Life in La Grange, Illinois (Chicago, Wheaton: work, housing, home search)

[RHP]

We're considering a move to LaGrange. My husband and I both work downtown, and we have a small child. What's it like living there? We value a place that has an urban feel to it, diversity, nice outdoor areas, friendly neighbors, etc. Any positives or negatives to living in LaGrange? Thanks.

[Windy City John]

Beautiful community with solid midwestern values and a village feel to it. I wouldnt call it urban I'd call it vintage suburb just like Riverside, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Glen Ellyn. If you want more urban consider Oak Park River Forest.

[Burr Oak]

I concur with Windy City. I don't live in LaGrange, but have lived around it all my life. It is a beautiful suburb with a quality government and school systems. It has good access to Metra (the railroad line) for the folks who work downtown. I agree it's not urban, it's an older suburb with easy access to the city. It has several fine restaurants and a brand new library.

[60439]

Take a look at Lemont. If what you like about LaGrange are the big victorian homes, try Lemont. Much better value for your money. Great schools, small town atmosphere, Metra station and great expressway access via I55 and I355. On my street there is a beautiful new victorian (built 2006) on the market for way below the appraisal. From our street (Walter) you can walk to Metra, walk to the library and communtity park with swim, tennis and gymnasium, walk to shopping and restaurants, and be on the I-355 in 3 minutes. Lemont would be a great choice and there is real value to be had in the housing stock.

[aragx6]

You'll be far farther from the city in Lemont. I love LaGrange, Lemont is more so so imo. True, better house for the money in Lemont, but if you're looking for something like LaGrange, you'd probably be pretty disappointed with Lemont.

[60439]

I agree LaGrange has better name recognition, but I think Lemont is a hidden gem. As I have never lived in LaGrange, I have no personal knowledge of it being good bad or indifferent. We moved to the Chicagoland area 5 years ago and found that the same suburbs were always recommended to us. It seemed like there was a canned list of where to send newcomers. We found Lemont after visiting many areas and interviewing schools and Lemont beat them all hands down, especially on the schools part. I just want people to know there are other areas and to check them out. You will be pleasantly surprised.

RHP, if you have any questions about Lemont, you can email me personally by clicking on my name at the top of the post. Good Luck in your home search.

[sbd78]

Originally Posted by 60439

I agree LaGrange has better name recognition, but I think Lemont is a hidden gem. As I have never lived in LaGrange, I have no personal knowledge of it being good bad or indifferent. We moved to the Chicagoland area 5 years ago and found that the same suburbs were always recommended to us. It seemed like there was a canned list of where to send newcomers. We found Lemont after visiting many areas and interviewing schools and Lemont beat them all hands down, especially on the schools part. I just want people to know there are other areas and to check them out. You will be pleasantly surprised.

RHP, if you have any questions about Lemont, you can email me personally by clicking on my name at the top of the post. Good Luck in your home search.

I agree that Lemont is a really pretty suburb, and one that doesn't get mentioned enough. LaGrange is nice too, you can't go wrong with either one.

[aragx6]

Yes, but if they are both working downtown, LaGrange makes a lot more sense.

[RHP]

Thanks for all this feedback, everyone. Very helpful. If you think of anything else pertinent, I'd love to know.

BTW, Lemont sounds charming, but as someone pointed out, it would be too far from the city for my husband and me since we work downtown. thanks!

[emmi605]

LaGrange is one of my favorite towns and seems to have what many families want in a suburb. I don't live there, but looked for homes at one time there, and would have moved there had I found the right home at the right time. There are other comparable suburbs on the west train lines like Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, and Wheaton, but LaGrange has a comfortable feeling that makes it unique. Best of Luck.