An Outline For Perusal (Chicago, Aurora: for sale, real estate, foreclosure)

[HOWELL_STREET]

1. Where is my job located now or where is one that I will accept?

2. Where do I want to live? Choose a location with public transportation, preferably with railroad service.

3. Contemplate the future cost of gasoline. How high will it go? Right now, the price is open ended.

4. What is my number one goal for residency? Affordability? Neighborhood cosmetics? Neighborhood crime rate? Property taxes? Schools if you have kids? What do you want for relaxation and recreation?

5 If I want to change careers in the future, what graduate college would I consider near my residency?

6. Web site tools

Zillow - Real Estate Valuations, Homes for Sale, Free Real Estate Information

REALTOR.com - Real Estate Listings & Homes For Sale

NETRonline.com Real Estate Information & Public Records Research

7. Netronline. com will give you foreclosure listings for a given zip code. Also visit the City - Data Forums of "Mortgages" and "Education.


Carter Glass

[HOWELL_STREET]

Towns like Wheaton, Illinois... Batavia, Illinois... and Cortland, illinois would satisfy the requirements of my own outline. Wheaton, IL is a very beautiful and safe community. For future college requirements, one could consider National-Lewis University, Wheaton College and College of DuPage (a community college). Of course, Wheaton also has excellent railroad service between Elburn, Illinois to downtown Chicago.
Batavia, Illinois is another beautiful and safe community, but it does not have direct railroad service. One would have to drive to the Burlington Northern Railroad system in nearby Aurora. Also in Aurora, IL is the University of Aurora and nearby Waubonsee Community College.
Since the commuter railroad service terminates at Elburn, Illinois - - if one were living in Cortland, IL (six miles east of Northern Illinois University) - - one would have to drive about 17 miles one way to Elburn for railroad service. However, it is a very beautiful drive (wide open spaces) in the farmlands of that area.
Also six miles WEST of NIU is Kishwaukee Community College (Malta, IL). IF one owns his home near Cortland, DeKalb or Sycamore... then one can use the in - district tuition and general classes at Kishwaukee, to transfer back to NIU. In that mode, one can save a considerable amount of money.

Carter Glass,
Wheaton, IL &
Cortland, IL

[Chinolala]

Having 1 car, public tranportation into the city is vital. I work in Lombard and my spouse works downtown. I also will not drive more than 1 hour to and from work. I like to be able to walk to stores and restaurants from our home. we don't want to be burdened with lawn care or snow removal and are willing to pay to have these services done, in lieu of the free time it "buys" us on weekends and after work. We also don't have to worry about the outside of our home when we travel. We like to be able to access the city easily, either via driving or taking public transportation. Currently, we can get downtown on the L in under 30 minutes and I can get to work in 45 minutes. We travel regularly and can also get to either airport for under $25.00 via a taxi and in less than 30 minutes. So with that, areas such as Oak Park, Berwyn, Elmwood Park, River Forest and Norridge are perfect for us, as is condominium living. As it is now, we spend about 30 hours per week after work at home awake (from 6 p.m. to midnight) and then weekends. These are premium hours- not at work and not at home sleeping. In order to maximize those hours and spend them driving far to places, shoveling snow, raking leaves, cutting grass, etc. living in a condo that is walkable to amenitites or a short drive is imperative for us.