Chicago Suburb with middle school child.

[4122]

Originally Posted by damba

You would get even *less* in Evanston for the same $.
And the schools will not be quite as good.

It's not as Pricey as the NT Area, though definitely still more than The other suburbs mentioned. However, it will provide a much quicker commute and schools are still great.

[damba]

Originally Posted by 4122

It's not as Pricey as the NT Area, though definitely still more than The other suburbs mentioned. However, it will provide a much quicker commute and schools are still great.

I kindly disagree, and my friends who not only teach, but have kids currently enrolled in D65/D202 concur. The City of Evanston and Evanston public schools have significant socioeconomic issues to sort out. It's a struggle. Night and day difference vs anywhere in Wilmette/NT.

[ToriaT]

Look in Wheaton. Wonderful homes, schools, parks and soccer team. Great Library too.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by TryinToSeeTheWorld

Thanks for all advice. My family is considering a move to Chicago from a small southern city but are overwhelmed by the options in suburbs. Our priorities are:

1) Good school for middle school boy. . .well above average academically
2) Good high school with sports and extracurricular activites. Students place well in university
3) Walkable community with kids who play outside in public spaces
4) Safe
5) US Soccer program in medium to high level league
6) On a mass transit line to downtown (Clark & Lake)

Thanks for any specific information.

Not sure if it's within your commute limits, but check out Barrington area.

1) Blue ribbon award winning middle schools, with strong gifted and honors programs.

2) Well-ranked high school with lots of sports/ extracurriculars. Nearly 100% college rate with placement in very highly selective universities.

3) If living in the village area, you can walk to schools, parks, shops/cafes, library, sports fields, pools, train...

Throughout the area, there is lots of green space, ponds, marshes, forest preserves, walking/biking/horseback trails.. kids playing outside... kids fishing... kids walking/biking to school - This is the main reason we picked this community.

4) Low crime rate

5) Boys' high school soccer team highly ranked - was in this years' state championship (narrowly losing to Naperville). There are also very strong travel soccer clubs in the area (FC Barrington, and Palatine clubs), as well as great outdoor soccer fields (Beese Park) and indoor turf fields for practices. (Lake Barrington field house).

6) On the Metra UP-NW train line, which is easily walkable if you live in the village.

[cohdane]

Can agree with everyone who suggested Wilmette (although I have no idea about the soccer question). We moved here in 2011. One of the few towns on the North Shore where it is 100% normal to see kids out playing, riding bikes around town, functioning independently, etc. It's an incredibly kid-friendly town. The local police even give out "tickets" for free icecream to kids wearing their bike helmets. Local bank gives out coupons for icecream to kids who have their own account and make deposits-- passbook savings, just to teach them the skills.

Evanston could be tricky. Demographically and politically, Evanston was a 100% match for us, but the recurring violence near the high school and in other areas, including the CTA platforms, combined with a kid who has limited situational awareness, made it a no-go.

If you and your family have decent situational awareness and some street smarts, Evanston should be at least a consideration.

[damba]

Originally Posted by cohdane

Can agree with everyone who suggested Wilmette (although I have no idea about the soccer question). We moved here in 2011. One of the few towns on the North Shore where it is 100% normal to see kids out playing, riding bikes around town, functioning independently, etc. It's an incredibly kid-friendly town. The local police even give out "tickets" for free icecream to kids wearing their bike helmets. Local bank gives out coupons for icecream to kids who have their own account and make deposits-- passbook savings, just to teach them the skills.

Evanston could be tricky. Demographically and politically, Evanston was a 100% match for us, but the recurring violence near the high school and in other areas, including the CTA platforms, combined with a kid who has limited situational awareness, made it a no-go.

If you and your family have decent situational awareness and some street smarts, Evanston should be at least a consideration.

There are so many kid-friendly suburbs it's almost silly

The unfortunate problem with relying on 'situational awareness' is that stray bullets don't usually adhere to that strategy, or people looking to cause you bodily harm.

[awdg]

Are you looking for good gifted program for your kids? If so, this makes the list a lot smaller and easier to decide. I would not worry abt soccer if you are willing to drive them across towns to join a good travelling team... and in a few years, they will be in high school team anyway