Which Chicago suburbs are the best? (Naperville, Elgin: smog, motel, travel)

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by Joe107

I'm glad I'm from the Western suburbs and am not involved in the North/South thing.

North siders think south siders are trashy and South siders think people from the North are pretentious and shallow

I know Joe, The whole thing is just childish and shallow. Its personal choice. Everyone should be happy where they live ,there are so many nice towns to choose from. In reading some comments on these threads, I have to wonder if some people are jealous they cant afford certain towns. To lable an ENTIRE population as snobby or trashy is beyond ridiculous.

[Justabystander]

These posts always crack me up when the question is asked "what is the best suburb to live in"? The answers are always ridiculously subjective, because the people who reply to these things are always trying to sell their own suburb or town or school district. It is really a form of civic bragging disguised as help. Some of the towns that have been mentioned here only make sense because the poster lives in that town and likes it there, otherwise he probably wouldn't be living there to begin with. And they try to sell their town to a poor out of towner who asks blindly as to a subjective opinion.

When I moved here from California, I learned the suburbs by looking through the Chicago Tribune classified ads. The more expensive the prices, the more desiralble the area probably was, either due to location, school district, or type of mix of houses in the area. Usually closer in suburbs with great school districts were the most expensive ( Winnetka and Hinsdale are two good examples). Other close in suburbs such as Glencoe and Oakbrook are also expensive because of good schools and proximity, but are heavily ethnic ( Jewish for Glencoe and Indian and Asian for Oakbrook ) These are subleties that may bother some not in those ethnic groups, but not others.

Some areas are nice, but so far out that unless you have any buisness in those areas, you can forget it due to a commute that could kill you if you have a downtown job. ( Frankfort, Lemont, St. Charles etc. etc.).

If I were you, I would draw a circle aound the radius you want to live from work, look at statistics from the Sun Times list of school scores, find a price range you feel comfortable with, look at Realtor. com or Trulia.com for what that money buys, and drive through the neighborhoods to see them.

I would not take the word of most of these people trying to sell their home towns as a form of "my town is better than yours" , because they are not objective in the least. By the way, my learning by way of the Tribune helped me learn the areas of Chicago far better than most native Chicagoans.

[aragx6]

3 things in response to that:

1. I agree that people try to sell their own area, but I think it's much more about civic pride than trying to trick someone. if people didn't love where they lived they would move. And I think there's a legitimate understanding of this forum that much of the information on here is anecdotal, but that's why people like this site. You can look at percentages and statistics until you're blue in the face. but people want more than that and they turn here. I think most people on this site genuinely want to help people, not make their suburb look better than it is.

2. Oak Brook is 75% white, less than 15% Asian, hardly the ethnic enclave you describe.

3. Saying you know the area better than most natives is insulting and probably untrue. A native has a perspective you can never have because they have seen areas and places change, they understand trends in Chicagoland better than you ever could.

[Justabystander]

I did research on the best suburbs to live for my parents from a library on the west coast as a freshman in college at their request when they were being transferred 23 years ago. The research that I did, and the places that I recommended to them ( my parents trusted me and I was a smart kid) turned out to be prophetic, in that the areas that were pricey back then near transportation and had good schools became even more desireable when the teardown trend started in the late 80's and early 90's. People recommended all sorts of places to them, and they were very confused, just like the poster here is probably confused. NO one said anyone tried to trick anyone in their recommendations, and I think that people here are probably genuine in their help. But civic pride gets in the way of common sense, and given the fact that you have recommendations like Bloomington Normal and South Bend on this post, it is crazy. Just because I really like to live in Harvey, does that mean it is the best suburb for someone to move to??

As for Oak Brook, if you look at a guide called the Qugley 100 (the 100 most affluent neighborhoods in the country) you will see that that town has the highest concentration of affluent asian neighborhoods in the country. Where did you get your stats from? Every place has its good points, and you have to weigh them. But taking peoples word at face value with nothing to back it up is a mistake unless you have a list of desired assets that you want in a town.

Originally Posted by aragx6

3 things in response to that:

1. I agree that people try to sell their own area, but I think it's much more about civic pride than trying to trick someone. if people didn't love where they lived they would move. And I think there's a legitimate understanding of this forum that much of the information on here is anecdotal, but that's why people like this site. You can look at percentages and statistics until you're blue in the face. but people want more than that and they turn here. I think most people on this site genuinely want to help people, not make their suburb look better than it is.

2. Oak Brook is 75% white, less than 15% Asian, hardly the ethnic enclave you describe.

3. Saying you know the area better than most natives is insulting and probably untrue. A native has a perspective you can never have because they have seen areas and places change, they understand trends in Chicagoland better than you ever could.

[mdz]

Oak Brook, Illinois (IL) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news

based on census stats, asian population looks to be about 15%, as aragx6 stated

[SAI126]

Originally Posted by wutoldme

A nice comfortable (tree lined) and affordable suburb to consider is Mount Prospect. The people there have a city like manner and are very down to Earth. Property values there are growing. My nephew graduated from the high school there and just by observing it seems like the kids there are very tight with each other. The high school there has a decent football program and the kids seem not to be too overparented and pretty mature. Nice place to consider and invest in. A lot of newly, modestly remodeled houses. A nice park district where everyone knows everyone at the baseball fields. If I had to raise my kids in any suburb it would be Mount Prospect or something comprable like Park Ridge or Arlington Heights. Getting a house in the city should be the goal for anyone moving to the Chicagoland area though. City kids have something suburban kids don't. Nice areas are Edgebrook, Sauganash and Forest Glen. Edison Park and Norwood Park should be avoided. Must send kids to a Catholic school if in the city though. Unless you go to a fresh magnet school, I'm just keepin it real. The city of Chicago is a testament to the fine people of the Midwest. They're direct, don't bull **** and are not afraid to dish out and receive blows. However they are some of the most loyal and just differently smart people. Cook county including the city and the suburbs is probably one of the overall nicest areas of the country. Do not fool yourself and think you are raising a Chicagoan by living in Aurora or Naperville. Those are garbage cities with garbage people. Anywhere further out than and including Schaumburg is also garbage. There is a thing about city people that makes them very smart, and the some of the strongest people in the world are Chicagoan. South Siders are a different breed, but the best areas are parts of Beverly and Mount Greenwood. To Anyone thinking of living in the Chicago area, I cannot advise the move enough. You will not be dissapointed with the finest most free thinking people in the country. Also, a thing people dont realize is that people who are born in Chicago, die in Chicago. Chicago-- the biggest small town in the world.

God Bless.

This is an example of free thinking? People from Aurora and Naperville are garbage? Residents of Schaumburg, Edison Park and Norwood Park too evidently. For pretending to love Chicago so much, there appear to be a very select number of areas that meet your approval.

[Hepmac]

Originally Posted by daisysforme

We are relocating from Southern California to a whole new way of living. We want the best for our family good neighborhoods, schools (elementry, middle, and high school). What do we look forward too? Are going to fall in love with the state? How are the people are they friendly is the air quality better. Just need information on best places to live. Thank you

Hi, the western suburbs are more affordable than the north suburbs ... and some great choices. We stick to the train line communities with great schools. I recommend Naperville for a larger community. Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Western Springs, Hinsdale, La Grange, Downers Grove for mid-size communities. Geneva/St. Charles for an hour west communities (too far for us).

Get a good map and plan for some driving!

[sgresident]

there is no doubt that when asked, most people will talk about the benefits of their own communty. dah! I think that what someone who is looking to relocate needs to do is research. the internet is great for that. check the housing styles and price ranges, how close is it to where you will be working? do you want a lot of congestion, or do you want more open space? do you have kids? what are their ages and what are the schools like? are you looking for diversity or sameness? A lot of commercial things available or are you willing to drive a bit to get the house of your dreams? everything is very subjective. check with local municipalities, their staff will usually answer questions; check with local chambers of commerce for the availability of doctors, dentists, etc in the area. I could go on, but i think you get the picture. RESEARCH.

[LisaLisa]

Sometimes it's like politics... Liberal is North... conservative is South. That's M.H.O.from someone born and raised south sider. I like North side, but can't afford it. If I ever get down on my luck, I can allways find a great Trailer Park on the south side parts of town.
... I mean really... when you get down on your luck, are you going to live in a cardboard box on the Northside? I'm not ready for Lower Wacker Drive. I'll take a Trailer in the country of the south Side.

[Kiki Jensen]

Lake Forest and Winnetka are lovely