Relocating to Rolling Meadows, IL (Chicago, Arlington Heights: low income, apartment complexes, rentals)

[VasylP]

Hi! Have been thinking about moving to Northwest suburbs from Chicago and stopped on Rolling Meadows.
Would like to hear any thoughts on how good or bad this town is.
Thank you all in advance!

[Missy2U]

Well, I live right nearby in Palatine - and frankly, really like Rolling Meadows. Their downtown area off of Kirchoff (so to speak) is having trouble, but being where it is (by Arlington Heights, Palatine, etc.) you have plenty of options for grocery shopping, etc. Algonquin Road has plenty of options for dining, shopping, etc.

It's convenient for the train - there's a huge world-class hospital - the track (Arlington International Racetrack) is right there - I have never actually lived there, but find myself there often.

Are you considering renting or buying?

Oh - welcome, new neighbor!

[VasylP]

Thank you for advice, missy2u.
Buying

[wjj]

You need to be careful exactly where in Rolling Meadows you end up. The hospital and race track mentioned above are in Arlington Heights - as is the train station, not in Rolling Meadows. Rolling Meadows has some sketchy areas and apartment complexes to avoid, but it also has some nice areas too. If schools matter, watch very carefully where you are because school quality can vary quite a bit from so-so (Rolling Meadows High School) to excellent (Fremd High School).

[VasylP]

We were looking at single family homes around Algonquin and Weber. Is it nice area?

[Missy2U]

Originally Posted by wjj

You need to be careful exactly where in Rolling Meadows you end up. The hospital and race track mentioned above are in Arlington Heights - as is the train station, not in Rolling Meadows. Rolling Meadows has some sketchy areas and apartment complexes to avoid, but it also has some nice areas too. If schools matter, watch very carefully where you are because school quality can vary quite a bit from so-so (Rolling Meadows High School) to excellent (Fremd High School).

wjj is correct - the hospital and track, are, technically, in Arlington Heights - but for all intents and purposes, I consider that part of A/H and R/M almost interchangeable. The track is 100 yards from the courthouse across the street and the courthouse address is Rolling Meadows - so I figure six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Personally, I'd be careful of buying in certain areas of Rolling Meadows as well - I'd tend towards the western part closer to Palatine than Arlington Heights - but since I've never purchased nor have any real experience in that, don't take my word for it - I'm sure someone else will have MUCH more to offer when buying a property in the area - rentals, I'd have had ya covered.

[VasylP]

I've heard, that part of RM west to Route 53 is better compare to east one. in my opinion everything is subjective and relative. But I could be wrong as well So, what factors impact "good" and "bad" description of different parts of the same town? And on the example of Rolling Meadows, if west part is better, how much worse east part is?..

[Missy2U]

It's subjective, but east of 53 has a lot of gang problems along with the resultant crime. The majority of low income rental properties are there. West of 53 tends to be more homes. Again, this is only my opinion - I could be biased because we have a police scanner and hear the calls. We also read all the local papers.

[wjj]

Originally Posted by Missy2U

It's subjective, but east of 53 has a lot of gang problems along with the resultant crime. The majority of low income rental properties are there. West of 53 tends to be more homes. Again, this is only my opinion - I could be biased because we have a police scanner and hear the calls. We also read all the local papers.

Agree. Plus some of the western portion of RM feeds into Fremd HS, which is a very large step up from RMHS.

[VasylP]

Thank you all for repliesMu budget is 250,000. So, which part of Rolling Meadows can I get a single family home with 3 bdr/ 1.5-2 baths?