Where could I live that's a short commute to Aurora? (Naperville: condo, townhouse)

[tenortodd]

Hi all,

I have my second interview for an Aurora job this week.

We want to take it, but the property taxes are SO high in all the surrounding counties!!

Is there anywhere we can live that's a short commute to Aurora with lower property taxes?

I'd make around $61k for a family of 4. This would have gotten us into a nice $250k house with our modest down payment.

However, since property taxes are double to triple what we pay in VA, we don't think we can do it...

[ToriaT]

First of all homes are more expensive here. The price you quoted above will not get you a nice house, it will get you a condo, townhome or very small home. Its hard to find a house at that price point especially in a desirable area with good schools. it can be done. The taxes in Illinois are very high and there is little way around them.

[aga412]

In that price range, maybe Sugar Grove, Yorkville, Oswego, or North Aurora? Warrenville as a reach.

[Joel67]

Originally Posted by aga412

In that price range, maybe Sugar Grove, Yorkville, Oswego, or North Aurora? Warrenville as a reach.

I recently moved from Oswego, and the taxes there are crushing. My home sold for $326k and the tax bill was over 11k. My new home in Naperville (D203) was significantly more expensive and has essentially the same tax bill. Yorkville isn't much better, if any (someone in my office has a sub 200k townhouse and got the new tax bill of $7200).

[aga412]

Originally Posted by Joel67

I recently moved from Oswego, and the taxes there are crushing. My home sold for $326k and the tax bill was over 11k. My new home in Naperville (D203) was significantly more expensive and has essentially the same tax bill. Yorkville isn't much better, if any (someone in my office has a sub 200k townhouse and got the new tax bill of $7200).

Kind of like ToriaT said though, home prices/taxes that are a short commute from Aurora will be kind of ridiculous (Kane County has notoriously bad taxes, and DuPage fares a little better). I didn't even mention the Tri-Cities because the combo of home price + tax bill would make something there near impossible to find.

Lisle has some townhome stock that could potentially work? Obviously Aurora itself could work, but taxes there aren't even that great and the schools/relative safety don't even make them remotely worth it.

[Joel67]

To the OP, do you know if your salary will be similar to your current salary or is there a chance that it'd be higher to reflect the cost of living? You might ask the potential employer which communities their employees choose to live.

[Kmanshouse]

Lisle isn't a bad suggestion. Shooting distance to Aurora. Whereabouts in Aurora is the job? Aurora is HUGE and the exact spot of the job could make a difference. I've driven for 30 minutes in the same general direction and been in Aurora the whole time.

Taxes in those more rural communities are AWFUL. Tax wise, you are better off moving east. But then the home prices rise also.

I'd probably try to stay right in Aurora, but in DuPage county. Just get a smaller place.

[r0lf3cbn]

Originally Posted by tenortodd

However, since property taxes are double to triple what we pay in VA, we don't think we can do it...

On the other hand, Virginia's car tax is infinity times more than Illinois' and the roads in Illinois get plowed when it snows.

[chicagoliz]

Maybe Plainfield?

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by McdonaldIndy

Northwest Indiana close to the Borman/Stateline.
St John, Munster and South Hammond would be good choices and your property taxes are capped at 1% of your homes value. A good $10,000 cheaper than Illinois

But then you're in Indiana. And it's not a great commute to Aurora.