Place and commute between East Chicago,IN to Lincolnshire, IL

[aragx6]

OK but the 4x4 model still only gets 20 mpg! What exactly is the point of spending $50+ (and that's not for the 4x4 version) on a car that gets less than 20 miles to the gallon?

[faltuid]

Thanks people for the information. That feedback was very helpful. I was talking to few folks and they gave the same options. Driving from areas off I294 seems to be a workable solution. Have to deal with the IDOT construction on I 294 north. Is it too bad once you cross the
But how is the commute by train (Metra) from downtown to Lincolnshire (Lake Forest). Driving to Lincolnshire from Downtown is definitely a NO NO option. Well, it seems it will be an hour train journey but from Home to Office doorstep will be 90 minutes easy. And in addition, the living expenses are more in the city. I am inclining towards I294. Hope I am heading in the "right direction". Thanks again guys.

[emmi605]

I would look along 294 also. From Burr Ridge (not sure if rentals there) or Westmont up to Elmhurst and on up a little further to Des Plaines. You will find rent more reasonable than the city. Open tolling is helping ease the backups on 294. I have driven in the snow here for 15 years and never needed a huge vehicle. I have had great luck with a front wheel drive or smaller suv's with 4 wheel-drive. Like someone said, there are only a few horrible snow storms a year. If it is that bad along 80-94 from Indiana, you could opt to stay over a night at a hotel on those nights. Sometimes 80-94 does get completely shut down due to lake-effect snow. Your wife will probably always make it home o.k., but it may take awhile. Best of luck.

[NYrules]

The reason I suggested a larger SUV, is because to some people, gas costs don't really matter to them, however what certain individuals FAILED to notice is that I not only recommended a large SUV (suburban, expedition), but also listed numerous smaller ones.

Like I stated yesterday, I have a AWD Lexus SUV and it handles great in the snow. The vehicle is equipted with an electronic snow skid protection so the vehicle won't slip in the snow. Now Lexus came out with the Hybrid model SUVs a year or two ago of which I do not have , but I have to admit that if you can afford one ($43K), they are by far one of the best vehicles for the Chicago area. They ride great on our crappy pothole filled roads, can handle all types of weather, get decent fuel mileage, and last a long long long time, not to mention the rather posh feel to the whole car in general.

[Manigault]

I worked in East Chicago while living in Hyde Park (#3 Sheet Mill, J&L!). On a nice day I could see my job site from my apartment. And vice versa. The commute was real easy down Lake Shore Drive and route 41. Hyde Park is accessible to the downtown for your wife to take Metra out to the burbs. But, remember, there is really no rapid trans to East Chicago industry from anywhere.

My only problem with vehicles was convincing my fellow workers that I was driving a US-made car.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Manigault

I worked in East Chicago while living in Hyde Park (#3 Sheet Mill, J&L!). On a nice day I could see my job site from my apartment. And vice versa. The commute was real easy down Lake Shore Drive and route 41. Hyde Park is accessible to the downtown for your wife to take Metra out to the burbs. But, remember, there is really no rapid trans to East Chicago industry from anywhere.

My only problem with vehicles was convincing my fellow workers that I was driving a US-made car.

I suppose they were the same dip $#!ts that would go and say that Ford and GM are made all in America when most of the parts in the cars are made in either Canada or Mexico and even China and then in the next breath they would critize someone for driving a Toyota which is made right in Tennessee as my old Camry said right on the sticker on the side of the door, or Mitsubishi which is made right in Bloomington Normal, or Honda which is made right in Ohio.

[prairiestate]

Here's one problem with the lack of a south suburban presence on this board. Everyone's talking about the minor widening project going on near O'hare on the Tri-State (which, incidentally, is the responsibility of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, not IDOT.) Nobody has bothered to mention that you have to take the Tri-State to get to East Chicago, there is no other reasonable alternate. Also not mentioned is that the south end of the Tri-State will be widened over the next two years, from 95th St. to I-80. This year they were only doing preliminary work , and traffic slowed to a crawl before the Stevenson. When they actually begin tearing it up next year, traffic will be at a standstill almost to the Wisconsin border. If you live in the west suburbs, be prepared for a minimum 4 hour round trip commute to East Chicago. Unfortunately, there is no where you can live that won't then mean a 4 hour commute to Lincolnshire. Honestly, one of you should think of finding a new job. Finding somewhere to live that's a reasonable commute to each location is going to be impossible.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

Here's one problem with the lack of a south suburban presence on this board. Everyone's talking about the minor widening project going on near O'hare on the Tri-State (which, incidentally, is the responsibility of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, not IDOT.) Nobody has bothered to mention that you have to take the Tri-State to get to East Chicago, there is no other reasonable alternate. Also not mentioned is that the south end of the Tri-State will be widened over the next two years, from 95th St. to I-80. This year they were only doing preliminary work , and traffic slowed to a crawl before the Stevenson. When they actually begin tearing it up next year, traffic will be at a standstill almost to the Wisconsin border. If you live in the west suburbs, be prepared for a minimum 4 hour round trip commute to East Chicago. Unfortunately, there is no where you can live that won't then mean a 4 hour commute to Lincolnshire. Honestly, one of you should think of finding a new job. Finding somewhere to live that's a reasonable commute to each location is going to be impossible.

What he said. My first instinct when I saw the "me: East Chicago, her: Lincolnshire" split commute was "one of you needs to find a different job," because I promise that's what will happen sooner or later. If one of you doesn't do it now, then one or both of you will have absolutely had it with the commute within a few months.

[ahava]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

Here's one problem with the lack of a south suburban presence on this board. Everyone's talking about the minor widening project going on near O'hare on the Tri-State (which, incidentally, is the responsibility of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, not IDOT.)

Minor?! 32 miles of highway is being rebuilt and widened. Maybe if your commute was two to three times longer because of it such that you have to quit a job you love and find a new one closer to home, you wouldn't think it was so minor.

That being said, I agree from my own experience that living somewhere in between isn't going to work. I work in Lincolnshire and I live in Western Springs, which is right off of I-294. Unless you enjoy living in your car, save yourself the frustration and find a new job now.