Land available in North/West Chicago? (Mundelein, Barrington: sale, house prices, safe area)

[mbear]

I am seriously considering relocating/returning to the Chicago area and have read through many of the posts - thank you to those who provided these insights. Twenty five years ago I lived in waukegan > ( while my husband was stationed at Great Lakes. I worked in Mundelein and later Long Grove - loved to garage sale in lake forest and winnetka. I'm sure things have changed so I am hoping for fresh information.

I am living in the houston area on a heavily wooded 15 acres which is very nice. Problem is I hate and despite the climate here as do my adult children. I actually remember the Chicago climate fondly. The more snow the better!

I know it is a fantasy but I'd like to get as close as possible to a small farm or buildable lot of decent size. I am partial to trees and older homes also as I have a large victorian in Maine (translate to no jobs, but otherwise gorgeous) I think I could probably clear 350 to 500,000 on the sale of both properties but is there anything available in Chicago or even Southern Wisconsin?

I do plan to finish my mba and work in the metro area and schools and safety are important. Also, I would like to keep my horses if at all possible.

Thanks in advance for any advice, other than stay down there and sweat

[eli499]

mbear,

I think you should look in the Barrington area. Lots of trees and wooded areas. Big horse country. Might have to search hard to find something really big for under $500,000, but you should be able to find something. Safe area, good schools, and convenient train to metro area. (I lived in Houston for a couple years...absolutely agree with you on the climate. Come back north!)

[gardener34]

If you have money, you would like Wayne. It is a definitely equestrian oriented town with big lot sizes.
You will have to go pretty far outside the metro area to get decent acreage for horses without having to pay $$ for property taxes.

[Steve-o]

Id agree with gardener34, Wayne is a big horse community. The only problem is the insane house prices. The town is small and very quiet, yes, even being in the middle of the suburbs. Rumor has it that Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughan just bought some property in Wayne. It hasnt been confirmed by their publicist, but they were definitely spotted out there.

[Schmoo]

MBear, how close to the city do you want to be? Do you want a suburban area or a rural area? 15 acres in that price range is going to be very difficult unless you get over 75 miles west of Chicago.

[NannyinHE]

try out near spring grove il theres lots out that way. and if you want to board your horses somewhere while you are looking out here, let me know my friend has a horse barn that she rents out stalls from.

caminoel1227@gmail.com

[rayj]

Mbear,

you may want to look in the north Wadsworth area as I know there are horse lovers up that way and some land. I am not sure as to the cost though.