"I'm going to live in Lombard." <pause> (Chicago: job, housing)

[ham727]

Okay, I'm going to be very blunt here. I've been on about half a dozen job interviews in the Chicago area. When I mention to the interviewer that we are looking at living in Lombard, there is always a pause ... and then they say something like, "Lombard's okay" and kinda smile nervously.

After doing our research and visiting the towns in the area, including Lombard, we think that it's a great place---an up-and-coming town. I like that the downtown area is small and moves at a slower pace. Plus, I have a good friend who lives in Lombard and she loves it.

Any thoughts on how people are reacting to my desire to move to Lombard? I guess I'd like to know why people are pausing like that every time I mention Lombard.

It seems that, in the Chicago area, there is lot of emphasis on the city you live in and the status it brings you. Am I right here? My husband and I are not concerned about "status" ---- we just want to live in a town with people who care about people more than they care about the status of living there. We want a nice house, nice furniture, nice cars, high-tech toys, just like everyone else, but we do not define ourselves by those things.

Thoughts anyone?

~Nancy

[deegers]

Have you ever asked them what their opinion was on Lombard? Sometimes, if you say I'm condiering Lombard, people might feel more comfortabel explaining themselves. REmember, it's your future home, not theirs.

Lombard is a great town and I have two really great friends that just bought homes there and they love it there. I felt it was a safe and great place to raise a family. I went to hight school there in Glenbard East and it's a really good school. I loved it there. Lombard is a good central place too. They just redid the mall so it's much more up and coming in style and trends. I hear it looks more like Oak Brook these days. I know some people don't like it because it's not GLen Ellyn or ELmhurst, but it's still really good.

[ham727]

Deegers:

We love it, too, and others' opinions of Lombard will not deter us from living there. I just thought it was strange how I got that kind of response from so many people! And I think the location is so ideal! I feel like it's a hidden treasure. )

~Nancy

[deegers]

Originally Posted by ham727

Deegers:

We love it, too, and others' opinions of Lombard will not deter us from living there. I just thought it was strange how I got that kind of response from so many people! And I think the location is so ideal! I feel like it's a hidden treasure. )

~Nancy

Well, good to hear!

[emmi605]

Lombard has a lot to offer. I bet you will like it a lot. I also know many people who live there and are very happy there. It is in an excellent location and everything you could need is close by. I'm going to guess that the "pause" you mentioned is due to the increasing diversity of Lombard. There is just a fear of that among some people. It's sad, but I wouldn't worry about it. It is great that you want to make the most of where you live.

[vester72]

Lombard is nice - not bad, not "great". In the Chicagoland area, people are very, very judgemental about the suburbs. I live in the city (have for 15 years) and am moving to Frankfort for my kids and I hear how I need to move to the North Shore, Barrington or Hinsdale. Those are all great areas, but not for me, but it is amazing how much people push those areas, even if they are not from there.

I looked in many areas prior to making my decision, and for me personally, I will not pay $700k for a 15 year old house in Hinsdale or Northbrook that needs the kitchen redone, when I can custom build a home in a different suburb (that I consider very, very nice) for the same price. There are many other things that make those areas good, but other burbs are undervalued and frankly, at the end of the day if you do not like Lombard, just move in a few years when the housing market recovers.

Anyway, as long as you are happy, schools are solid, crime is low, housing prices are in good shape and you like the area and racial/religious/ethnic, etc makeup of the area, do not hesitate.

Funny how people judge these thing so much (myself included sometimes).

[Lookout Kid]

What line of business are you in? I'm an architect, and in my business you'd be chastised for picking a suburb over the city or an older vintage suburb. Architects aren't supposed to live in urban sprawl!

[Windy City John]

Most people are unaware of the renaissance going on in Lombard--affordable housing, good schools, available parking at Metra stations, 30 minutes to chicago by train, Yorktown re-awakening with the new Westin, Harry Caray's, Capital Grill, Rock Bottom, and Ra Ra Sushi are jsut a few things that are putting Lombard on the desired list.

[HOWELL_STREET]

... Just as my 'guess', perhaps your boss is thinking more about the long hours that maybe he wants you to spend at your desk. Only you know the situation.

However, if your boss asks you to stay until 7 or 8 at night - - the long 'pause' from your boss is that perhaps he is wondering how your family and spouse are going to like that since you will still have to ride the METRA railroad to Lombard.

One other possibility is that of severe winter weather in the Chicago area. The Union Pacific "West Line" Railroad - - as an FYI - - has LESS track switching blocks between Chicago and Lombard. In comparison, the Burlington Northern has more switching blocks between Chicago and Naperville.

With your residence in Lombard, you won't be on the Burlington Northern but I am only making that comparison.

So my point - - if it is 20 below zero outdoors, both track systems could freeze up and then you could be stranded in Chicago or out in Lombard- - and then with very little employment efficiency towards your employer.

So perhaps these are risks that you boss momentarily considered during his 'pause'.

At work, your boss is more concerned about your job efficiency then what you both think about Lombard.

Carter Glass,
Wheaton, IL

[Windy City John]

There are ample trains to Lombard and ample ways to get home in "severe" situations--