Which Chicago suburbs are the best? (Naperville, Arlington Heights: university, live, beach)

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by lafew1

I have lived in both Chicago and the north Suburbs. I graduated from a north shore high school. I moved to Chicago in 1986 and I never looked back except to visit my parents or visited. The reason; opportunity.

Behind the silk veil of the suburbs sometimes seems like a set of economic one upsmanship in some neighborhoods or social circles. If you have yet to be grilled by an awkward inquiry on finances, in the suburbs, I have. If living among the unsophisticated snobbery is avoidable, then there is the long commute, real estate taxes, and overvalued mortgage payment. A sparsely populated area often has less to offer, as well. Of course, this includes less spice so to speak. You learn to live in Chicago.

The key is living, working and finding a neighborhood in the City or suburbs that you enjoy. Chicago is a City that Works for us; we live in what seems like a soothing Rogers Park neighborhood. For us, diversity and proximity are priorities. When I 'objectively looked' at location, crime rates, the school systems, and value, I saw no reason to move out of Chicago.

In the nineties, we looked at three homes; one on Seward in Evanston, one east of the tracks in Wilmette, and another near Touhy, also off Ridge. The Chicago home seemed like a mansion compared to the Evanston and Wilmette homes. The Evanston home was less than a mile away from the RP Home. The Chicago neighborhood was actually better!

We found better options in the Chicago Public Schools. Strange? Not really! Look at the diversity and the manner in which classes are available for the "gifted" or "higher scoring" students. Whether in grammar school or at the selective enrollment level. Chicago parents seemed more committed at the schools that our kids attend.

Selective enrollment seems tightly regulated and a close read of the newspaper indicates the actual situation. Most of the Selective Enrollment High Schools score better and have facilities for those students who are willing to study. Another challenge is that some parents are more committed to their children's education than others.

Rogers Park is closer to the down town office. Neighbors are of different complexions, not lily white or wearing Izods, but that's the point! Is there an occasional litter bug or vulgar teen or young adult. Yes. Does it affect the overall tempo? No. The RP neighborhood that has worked for us is between Rogers Park and West Ridge, but there are many others at affordable mortgages.

We have resided in RP since 1998. We are five blocks from Evanston, but one purple line stop from Belmont and a few from Wilmette or Skokie. I have a hassle free 38 to 55 minute commute on the Red or Purple Line. The stops are less than a block from my office. If I don't want to jump on the bus that picks up 100 feet from my garage, I can park the car for $4 at the New Howard Terminal.

If I want to have dinner with the family upon arrival at the Howard Terminal, then they meet me at the Hop Haus on Clark and Howard for a burger. Perhaps, we drive to Joy Yee for Asian in Evanston. We are a dog walk away from Charmers and Degal and Beli on Jarvis for a morning coffee and breakfast. We can drop off the dog at Rogers Bark for grooming while eating breakfast on the sidewalk cafe.

Anyone who appreciates population density knows that Rogers Park likely has a lower crime rate per person than neighboring Evanston. The housing stock is affordable and distinguished. With Garden Club, Golf Course, Historical Society, Little Leagues, AYSO, Parents Groups, Zoo, Tennis Courts, and other options, Rogers Park is a hidden gem. If you believe the bloggers, then consider this, they focus upon areas and limited incidents that appear targeted.

The City is not for everyone. It is true that there may be some challenges to living in the City, but I think that the opportunity overcomes it all. The combination of employers, shopping, restaurants, beaches, bike trails, farmers markets, museums, MLB baseball, theater and other fringe benefits simply overwhelms the stodgy suburbs.

Some wish that Chicago might consider promoting and charging the suburbanites out of city resident fees for use of our beaches, pools and other park attractions. I mean Skokie does it with its nearby waterpark. I guess that Mayor Daley is more welcoming and tolerant of suburbanites who visit Chicago.

People who look down on the CPS need to look at Schools like Decatur Classical, Stone Academic, Wildwood, Disney Magnet, even Armstrong. The average parent can read between the lines. We pulled our kids out of private school once we woke up from our ignorance and have not looked back.

If you want a sparsely populated, homogeneous population, and less cosmopolitan existence, then choose the suburbs. My parents did. We didn't. It seems that, for some, the grass is always greener somewhere else. Our grass is green enough and our garden has enough butterflies for one lifetime. We also don't have the outrageous mortgage payments and real estate taxes.

Gee I always though Rogers Park was a bit 'unsavory". You know run down crime ridden and sort of dumpy. Glad to know I was wrong!

http://www.morsehellhole.blogspot.com/

Two females stabbed in Rogers Park :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime

Chicago News Bench: Violent Crime Skyrockets in Rogers Park

Sobczyk to tackle gang crime as new Rogers Park commander | Chicago News, Events and Culture | Chi-Town Daily News

Windy City Times - Hate Crime in Rogers Park


I guess we're not sophisticated enough on the NS for hate crimes, stabbings, gangs and persistent violent crime. If only I could live somewhere as glamorous as RP. What a fool I was for choosing the Gold Coast when I lived in the city! Not knowing that the real jewel in the crown lay further north.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by lafew1

I have lived in both Chicago and the north Suburbs. I graduated from a north shore high school. I moved to Chicago in 1986 and I never looked back except to visit my parents or visited. The reason; opportunity.

Behind the silk veil of the suburbs sometimes seems like a set of economic one upsmanship in some neighborhoods or social circles. If you have yet to be grilled by an awkward inquiry on finances, in the suburbs, I have. If living among the unsophisticated snobbery is avoidable, then there is the long commute, real estate taxes, and overvalued mortgage payment. A sparsely populated area often has less to offer, as well. Of course, this includes less spice so to speak. You learn to live in Chicago.

The key is living, working and finding a neighborhood in the City or suburbs that you enjoy. Chicago is a City that Works for us; we live in what seems like a soothing Rogers Park neighborhood. For us, diversity and proximity are priorities. When I 'objectively looked' at location, crime rates, the school systems, and value, I saw no reason to move out of Chicago.

In the nineties, we looked at three homes; one on Seward in Evanston, one east of the tracks in Wilmette, and another near Touhy, also off Ridge. The Chicago home seemed like a mansion compared to the Evanston and Wilmette homes. The Evanston home was less than a mile away from the RP Home. The Chicago neighborhood was actually better!

We found better options in the Chicago Public Schools. Strange? Not really! Look at the diversity and the manner in which classes are available for the "gifted" or "higher scoring" students. Whether in grammar school or at the selective enrollment level. Chicago parents seemed more committed at the schools that our kids attend.

Selective enrollment seems tightly regulated and a close read of the newspaper indicates the actual situation. Most of the Selective Enrollment High Schools score better and have facilities for those students who are willing to study. Another challenge is that some parents are more committed to their children's education than others.

Rogers Park is closer to the down town office. Neighbors are of different complexions, not lily white or wearing Izods, but that's the point! Is there an occasional litter bug or vulgar teen or young adult. Yes. Does it affect the overall tempo? No. The RP neighborhood that has worked for us is between Rogers Park and West Ridge, but there are many others at affordable mortgages.

We have resided in RP since 1998. We are five blocks from Evanston, but one purple line stop from Belmont and a few from Wilmette or Skokie. I have a hassle free 38 to 55 minute commute on the Red or Purple Line. The stops are less than a block from my office. If I don't want to jump on the bus that picks up 100 feet from my garage, I can park the car for $4 at the New Howard Terminal.

If I want to have dinner with the family upon arrival at the Howard Terminal, then they meet me at the Hop Haus on Clark and Howard for a burger. Perhaps, we drive to Joy Yee for Asian in Evanston. We are a dog walk away from Charmers and Degal and Beli on Jarvis for a morning coffee and breakfast. We can drop off the dog at Rogers Bark for grooming while eating breakfast on the sidewalk cafe.

Anyone who appreciates population density knows that Rogers Park likely has a lower crime rate per person than neighboring Evanston. The housing stock is affordable and distinguished. With Garden Club, Golf Course, Historical Society, Little Leagues, AYSO, Parents Groups, Zoo, Tennis Courts, and other options, Rogers Park is a hidden gem. If you believe the bloggers, then consider this, they focus upon areas and limited incidents that appear targeted.

The City is not for everyone. It is true that there may be some challenges to living in the City, but I think that the opportunity overcomes it all. The combination of employers, shopping, restaurants, beaches, bike trails, farmers markets, museums, MLB baseball, theater and other fringe benefits simply overwhelms the stodgy suburbs.

Some wish that Chicago might consider promoting and charging the suburbanites out of city resident fees for use of our beaches, pools and other park attractions. I mean Skokie does it with its nearby waterpark. I guess that Mayor Daley is more welcoming and tolerant of suburbanites who visit Chicago.

People who look down on the CPS need to look at Schools like Decatur Classical, Stone Academic, Wildwood, Disney Magnet, even Armstrong. The average parent can read between the lines. We pulled our kids out of private school once we woke up from our ignorance and have not looked back.

If you want a sparsely populated, homogeneous population, and less cosmopolitan existence, then choose the suburbs. My parents did. We didn't. It seems that, for some, the grass is always greener somewhere else. Our grass is green enough and our garden has enough butterflies for one lifetime. We also don't have the outrageous mortgage payments and real estate taxes.

I bow down to your superiority, (carefully, without wrinkling my Izod of course)

[Careless]

Rogers Park has 18 times the violent crime rate of Evanston and a median income of $32,000

[midwest1]

I believe this entire thread is missing one of the true hidden gems of Chicagoland and that is Northwest Indiana. Most Chicagoans don't have a clue about what "The Region" has to offer. There are dozens of distinct towns/villages/cities and they are generally not in the same "cookie cutter" mold of many suburbs on the Illinois side of the metro.

Other benefits include the region's most amazing scenery and only national park, the Indidan Dunes, a lower cost of living, lower taxes, a genuinely friendly unpretentious culture, less of a class-based social universe, and a train that has THE BEST entrance into the city with stops in Hyde Park, Soldier Field, McCormick Place, Grant Park, and a terminus at Millenium Par, and if Chicago gets the Olympics, a stop right in the middle of the games.

Northwest Indiana is (besides vertain famous down and out places like Gary) a surprisingly beautiful corner of the country.

[kek1993]

Deerfield. Block parties, know the nieghbors, barbecues on the weekends, kids ride bikes around town. All you need is a dog, and you have that movie, "My dog, Skip, in Deerfield, IL".

I grew up in Wilmette, but Deerfield was much more relaxed, and friendly to me.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Gee I always though Rogers Park was a bit 'unsavory". You know run down crime ridden and sort of dumpy. Glad to know I was wrong!...

I would live in Evanston before I would live in Rogers Park. And this is coming from someone that really does not like Evanston too much!

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Gee I always though Rogers Park was a bit 'unsavory". You know run down crime ridden and sort of dumpy. Glad to know I was wrong!

The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park

Two females stabbed in Rogers Park :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime

Chicago News Bench: Violent Crime Skyrockets in Rogers Park

Sobczyk to tackle gang crime as new Rogers Park commander | Chicago News, Events and Culture | Chi-Town Daily News

Windy City Times - Hate Crime in Rogers Park


I guess we're not sophisticated enough on the NS for hate crimes, stabbings, gangs and persistent violent crime. If only I could live somewhere as glamorous as RP. What a fool I was for choosing the Gold Coast when I lived in the city! Not knowing that the real jewel in the crown lay further north.

Rogers Park has many nice little areas in spite of all of the negative blogs. It's not that bad of a neighborhood within the context of the rest of the city. That said, I wouldn't want to live there myself.

[NorCal Dude]

Originally Posted by midwest1

I believe this entire thread is missing one of the true hidden gems of Chicagoland and that is Northwest Indiana. Most Chicagoans don't have a clue about what "The Region" has to offer. There are dozens of distinct towns/villages/cities and they are generally not in the same "cookie cutter" mold of many suburbs on the Illinois side of the metro.

Other benefits include the region's most amazing scenery and only national park, the Indidan Dunes, a lower cost of living, lower taxes, a genuinely friendly unpretentious culture, less of a class-based social universe, and a train that has THE BEST entrance into the city with stops in Hyde Park, Soldier Field, McCormick Place, Grant Park, and a terminus at Millenium Par, and if Chicago gets the Olympics, a stop right in the middle of the games.

Northwest Indiana is (besides vertain famous down and out places like Gary) a surprisingly beautiful corner of the country.

I do not think that those suburbs are any less desirable, I think it is a matter of size that often results in peoples ignorance with regards to the region. The suburbs are so vast and sprawl nearly 40 miles in every direction from the city proper so its quite easy to be oblivious to vast swaths of suburbia.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Rogers Park has many nice little areas in spite of all of the negative blogs. It's not that bad of a neighborhood within the context of the rest of the city. That said, I wouldn't want to live there myself.

Oh I think RP is just fine. I've often wished it would be gentrified a bit, and has seemed to be on the verge of redevelopment for years.

However, the poster praising its vertues was implying that to live anywhere else would be to declare yourself a culturaly deprived boor.

And seriously?? Rogers Park vs Evanston? Evanston wins hands down.

If I was going to live in the city (and the OP was only asking about different suburbs) there are many other neighborhoods far more sophisticated (not to mention safer).

[midwest1]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dude

I do not think that those suburbs are any less desirable, I think it is a matter of size that often results in peoples ignorance with regards to the region. The suburbs are so vast and sprawl nearly 40 miles in every direction from the city proper so its quite easy to be oblivious to vast swaths of suburbia.

That is true, and in reality, geography and, sad to say, the South Side, and the state line tend to act as both a physical and psychological booundary that isolates Northwest Indiana.

However, there are true hidden gems in the region, places like Chesterton, Porter, Valparaiso, and even more urban areas of Whiting and parts of Hammond.

And really, Indiana is so much better governeed than is Illinois or Cook County. You have the best of both worlds, easy acces to the city with clean responsible government, an unbeatable combo in my opinion.