South burbs (Chicago, Oak Lawn, Orland Park: low income, crime rate, new home)

[brown fam]

What's the deal?
My wife is from Chicago, and we currently live in Tampa,Fl. We are seriously looking to move to Chicagoland. The city is too expensive, so we took our search to the burbs. We only wanted to be 30 miles or less from the city. The nothern burbs are out of our price range. We have looked into the southern burbs and I am totally disapointed in some of the posts I see about the burbs in southern Chicagoland. Are they that bad? Is it all about black n' white?
Matteson has caught our eye. There are some new homes in our price range. We are looking at homes in the range of $260-$275. Schools & safety are very important too. Can anyone enlightened me on why we shouldn't move there?
THANKS

[nanannie]

Such an important decision,please come and visit. Only you know what is "HOME" to you. Nice suburbs/nice schools and towns all over but only YOU know what you can afford and what is going to fill your needs.

[sbd78]

Originally Posted by brown fam

What's the deal?
My wife is from Chicago, and we currently live in Tampa,Fl. We are seriously looking to move to Chicagoland. The city is too expensive, so we took our search to the burbs. We only wanted to be 30 miles or less from the city. The nothern burbs are out of our price range. We have looked into the southern burbs and I am totally disapointed in some of the posts I see about the burbs in southern Chicagoland. Are they that bad? Is it all about black n' white?
Matteson has caught our eye. There are some new homes in our price range. We are looking at homes in the range of $260-$275. Schools & safety are very important too. Can anyone enlightened me on why we shouldn't move there?
THANKS

If schools are important, I would stay away from Matteson. The schools there do not rate well. I believe it falls in the Rich Township High School district 227 and the schools rate a 2 out of 10 on GreatSchools.net (Which is a good website to look up school stats, by the way.) If you are looking for an area in the Southern burbs that has diversity, is safe, and has good schools, check out Homewood Flossmoor. That high school rates a 10 out of 10. Other South burbs with good schools are Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort, Mokena, Lockport, New Lenox. (Although these areas are not particularly diverse-not sure if that is important to you.)

[nanannie]

[quote=sbd78;2893417Homewood Flossmoor. That high school rates a 10 out of 10. Other South burbs with good schools are Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort, Mokena, Lockport, New Lenox. (Although these areas are not particularly diverse-not sure if that is important to you.)[/QUOTE]


"Rates a 10 out of 10" in WHAT? From what source? For every suburb that people like we have this statement, so we have about 10-20 burbs that are "10 out of10".

[sbd78]

Originally Posted by nanannie

"Rates a 10 out of 10" in WHAT? From what source? For every suburb that people like we have this statement, so we have about 10-20 burbs that are "10 out of10".

Not sure all of what goes in to the 10 out of 10 rating, but the school's test scores are posted on the greatschools website, as well as student to teacher ratios, percentage of low income students, etc. (I would assume these things are factored into the rating.) While I don't know exactly how they formulate the 10 out of 10 rating, I think its safe to say that a school that scores a 10 is probably a lot better than a school that rates a 2. Believe me, I don't have any hidden agenda about Homewood Flossmoor, I don't even live there.

[nanannie]

It has been a general statement about schools. I just think its helpful to newcomers to state WHERE those stats are FROM.

[cdc3217]

Here is a link to another school stats site. Personally I do not like greatschools.net. I find the parent comments too subjective and full of rants/raves. (But whatever - I just had to get that off my chest) This website will let you search by district, city, or school name. It only gives test scores and some demographic info, so its limited as well.

Interactive Illinois Report Card

Keeping this post colorblind - I think the south burb's that cost less attract a proportionately lower-range buyers, who tend to be proportionately lower-income and less-educated. (But there is still a range!) There are affordable south suburbs in which you might feel right at home. There are others that might feel too urban or too remote. What kind of house are you hoping to find - new or old? Are you looking for lots of families like you? Do you want to take the train into the city? How dense of a neighborhood do you want to live in?

Everyone wants safe neighborhoods and good schools. Some relative bargains for your housing dollars might be Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, and Homewood. Homes in your price range are likely to be older homes, which is most of the housing stock in the south burb's, with the exception of the Tinley Park - Orland - Mokena area, which is one of the reasons the area is more attractive and costly.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by nanannie

It has been a general statement about schools. I just think its helpful to newcomers to state WHERE those stats are FROM.

sbd did say where it was from. Even gave a link!

[OPSMAN]

I have lived in the south burbs all my life, so the information I'm giving you is strictly my experienced opinion. I also agree with sbd78 regarding Homewood and Floosmoor as nice communities with good schools. They're not the best in the region, but they're a whole lot better than the schools in Matteson. Tinley Park, Orland Park, Mokena, Frankfort are all good communities with good schools as well, but that's more southwest suburbs instead of just south burbs.

I would stay away from South Holland, Calumet City, Lansing, Harvey, Chicago Heights, Lynwood and Glenwood for several reasons (schools, crime, economic stability, etc.).

Have you thought about NW Indiana (Munster, Dyer)? You'll get more for your money and the schools are better. Just a thought.

OPSMAN

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by OPSMAN

I have lived in the south burbs all my life, so the information I'm giving you is strictly my experienced opinion. I also agree with sbd78 regarding Homewood and Floosmoor as nice communities with good schools. They're not the best in the region, but they're a whole lot better than the schools in Matteson. Tinley Park, Orland Park, Mokena, Frankfort are all good communities with good schools as well, but that's more southwest suburbs instead of just south burbs.

I would stay away from South Holland, Calumet City, Lansing, Harvey, Chicago Heights, Lynwood and Glenwood for several reasons (schools, crime, economic stability, etc.).

Have you thought about NW Indiana (Munster, Dyer)? You'll get more for your money and the schools are better. Just a thought.

OPSMAN

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?