(Sub)Urbs for Artists (Chicago, Arlington Heights: environment, relocating, budget)

[futurecitizen]

Hi all,

We are relocating the family from San Francisco to Chicago, and, like most, concerned about safety and schools for the kiddies. I'm gleaning from all the posts that Evanston would be a good fit. But are there any other towns that are more conducive to the arts than others? Can any of the suburbs be viewed in this way? Or little towns around the area? Any areas/towns we should NOT go to, i.e. they are overly conservative, etc? Hate to be so reductionist, but how else to know? We are thinking along the lines of arlington heights, evanston, Riverside, maybe berwyn, oak park....

We're looking to buy in the neighborhood of $300,000. Any advice would be great.

Thanks!

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by futurecitizen

Hi all,

We are relocating the family from San Francisco to Chicago, and, like most, concerned about safety and schools for the kiddies. I'm gleaning from all the posts that Evanston would be a good fit. But are there any other towns that are more conducive to the arts than others? Can any of the suburbs be viewed in this way? Or little towns around the area? Any areas/towns we should NOT go to, i.e. they are overly conservative, etc? Hate to be so reductionist, but how else to know? We are thinking along the lines of arlington heights, evanston, Riverside, maybe berwyn, oak park....

We're looking to buy in the neighborhood of $300,000. Any advice would be great.

Thanks!

Oak Park and Evanston would be a good fit. Evanston is a college town and Oak Park is a college town without a college . Unfortunately, $300k isn't going to get you much in either city, unless you're willing to go condo. Berwyn would be a great fit given your budget and criteria. It's right next to Oak Park and Riverside and has a strong community of artists and musicians. $300k would get you a very nice Chicago Bungalow, especially in this market. Riverside is a beautiful town in terms of architecture and layout but it's clearly more conservative and older than Evanston and OP, and the cost of entry (not to mention taxes) is even higher. Can't say I know much about Arlington Heights, other than it's not generally known as a haven for artists.

[sukwoo]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Oak Park and Evanston would be a good fit. Evanston is a college town and Oak Park is a college town without a college . Unfortunately, $300k isn't going to get you much in either city, unless you're willing to go condo. Berwyn would be a great fit given your budget and criteria. It's right next to Oak Park and Riverside and has a strong community of artists and musicians. $300k would get you a very nice Chicago Bungalow, especially in this market. Riverside is a beautiful town in terms of architecture and layout but it's clearly more conservative and older than Evanston and OP, and the cost of entry (not to mention taxes) is even higher. Can't say I know much about Arlington Heights, other than it's not generally known as a haven for artists.

Don't overlook Forest Park as well. Its right next door to Oak Park and is booming as people (and businesses) who are priced out of Oak Park move in.

[GoCUBS1]

I have friends who are graphic artists who love Arlington Heights. But then I know artists who live in all types of IL towns (conservative, liberal, country, industrial, whatever...) Can't artists find inspiration everywhere?

As a parent, I'd be more interested in how well the schools are performing in the districts you are considering. I believe IL has some of the biggest disparities between excellent performing and poor performing school districts. I would make that my #1 priority. You can always commute to galleries, shows, etc. Just my 2 cents....

[Sailaway50]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

I have friends who are graphic artists who love Arlington Heights. But then I know artists who live in all types of IL towns (conservative, liberal, country, industrial, whatever...) Can't artists find inspiration everywhere?

As a parent, I'd be more interested in how well the schools are performing in the districts you are considering. I believe IL has some of the biggest disparities between excellent performing and poor performing school districts. I would make that my #1 priority. You can always commute to galleries, shows, etc. Just my 2 cents....

I agree. You can travel for the art thing; I know a marvelous artist and his wife who got fed up with the city and moved to a very small town in Vermont; he travels to NYC or Boston when necessary. The schools there are apparently okay (for them), and he is more productive with his art and feels to some extent that the distraction and aggravation of the city (which is directly tied to the $$ you have and the neighborhood you live in) were no longer factors upending his concentration and quiet working time.

ALSO they felt that the only viable school alternatives in Chicago were private (I agree), and the $$ there were a factor also.

$300 thou is not a huge number, unfortunately, in this area. Maybe renting would be a reasonable alternative to see how the environment suits you. Quite different than SF. Not bad; I'm a long time Chgoan and was raised here...but different from SF.

[futurecitizen]

Thanks for your replies. It does become all about the kids at some point, and we're mostly picking places with excellent schools.

I'm curious why we keep hearing you can't get much for $300,000, when it seems like there are loads of listings for around 300 - 330 in places like Arlington Heights. I get that many of the nicer homes go for $400k, but out here in the Bay Area, where we can't get a whiff of anything less than $600k except total fixers, Chicago seems a fantastic deal. Curious to hear thoughts on the price diff b/w Bay Area and Chicago.

[emmi605]

Yep, compared to California you have bargains here. I think comments are coming from people who are thinking you expect a large, new home. Yes, you can get a simple 50's-60's ranch or a cape cod for the $300.000's. If you are handy and don't mind taking your time to fix a place up, you will also be happy to find outdated homes that need a new look. You are wise to look at school districts and there are many, quality districts within the metro area. If you look through the other threads you will find many repeated discussions on that topic.

[futurecitizen]

Originally Posted by emmi605

Yep, compared to California you have bargains here. I think comments are coming from people who are thinking you expect a large, new home. Yes, you can get a simple 50's-60's ranch or a cape cod for the $300.000's.

It's nice to hear that and to validate the research I've been doing. It's funny, because mid-century modern homes out in Cali are hot properties, whereas in the midwest, the value is in the new construction. I've looked at a many many quad-levels, split levels for $299-320 in great school districts, with mature trees and beautiful yards. By Cali standards, it's a dream.

[Sailaway50]

Originally Posted by futurecitizen

It's nice to hear that and to validate the research I've been doing. It's funny, because mid-century modern homes out in Cali are hot properties, whereas in the midwest, the value is in the new construction. I've looked at a many many quad-levels, split levels for $299-320 in great school districts, with mature trees and beautiful yards. By Cali standards, it's a dream.

Which burbs are these in?

[futurecitizen]

Originally Posted by SBurgess

Which burbs are these in?

Arlington Heights, Evanston, some higher $300s in oak park. Lots of available properties, too, that have been on the market for many months.