Are Joliet and Aurora really that bad? (Chicago, Rockford: section 8, sale)

[rhiannonsmum]

or Winfield. Right next door to Wheaton and much more affordable. Good luck!

[rhiannonsmum]

Try Warrenville or Winfield or West Chicago. Right next door to Wheaton and not as expensive.

[irish setter girl]

I would agree with Winfield, Warrenville, Elburn, Carol Stream,and the far west side of Aurora. However, some of the nicer parts of Aurora are not that reasonable any more. If you head down to the Plainfield area there is a great dog training facility ( I took my fur baby there) if you need any resources or want to work somewhere before you go out on your own. What about Woodridge or Lisle?

[CoffeeAddict]

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I really wish the area wasn't 5 hours away from me so I could go down an check things out myself. Not sure when I'll be able to plan a weekend trip but I will keep all these suggestions in mind for when I finally get down there.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by rhiannonsmum

Try Warrenville or Winfield or West Chicago. Right next door to Wheaton and not as expensive.

West Chicago is iffy... the nice parts are from Washington north to Rt. 59. There are also some nice spots between Washington and Prince Crossing, east of 59 as well. Other than that, the rest of town is old and has some gang problems, not someplace that Id recommend. Oh, also the area along Prince Crossing/Indian Knoll Rd and the area by Sonny Acres Pumpkin farm is nice.

[jenrik2714]

I am sorry, but the far east side of Aurora is NOT BAD. The middle portion of Aurora is bad, but not all parts of Aurora are bad. I hate to break it to you people, but Warrenville and Wheaton are just as expensive.

Try Yorkville, Sugar Grove or Plano

[vinlukin]

I can't speak about Aurora but Joliet has good and bad places. Basically forget everything east of the river unless you want to live in the ghetto or Mexico. West of the river is mixed until about six corners then it gets better going west. Of course there are places here and there that are bad.

I own two houses in Joliet, and other than one neighbor both places are in nice areas. I have one for sale on the far west side that is in the Plainfield school district.

Even if you are in the Joliet school system there are private schools to get away from the mess.

I have my opinions on Joliet, the good being the excellent fire fighters and paramedics. The bad being the high amount of illegal aliens, the public schools, and I wouldn't eat at any fast food place because I can't trust the people making the food. That might go for almost anywhere though.

[Chinolala]

I'd question anything that is "cheap". When homes are "cheap" in comparison to the outlying area as a whole it means: it's far from the core areas of employment, the land isn't worth much, the school district isn't up to par, it has a fair amount of crime, the taxes are high due to community growth, etc. I don't know where you'll be working and what you'll be spending on gas or the train to get to work. Take that into account. If you're paying $5,000 in real estate taxes for a school district that you're not directly using and then spending another $100+ to get to and from work, take that into account. You have to think "outside" of your mortgage and factor in projected real estate tax and the cost of living in Aurora. That's my advice.

[giazma]

I live in the very west side of joliet, and naperville is only about 20 minutes if I take Rte 30, I live in a centex sub which is very nice and close to everything.

[iac74205]

I grew up in Naperville, and I do not suggest anything in East Aurora. While the city (Aurora) has done some improving, I would be suspect of any neighborhood between Rt 59 and Route 31. I highly suggest taking a look for yourself, as the difference between the "nice" areas and "bad" areas is easily seen in how the houses are kept, and the number of police shelters on corners.