Wauconda vs Crystal Lake vs Cary vs West Dundee (Chicago: sale, assessors)

[vipi]

We have decided to buy a house in one of the above four cities. Can help me come down to one city considering

property tax
school district
proximity to metra
Resale

Thanks,

Viral

[tcs1366]

here is a link to Metra Rail. It goes thru Cary and Crystal Lake.
Metra / Union Pacific District Northwest Line

for West Dundee, i think you'd have to pick up the Milwaukee Road line [West] up at Big Timber ... i think that is the nearest. Which is in Elgin Metra / Big Timber Rd. Avenue Station Information

BUT - for west dundee, I do not think their schools are the best ... my best friend lives out there and put her kids in private school in Arlington Hts. and the property taxes have really gone up [her's have doubled in 4 yrs] due to school referendums.

and Wauconda is a nice town... but i haven't been able to find a train station thru the Metra site.

As for Property Taxes.... all of the Chicago Land area is high. Figure on average 2% of the SALE price of your home. some are just under, some are just over that 2%
- re:taxes, once you have lived there a while, the tax is based on the approx assessed value of your home. You can find out those details from the Assessors office in which ever township you are looking to buy in.

but if you pay approx 400,000 on a home, expect an $8,000 tax bill. [give or take]

Resale .... i do not think you'd have a problem in either Cary or Crystal Lake. W.Dundee is a very pretty area -- but I know the home prices out there are a bit lower.... is that due to the schools?? I have no idea....

I like Wauconda -- but the past 15+ yrs, the entire area is just booming and traffic is horrendous.

well, hope this helps a bit. and maybe others more familiar with the areas will be able to assist more.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by vipi

We have decided to buy a house in one of the above four cities. Can help me come down to one city considering

property tax
school district
proximity to metra
Resale

Thanks,

Viral

There is a metra stop in both Crystal Lake and Cary. I think for West Dundee, you'd use the Elgin or Barrington Metra. Not sure about Wauconda (maybe the Barrington stop is the closest?). I'd rank the schools in this order:

1. Cary
2. Crystal Lake
3. Wauconda
4. West Dundee

Good Luck!