and call it a nice SAFE area because there's a Borders??? LOL! Ever been to Brooklyn or Queens? Oh it's real safe and guess what? Not only is there a Borders and Starbucks, but theres even stores like Macys!

[acdevane]

I currently live in england and want to buy a medium to large sized family home with a good sized front and back garden, close to shopping malls and a school. Doesnt need to be an amazing good school just decent. I want to be able to get to work in downtown Chicago in around 30 minutes but 1 hour is ok. That is via train, car or any other method of thransport. I dont really want to consider options further than that. I will have around $800k to spend on this house. I want a relatively safe area but i will consider average areas if it meets other criteria. Please could you tell me where would meet my needs and the distance from downtown Chicago?

Naperville, which I'm sure you've seen on posts will provide pretty much everything you are looking for. There are several properties around $800K within the unincorporated portions of Naperville, where you can find a very nice 4 bedroom home on around an acre. Naperville is extremely safe. You can get to the city in under an hour by train, but may need to take a bus to the train as there is a wait for parking spots. Whether you want it or not, the schools are amazing. They are one of our biggest draws. We joke that if you can't find it in Naperville, it doesn't exist. There are numerous shopping venues throughout the city.

Lisle may be another option for you. It is a much smaller town, but very close to Naperville so there will always be something to do. If you'd like to see what Naperville has to offer check out it's website.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by NYrules

I just can't believe people on here are still recommending that town, or any near there when there are so many nicer burbs to live in.

Maybe because, despite whatever impression you got driving down Harlem (which, btw, is a mistake any time of day. you can go faster down side streets), its still an extremely safe and attractive town...part suburban/part urban. Its essntially a mini-Chicago: very diverse, some very rich, some very poor.

And just maybe, there are also people who dont like spending 2 hours in their car each direction to work.

[gardener34]

Yes, getting to the city from st. charles is kind of ridiculous. Geneva better because it has a train. But even then it is an hour plus on the train. Plus you add getting on the train, parking, etc.
Oak park is for those who want to live in the city - but don't want to live "IN the city" as it is nicer and safer with better schools.

[BLOOMINGTONIAN]

I've been through Oak Park many times on Roosevelt Road, North Avenue, and the Eisenhower. Are you people serious? Have any of you EVER lived anywhere nice?? Where I come from, a place like that is called a ghetto.