Finding a place to live.. (Elgin, Des Plaines: apartment, moving, train)

[amyburr05]

I currently live in Elgin, work in Elk Grove Village. I was never much one for the city, however, I particularly like being close to the city but still in the suburbs.

I'm moving soon, but dont really know where I want to go. I dont want to live IN chicago, but very close to it. I want to live right off of some expressways, possibly a train, but I am unaware of what towns in the area are nice, and which are bad and unsafe.

I'm looking to go somewhere no further north of Des Plaines, no further south than I-55 and no further west than Wheaton. I know this is a pretty large area, and many towns in it, but do any in that range scream out "great place to live?" I'm leaning to stay a bit north so I'm not that far from work, I wish I was more familiar with this area. I dont want to live in the ghetto, but I also cant afford something exceptionally nice either.. It's just me and a little one bedroom apartment.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[ahava]

Elmhurst is nice, and your commute would be short. It is right off of I-294 and 290 and has a Metra train to the city as well. La Grange and Oak Park are really nice too but your commute would probably be too long.