A Beautiful Place To Live (Chicago, Maywood: low crime, homes, schools)

[HOWELL_STREET]

Channahon, Illinois is a far Chicago suburb town that I have never seen mentioned on this forum. Although, I have been there several times for a Sunday afternoon picnic situation, I believe it is a beautiful and safe town, though quite small. However, I don't know much about the town.
So, perhaps somebody would have an interest in talking about it? The schools, probably low crime rate(?), and gorgeous forestation. Check it out on different web sites if you have an interest.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[Manigault]

The only problem I see with Channahan is that some nut may stop his car in that burb and then shoot his wife and kids in the head. But, hey, that's life in a small town.

Oswego dad could get death if convicted in slayings -- chicagotribune.com

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Manigault

The only problem I see with Channahan is that some nut may stop his car in that burb and then shoot his wife and kids in the head. But, hey, that's life in a small town.

....and big cities, and medium-sized cities, and....

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

....and big cities, and medium-sized cities, and....

That's exactly my point. Could you clue in the OP?

[BRU67]

More push for sprawl to get away from minori...I mean crime. In 15 years we're all going to have to wear 80 SPF sunblock just to walk to the car but, hey, we'll all be safe as kittens!

[HOWELL_STREET]

IF I interpret Manigault and Steve - O correctly, then I would have to assume that one should obtain a concealed handgun permit and then carry a hostered 9 MM Glock around. Even in the gorgeous towns like Channahon? Perhaps they are both correct and that may happen someday in the future. But the bottom line question of this forum is "What are the safe towns around Chicago (right now)." It is my opinion that most people would interpret it that way.
I would ABSOLUTELY consider Channahon far much better than Maywood, Illinois regarding a safe residential haven.
The people interested in causing crime are far less than the law abiding citizens. But the city of Chicago handicaps those law abiding citizens from owning firearms within the city limits of Chicago.
On the flip side, Chicago absolutely CAN NOT control their gang bangers who carry illegal firearms until they are caught. Then it is too late for some murdered people.

Carter Glass

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by BRU67

More push for sprawl to get away from minori...I mean crime. In 15 years we're all going to have to wear 80 SPF sunblock just to walk to the car but, hey, we'll all be safe as kittens!

That one thing people don't stress about sprawl -- it kills the water table. The effect is colder winters and much hotter summer temps. All that greenery around one makes it a better place to live. It also helps with the runoff from storms.

[mdz]

I'll say one nice thing about Channahon--The I&M bike trail goes through the area and there's a real pretty stretch starting at the dam near Route 6 going towards Morris. Highly recommended.

[sbd78]

I think Channahon is a very nice town. It is good for young families that can't afford the more established burbs since you get much more for your money there, and also for people looking to get out of the more congested suburbs an into an area with more open spaces. Channahon itself doesn't have much shopping, but is a short drive to Shorewood which has everything lining route 59. It has great highway access, it is located near interstates 55 and 80. I suspect Channahon will see considerable growth in the future.

[marmsy]

as a resident of channahon for >6 years and having lived in the joliet area (joliet, elwood, joliet and now channahon) my whole life i would love to give props to channahon.

the aforementioned i&m canal is one reason to live here. easy access to i55 & i80, even being exurban on a regular non rush hour traffic jaunt to the big city it only takes 45 minutes. rt 6, the main stretch of road that runs through the village was widened to 4 lanes several years ago and has made this stretch of road to i55 much more palatable.

it is true there is not much in the way of shopping out here. that's truly fine. i've watched this community grow from small village to a bustling little suburban hub and now am interested in seeing what is going to come out of the slumped housing market (i, for one am happy with this, green space is why we chose to live out here, access to forest preserves and open land was a huge determinant in moving here vs. new lenox (which is lovely in its' own right).

for my family it is the perfect blend. anyone who lives in the chicago area knows that it takes 45 mins - an hour to get anywhere (even city dwellers have been known to state the same fact). it's a great mix of country beauty with the definite advantage of being near the more bustling burbs (naperville takes 30 mins to get to) and close enough to the city (<1 hour). i'm not a huge fan of living near the big box type stores anyway. if i need a target/wal mart/macy's/carson's/jc penney/kohl's/kmart type store they are within a 10-15 drive.

schools are fantastic. our park district is bar none for a village of our size. homes are mostly lovely (nothing too historic however homes range from the $150's to well over $750k+, mostly new, mix of cookie cutter to custom jobs). the only complaint i really have is the lack of a downtown square/downtown area. the village was established in the late 60's (near the now ghost town of 1800'sish dresden) and has been trying, fairly unsuccessfully for whatever reason, to get a new "old" town center built. it was supposed to break ground in 2005-6 and has yet to see the light of day.

all in all, it's a beautiful place to live. near the interstates. and that murder, well dudes. the family wasn't even from around here!!