Need help with where to relocate outside Chicago (Aurora, Naperville: mortgage, income)

[Sarie1975]

We used to live in Lincoln Park in Chicago and then moved out to Boston suburbs about 3 years ago. Now we're moving back to Chicagoland. My husband will be commuting to downtown (about 3 blocks from the train station) and I will be staying at home with our two little kids (3 years and 3 mos). We're looking for an area that is safe and child-friendly. Where $500K can buy you a nice 3-4 bdrm, 2500-3000 sq. ft house and where we'll be surrounded by people who are in the same age group (30s) and same financial boat as we are (income around $150-200K). Ideally, we would love a downtown that has cute shops and restaurants and it would be super nice if we could afford to live close enough that we could walk to downtown. My parents live in Aurora so we've been looking at the western burbs, but just want to make sure we're not overlooking anything. I think we would love at town like Evanston (north of city), but that's just so pricey. We definitely do want a slightly affluent feel to the area - those towns tend to attract the stores where we like to shop. Any ideas?

[sbd78]

Sounds like Naperville would be a good fit for you. It has all the things you are looking for. It has a wonderful downtown with cute shops and great restaurants, and you would be near your parents in Aurora.

[HOWELL_STREET]

I also agree with 'SBD - 78' in the choice of Naperville. And so let me add a few more comments.

A very good choice is a railroad community and Naperville is one of them. So is Aurora and both are on the Burlington Northern / Santa Fe RR system.

So ask yourself, "What happens if hubby has to head for home - - fast - - during a family emergency"? Perhaps something 'wrong' with your Aurora family members? Or perhaps your own family?

And perhaps the price of gasoline soars to out of site prices? Then you would want to live in a railroad community.

Is your husband's job closer to downtown Chicago's Olgivie Station? Or is it closer to Union Station? These are minor points since both stations in downtown Chicago are about four blocks apart.

So ask yourself the question as to 'who is more at risk' during an emergency'? Your own family with maybe kids or your Aurora parents?

One other thing to definetly consider is to rent for one year before buying. Why? Because it appears that hubby is on a roller coaster career. And also the Chicago area houses will soon reduce in asking prices - - as much as 40%. So you would not want to invest into a $500K house now and then become 'upside - down' with your mortgage in the future.

So with all of this in mind, Wheaton could also be a good choice for you (?) Or even Batavia, IL (?)

In this thread, I am only trying to fine tune your choices since to reiterate, SBD78 has already stated your best choice as Naperville, IL.

Carter Glass

[jessiegirl_98]

I would really consider Naperville. Of those burbs, it has a very happening nightlife, lots of nice restaurants), is affluent, has a metra stop and great schools.

[Steve-o]

Geneva, St. Charles, Bartlett, Wasco, Wayne, Naperville, Plainfield, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Winfield, Lombard, Hinsdale, Schaumburg, Warrenville, etc, would probably fit your bill.

[Windy City John]

Nice downtowns-- Elmhurst, Hinsdale, LaGrange, Wheaton, Downers Grove, & Glen Ellyn
Come check them out.