South burbs (Chicago, Joliet, Orland Park: estate, foreclosure, work)

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by brown fam

Are they that bad? Is it all about black n' white?

No, most of them are not that bad. Yes, I believe it is mostly about black and white.

[OPSMAN]

Originally Posted by skye1974

Both South Holland and Lansing have higher populations than Homewood, yet Homewood's crime rate is higher (above the national average, in fact). Why is it seen as a better community when, statistically, the other two towns are safer?

Can you support that claim with ACTUAL numbers? It's always nice to have a source to back up those types of comments.

OPSMAN

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by OPSMAN

Can you support that claim with ACTUAL numbers? It's always nice to have a source to back up those types of comments.

OPSMAN

Sure. Stats about all US cities - real estate, relocation info, maps, race, income, photos, education, crime, weather, houses, etc.

[cdc3217]

Originally Posted by skye1974

Both South Holland and Lansing have higher populations than Homewood, yet Homewood's crime rate is higher (above the national average, in fact). Why is it seen as a better community when, statistically, the other two towns are safer?

Good question. I've got a couple ideas on this:

1) Schools. I looked up jr. high school test scores for all three cities, and the results were - vs a 74 state average for "% all subjects meet/exceed standard" Homewood - 86, Lansing - 72, South Holland - 67.

2) Transit. Homewood has a Metra line running through it. It's also (I believe...) a little closer to the city than the other two.

3) Looks/Housing stock. I haven't been to Lansing or South Holland much, but what little knowledge I have leads me to think there is a greater assortment of home types and more attractive neighborhoods (and downtown) in Homewood.

4) A note on the safety stats - Homewood got a score of 323.6, while the average is 323.2. That's a hardly measurable variance from average. What I did notice was their crime score jumped way up in 2006 - I wonder if that's a trend or a blip? Also, these scores are calculated to a per capita score - so the size of the town doesn't factor in. 200 is alsways better than 300, regardless if its Chicago vs Mayberry or Lansing vs Homewood.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

Good question. I've got a couple ideas on this:

1) Schools. I looked up jr. high school test scores for all three cities, and the results were - vs a 74 state average for "% all subjects meet/exceed standard" Homewood - 86, Lansing - 72, South Holland - 67.

2) Transit. Homewood has a Metra line running through it. It's also (I believe...) a little closer to the city than the other two.

3) Looks/Housing stock. I haven't been to Lansing or South Holland much, but what little knowledge I have leads me to think there is a greater assortment of home types and more attractive neighborhoods (and downtown) in Homewood.

4) A note on the safety stats - Homewood got a score of 323.6, while the average is 323.2. That's a hardly measurable variance from average. What I did notice was their crime score jumped way up in 2006 - I wonder if that's a trend or a blip? Also, these scores are calculated to a per capita score - so the size of the town doesn't factor in. 200 is alsways better than 300, regardless if its Chicago vs Mayberry or Lansing vs Homewood.

I can't argue with 1 and 2 (except to say that all three towns are about equal distance from the city, with South Holland being the closest, and are all very close to major highways). Homewood's downtown is definitely more attractive than the other two. Housing stock? That's a matter of opinion. I haven't seen anything really special about the homes in Homewood. The only point that I do take issue with (not with you personally) is the safety. If Lansing and South Holland are safer communities, why should they be avoided?

[OPSMAN]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

Good question. I've got a couple ideas on this:

1) Schools. I looked up jr. high school test scores for all three cities, and the results were - vs a 74 state average for "% all subjects meet/exceed standard" Homewood - 86, Lansing - 72, South Holland - 67.

2) Transit. Homewood has a Metra line running through it. It's also (I believe...) a little closer to the city than the other two.

3) Looks/Housing stock. I haven't been to Lansing or South Holland much, but what little knowledge I have leads me to think there is a greater assortment of home types and more attractive neighborhoods (and downtown) in Homewood.

4) A note on the safety stats - Homewood got a score of 323.6, while the average is 323.2. That's a hardly measurable variance from average. What I did notice was their crime score jumped way up in 2006 - I wonder if that's a trend or a blip? Also, these scores are calculated to a per capita score - so the size of the town doesn't factor in. 200 is alsways better than 300, regardless if its Chicago vs Mayberry or Lansing vs Homewood.

Good information....well said.

OPSMAN

[OPSMAN]

Originally Posted by skye1974

Sure. Stats about all US cities - real estate, relocation info, maps, race, income, photos, education, crime, weather, houses, etc.

I thought you were going to supply believable information. This site pulls their information from other "reputable" sources and puts it on display. It's no different than Wikipedia.

And I think you need to read my original thread one more time. I stated that those thoughts were MY OPINION. Why do you find the need to rebut everyone's opinion everytime it doesn't agree with your opinion? I don't know anything about your knowledge base, and I don't really care to either. But I will say that I lived in the south burbs (Lansing/Homewood) for 20 years, so I feel my knowledge base is pretty strong in those areas. I am not a person consumed by black/white issues, and I embrace diversity. Your opinion differs from mine...can you leave it at that????

OPSMAN

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by OPSMAN

I thought you were going to supply believable information. This site pulls their information from other "reputable" sources and puts it on display. It's no different than Wikipedia.

And I think you need to read my original thread one more time. I stated that those thoughts were MY OPINION. Why do you find the need to rebut everyone's opinion everytime it doesn't agree with your opinion? I don't know anything about your knowledge base, and I don't really care to either. But I will say that I lived in the south burbs (Lansing/Homewood) for 20 years, so I feel my knowledge base is pretty strong in those areas. I am not a person consumed by black/white issues, and I embrace diversity. Your opinion differs from mine...can you leave it at that????

OPSMAN

If you don't want your opinion challenged, rebutted, analyzed, mocked, etc., you might not want to put it on a public forum. The purpose of this forum is to provide people with different opinions. It is my opinion that a lot of the south suburbs are good places to live. So, naturally, I will disseminate that opinion on threads about the south suburbs. If my opinion conflicts with yours, then, oh well. It's nothing personal.

[OPSMAN]

Originally Posted by skye1974

If you don't want your opinion challenged, rebutted, analyzed, mocked, whatever, you might not want to put it on a public forum. The purpose of this forum is to provide people with different opinions. It is my opinion that a lot of the south suburbs are good places to live. So, naturally, I will disseminate that opinion on threads about the south suburbs. If my opinion conflicts with yours, then, oh well. It's nothing personal.

By all means, share your opinions...we'll be glad to read them. Just don't attack people because they have their own.

OPSMAN

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by OPSMAN

By all means, share your opinions...we'll be glad to read them. Just don't attack people because they have their own.

OPSMAN

Attack? Ooookay.