Two camps: Chicago North suburbs or North. Where do you land? (Arlington Heights: estate, condo)

[Sarah_Lynn]

Hello, I'm debating between moving to a townhome/condo the North suburbs like (Lake Bluff, Wadsworth, Libertyville) versus the Northwestern suburbs (McHenry, Woodstock, Crystal Lake.) Where does Antioch fit in? I've read through the forums and it seems that they are similar in commute time to Chicago (just different directions), quality of schools (lots of solid options) and even nature reserves although NW seems to win a bit on this. I'm single, 31, looking for an active lifestyle, love horses, nature, biking. I also like living space and a good investment. I'm not concerned about leaving the city, just want to be sure I understand what I am getting into. The NW does seem to give a bit more space for $. Antioch has good space. Libertyville not so much. McHenry yes. Lake Bluff a bit more limited and the only avails seem to be next to Abbott Labs. What camp do you fall into? Why?

[nanannie]

First of all, at your age, have you considered the city itself ? You mention that you are active etc. There is much recreation on the 'space' dept in Mich. and Wisc which are quick,easy week end get aways and there is SO much to do in the city.. If you are set on burbs with space (I live in Barrington Hills and picked it for the space- 5 acre min-space was very important to me) then you will get more in McHenry etc area. It is mostly family living though. Lake Bluff is lovely, but again, not a single scene and not much space. I like the North burbs for the easy commute to downtown,Evanston and all that activity. Space ? how much do you need ? The other burbs are not geared to singles but I would say visit and see what feels like home.Crystal Lake, McHenry, Libville are active in growth (investment), but again singles life ?? They all offer pretty much the same thing. Antioch is further out, but with the lake, would be active in nice weather. You dont mention price,,,,BIG factor here.

[rgb123]

I am 31 (okay two weeks) and also choose not to live in the city. I am from the Fox Lake area and know the entire area very well. Follow your heart, first of all!!! I am not a city person either, the single scene is what you make of it, and there are plenty of guys willing to travel between chicago and milwaukee, and plenty in the area too. Dont buy all that jazz about having to live in the city.

Antioch is north...but an easy drive to the northwest suburbs too. I like the whole sort of corridor from Antioch/Grayslake/Fox Lake/Richmod/Mchenry/Crystal Lake -- I'd really like Harvard and Woodstock too I think but that is just too far out there for me to allow myself to move at this point!! lol. I also love Barrington and work there so I dont feel the need to live there (not enough public parks anyway like you have further north) If you are in Antioch the Chain o Lakes is nearby (my favorite state park) and its an easy drive to others you will also like -- Glacier Park between mchenry and Richmond (Another fave). If you like boating....Antioch Fox LAke for sure.....I dont really care myself, its fun in the summer (LOTS of singles then actually). I go out with friends on their boats but dont care to get too into the lifestyle msyelf. I prefer the quiet lakes with not too much motorized activity.

Anyway, once you are up here you will see its all kinda connected, there is not such horrible traffic, its easy to get places and to get to what you need. And its easy to take the train into the city....people act like moving to the suburbs ruins your social life. Please, the city is right there!! if you want to go there you can! you dont have to live there!

I like some cities...I just dont really care to live in chicago, esepcially if I am more comfortable up north, and milwaukee is a really nice city too and you are closer to that.

Anyway....Crystal Lake and that area is really nice...so is Antioch. I think Antioch will be cheaper. Crystal Lake is a bit more...well...."uppity" that can be good or bad depending what you are looking for.

Either place you should be just fine.

ps. I live in Richmond...and am always feeling pressured to leave when I read these stupid boards, but I'm really happy here. I've lived in the city before and I really was not happy. I love it out here, though I can't afford a house yet,and will probably move out west soon then back here later in life. I spend a lot of time in Mchenry doing shopping or having coffee or whatever. Most of my friends who also grew up around here also still live around here too.....the only reason it would be hard to meet people is that pretty much all the cliques from high school still exist! I'm one of the few that actually moved away but I just keep coming back!

[rgb123]

ps. I love biking too....best places I think are Chain o Lakes (antioch/Fox lake) the Prairie path (runs close to rt. 31 in Richmond, Mchenry and all the way to Algonquin, I rode it almost every day in the summer) and Moraine Hills in Island Lake/McHenry.

[rgb123]

ppps! Another reason I like it up here....its not so cookie cutter. I feel like I am in my personal hell when I am in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg -- not for me (I had to endure 6 months in a building/condo with a girl in Hoffman...it was a personal trial). There is so much more to do up here than in the more built up suburbs if you are into open space and outdoor recreation (and its a nice easy drive to Lake Geneva and other Wisconsin destinations...I spend a lot of time in Lake Geneva, its like 10/15 minutes from Richmond).

Anyway, I think the area you are looking at (minus lake bluff perhaps) offers so much more in terms of local character, value for your money and EVEN single life.....its more affordable here, more young people and well....maybe I just think there is more young people here that value the things I do. I know there was more of them in Hoffman/Schamburg but I hated it there and didn't care!

Put it this way...I'd rather live IN Chicago than in a suburb like Schaumburg (just not for me though plenty of nightlife and other young people). You sound a lot like me (in terms of what you are looking for and we are the same age and sex, and single) so I would move to one of the places you named....or go back to the city. Don't do it halfway is I guess what I am suggesting....

phew looks like I had some free time tonight! haha. good luck!!!! (that was my choice and not a result of my living situation

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by rgb123

ps. I live in Richmond...and am always feeling pressured to leave when I read these stupid boards,

Then why bother with your long posts if these boards are so "stupid". I dont find them "stupid" at all, but filled with nice people who take the time to answer questions from strangers about areas they know about and help them find a new home etc." Stupid is as stupid does " I guess.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by rgb123

ppps! Another reason I like it up here....its not so cookie cutter. I feel like I am in my personal hell when I am in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg -- not for me (I had to endure 6 months in a building/condo with a girl in Hoffman...it was a personal trial). There is so much more to do up here than in the more built up suburbs if you are into open space and outdoor recreation (and its a nice easy drive to Lake Geneva and other Wisconsin destinations...I spend a lot of time in Lake Geneva, its like 10/15 minutes from Richmond).

Anyway, I think the area you are looking at (minus lake bluff perhaps) offers so much more in terms of local character, value for your money and EVEN single life.....its more affordable here, more young people and well....maybe I just think there is more young people here that value the things I do. I know there was more of them in Hoffman/Schamburg but I hated it there and didn't care!

Put it this way...I'd rather live IN Chicago than in a suburb like Schaumburg (just not for me though plenty of nightlife and other young people). You sound a lot like me (in terms of what you are looking for and we are the same age and sex, and single) so I would move to one of the places you named....or go back to the city. Don't do it halfway is I guess what I am suggesting....

phew looks like I had some free time tonight! haha. good luck!!!! (that was my choice and not a result of my living situation

Excellent posts RGB! I love Glacial Park, Chain O' Lakes, and other places around there. I do spend time in those places.

However, I will say not all the Cook County NW suburbs are like Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. Palatine, Arlington Heights, and Mt. Prospect all have a more established "town" feel with a local businesses and older homes.

While there is not nearly the wide open spaces around where you are, there are some pretty big forest preserves: Busse Woods, and some areas around Barrington Hills. Still though, I do like your area the best though.

[rgb123]

sorry to offend. But I think you just called me stupid, thanks. It was a lightheared way of saying, I get a little tired of the anti-suburb/rural bent on these boards, especially from people who don't live there or from people who are not young and single saying you need to live in X space if you are young and single (okay it bothers me when everyone says it, actually especially if they are young and single ). But I dont think you or anyone else is stupid. But I can take a little offense to the constant badgering of my home and where I choose to call home if I see it and experience it much differently. Did I just get in trouble like in third grade when I said "shut-up" cause it seems pretty petty to point this out.

Originally Posted by nanannie

Then why bother with your long posts if these boards are so "stupid". I dont find them "stupid" at all, but filled with nice people who take the time to answer questions from strangers about areas they know about and help them find a new home etc." Stupid is as stupid does " I guess.

[rgb123]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Excellent posts RGB! I love Glacial Park, Chain O' Lakes, and other places around there. I do spend time in those places.

However, I will say not all the Cook County NW suburbs are like Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. Palatine, Arlington Heights, and Mt. Prospect all have a more established "town" feel with a local businesses and older homes.

While there is not nearly the wide open spaces around where you are, there are some pretty big forest preserves: Busse Woods, and some areas around Barrington Hills. Still though, I do like your area the best though.

Thanks Tex....and yeah I like Arlington Heights and Palatine....my boss keeps trying to get me to move to one of those places and I've been thinking about it -- if only to be a little closer to work and supposedly its 'better for singles' but every time I consider it I just....run away! They are perfectly nice places but I think they still lack the space I have become accustomed to. It probably has a lot to do with the fact I grew up on a lake (I really like the water) and near all the space......its hard to make the trade off if that is what you are used to, I think.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by rgb123

sorry to offend. But I think you just called me stupid, thanks. It was a lightheared way of saying, I get a little tired of the anti-suburb/rural bent on these boards, especially from people who don't live there or from people who are not young and single saying you need to live in X space if you are young and single (okay it bothers me when everyone says it, actually especially if they are young and single ). But I dont think you or anyone else is stupid. But I can take a little offense to the constant badgering of my home and where I choose to call home if I see it and experience it much differently. Did I just get in trouble like in third grade when I said "shut-up" cause it seems pretty petty to point this out.

no- I was quoting "Forrest Gump" .Dont often hear the word "stupid" with adults. And I sure am not anti suburb-anti rural, I picked a very "rural" area to live(by illinois standards that is-no neighbors). So many people come on here that love the single chicago life- thats all I meant. Aint for me either. I sure didnt say anyone single "had" to live anywhere. Dont understand why my first post would bother you. Who 'badgered" your home?? I happen to love Richmond -its charming,and I hang at Lk Geneva often. Fact,going next weekend to take my son skiing. Peace