Homes Along Randall Road

[Chicago Suburbanite]

I've been in the area my entire life and the illegal immigrant comment was spot on... sad but true. I get sad every time I drive past the abandoned Santa's Village not really related to that comment but I just thought about it....

The traffic along Randall Road is frickin insane! Try driving on it during rush hour and you'll get the picture. It's not all bad though, I really enjoy the Algonquin Commons dinning/shopping but so do thousands of others and therein lies the problem!

[tcs1366]

my brother lives just north of Santa's Village, off of 25.
is so sad.

any idea what they are going to do with all that property??? condos or a strip malls??
again... so sad.

[emmi605]

I cannot even count how many people that I know that have been disappointed by their "cheap and huge" home out in the outer rims of suburban expansion. I have heard horror stories of drywall coming down, plumbing leaks behind walls, roofs needing to be replaced within five years, etc... What everyone needs to realize is that these "cookie-cutter" homes really vary in quality. You do get what you pay for in most cases. If you are only staying a short while, then maybe these homes are a good choice, but resale value isn't always the greatest. Another issue has been the taxes. I had two acquaintances move out to Plainfield about 7-8 years ago during the boom of "big-cheap" houses. Their taxes on their 4 bedroom-3 bath (2200) square foot home are now 9K a year due to the need for new infrastructure (schools, water systems, etc..). For those out there reading this thread and the one who initially posted I urge you to do your homework on the builders. Find out about the materials used and especially the warranties. The warranties seem to have a lot of loopholes as one would imagine. Best of luck in finding your dream home. Everyone has their own desires, but no one wants to have to do endless repair on a "new" home.

[Georgia]

I lived in Crystal Lake from 2001-2004 end.
Actually the right hand side of the road Miller off Randall was Crystal Lake, the left hand side was LITH or Lake in the Hills.

I was 7 miles north of the 90 tollway. Area 64 schools S. Crystal Lake and worked in Schaumburg. Exactly, 23 miles door to door.

Pros:

I loved Crystal Lake. The people, the area, everything but one item.

Cons:

Commute. The commute down Randall Road was terrible. Keep in mind at that time the toll off the Randall Road exit was 2 lanes with no I Pass.
Rt 62 was also 2 lanes with construction to 4. Horrible
Rt 14 was always under some type of construction.

End result, my 23 mile commute averaged 45 - 90 minutes one way on any given day. If it snowed or iced, well, make sure you bring some water and a sandwich along with a full tank of fuel.

Today I have been told by friends that due to the 90 additonal lanes and 62 finished through Algonquin to Rt 25 that it has became a little better.

If I come back to the area I will be looking around Bartlett or closer just due to the trafffic.

Again, the Crystal Lake area is outstanding if you want low crime, good schools, everything you need, friendly folks, and low sales tax rates vs. Cook. Of course you get it with higher property tax millage.

Carpentersville? I would not venture there to much. There is new Carpentersville off Randall and Old Carpentersville off 25, but when locals here the name they cringe. That was the main reason I did not buy there. Trust the local folks, they won't steer you wrong.

Good Luck and enjoy Illinois, God knows I miss it.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by Chicago Suburbanite

I've been in the area my entire life and the illegal immigrant comment was spot on... sad but true. I get sad every time I drive past the abandoned Santa's Village not really related to that comment but I just thought about it....

The traffic along Randall Road is frickin insane! Try driving on it during rush hour and you'll get the picture. It's not all bad though, I really enjoy the Algonquin Commons dinning/shopping but so do thousands of others and therein lies the problem!

Sorry to hear about Santa's Village. It seemed to be going down while I was there as Elgin was moving north. I agree with your comments and it is sad that our government does not enforce our laws, but that is a different debate for a different thread.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by emmi605

I cannot even count how many people that I know that have been disappointed by their "cheap and huge" home out in the outer rims of suburban expansion. I have heard horror stories of drywall coming down, plumbing leaks behind walls, roofs needing to be replaced within five years, etc... What everyone needs to realize is that these "cookie-cutter" homes really vary in quality. You do get what you pay for in most cases. If you are only staying a short while, then maybe these homes are a good choice, but resale value isn't always the greatest. Another issue has been the taxes. I had two acquaintances move out to Plainfield about 7-8 years ago during the boom of "big-cheap" houses. Their taxes on their 4 bedroom-3 bath (2200) square foot home are now 9K a year due to the need for new infrastructure (schools, water systems, etc..). For those out there reading this thread and the one who initially posted I urge you to do your homework on the builders. Find out about the materials used and especially the warranties. The warranties seem to have a lot of loopholes as one would imagine. Best of luck in finding your dream home. Everyone has their own desires, but no one wants to have to do endless repair on a "new" home.

Your post should be mandatory reading for all the people looking for nothing more then that "BIG" house.Everytime I see all the hundreds of these cookie cutter housing developments, I wonder how many roofs are leaking, who is freezing and how the heck they will all eventualy sell their investments and make a decent profit.

[sgresident]

I would not go there. big issues with illegal immigration, gangs and poor property values. Perhaps you should try further west..gilberts etc in that northern region. or maybe some of the homes along randall in south elgin. Price is not the only factor you should be considering when looking at your home purchase.

[gardener34]

New home? They have some in South Elgin - go for the developments that advertise they have St. charles school district. - 303.