Looking for kid friendly home within 45 minutes of Ohare (Arlington Heights: real estate, for sale)

[Thinking]

I've updated from an earlier post.

I've driven through Pallantine and Arlington Heights as a first shot at logical areas to look in for a home.

Both much older type communities than I envisioned.

Was wondering if there were any suggestions of other areas within a 45 minute drive of Ohare that have newer developments (say larger single family homes less than 10 years old)? Seems like most of the newer homes in Arlington Heights are replacements of tear down houses.

Looking for really good school districts.

Like parks, playgrounds, pools, etc in the area to make it kid friendly.

Also like convienant shopping.

Willing to pay up to $900k for a 3000-4000 sq ft 5 bedroom home (to give you a frame of reference for size of house needed).

Any suggestions or should I be realistic and look at tear-down replacement homes? Those houses are nice, but don't like the fact that my neighbors house could be a small rancher that is way outdated.

Any ideas are appreciated.

[Thinking]

As additional info a few areas suggested to us that I would be curious on thoughts are:
Western Springs
Vernon Hills
Inverness
Barrington
Glen Ellyn

Would love thoughts on these locations and any others?

THANKS

[ahava]

In Western Springs you could get a brand new house in a new subdivision, but a 5 bedroom one is going to be more than $900k. In Vernon Hills you could probably find what you're looking for in your price range, but under 20 yrs old is more realistic than under 10. The problem is that the towns you're looking at were mostly built out by the mid-'90s. When you drove through Palatine did you look at the neighborhoods off of Roselle Rd? That part of Palatine is newer and the houses are large there.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Thinking

I've updated from an earlier post.

I've driven through Pallantine and Arlington Heights as a first shot at logical areas to look in for a home.

Both much older type communities than I envisioned.

Was wondering if there were any suggestions of other areas within a 45 minute drive of Ohare that have newer developments (say larger single family homes less than 10 years old)? Seems like most of the newer homes in Arlington Heights are replacements of tear down houses.

Looking for really good school districts.

Like parks, playgrounds, pools, etc in the area to make it kid friendly.

Also like convienant shopping.

Willing to pay up to $900k for a 3000-4000 sq ft 5 bedroom home (to give you a frame of reference for size of house needed).

Any suggestions or should I be realistic and look at tear-down replacement homes? Those houses are nice, but don't like the fact that my neighbors house could be a small rancher that is way outdated.

Any ideas are appreciated.

My brother works in Rosemont at a hotel there and lives in Orland Park off 135th and La Grange and makes it to work everyday in about 45 minutes during rush hour. Now, I'm not saying to look there unless you are willing to push the 45 minute thing to a maximum, but would recommend you look in Palos Park which is a little more north right along La Grange Road. There are plenty of new homes that are going up all over the town, and in your price range you can get pretty much the "creme de la creme" so to say. Secret with the south burbs such as Palos Park is to look basically in a square from 104th Avenue to maybe 86th Ave. then no further south than 135th Street to as far north as you can find. South of 135th will put you into Orland Park's traffic which can tie you up for an additional 20 minutes. To get to O'Hare you take La Grange north to I-55 south for about a mile, then exit off onto 294 north and you are on your way. Get yourself an I-Pass and you will move right along no problem.

Anyways though, Palos Park is a VERY prestigous burb and I wouldn't mind living there myself, but I can't afford it. The schools are top of the line, taxes are reasonable, the area has a very rural feel to it even in some cases with horse trails going through the woods and plenty of little ponds and lakes! The area has a nice variety of newer homes to older very classy looking ones that are nestled on large heavily wooded lots, but You may consider hiring a butler! LOL its no joke, some people do have them there!Here are some examples of what to expect in Palos Park. Palos Park Homes for Sale. Real Estate in Palos Park, Illinois

[Glamona]

For that money you can get new construction in Westmont, house in very good condition in La Grange and Western Springs, house in need of personal touches in Hinsdale. All these suburbs are very nice to live, with very good schools, kids friendly. And they are 45 min. away from O'Hare (by car) during a traffic, and 30 min. away with no traffic.

[Thinking]

Thanks for the quick responses -- please keep them coming!!

A couple other areas suggested to us were:
Burr Ridge
Libertyville

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Thinking

Thanks for the quick responses -- please keep them coming!!

A couple other areas suggested to us were:
Burr Ridge
Libertyville

I would go with Burr Ridge. Thats very nice and mostly new. Libertyville is also nice, but very far north and you will have to soley rely on 94 to get you into work in the morning. 94/294 FYI is going to be ripped up for the next few years so don't plan on moving very fast down 94 during rush hour periods or at all for that matter.