could you help us find the "perfect" 'burb? (Chicago: houses, good schools)

[cricket00]

we are an interracial family of 4. we have twin daughters who are 2. my husband works downtown and i work in the suburbs. but i'll be staying home with my girls shortly, so my commute time is unimportant.

here's what we're looking for:
~45-50 minutes from downtown
~metra stop
~walkable, quaint downtown area
~excellent schools
~by the lake
~diverse community

here's the problem:
~our budget is upper-400's-550K, and too many homes that we've looked at (primarily in wilmette and evanston) are too small/one bathroom/no basement/one car garage or even just a port/no central air/needs updating, etc. etc.

we know oak park would perfectly suit our needs, but my husband has decided that he's just not a fan of being that far from the lake. to each his own, i guess.

top contenders so far:
~NE or NW evanston
~SW wilmette
~skokie
~highland park

winnetka, glencoe, and the northern part of wilmette are not only out of our price range, but also too homogenous for us.

can anyone offer any advice/alternative suggestions?
thanks!

[Steve-o]

Id look at Glen Ellyn or Wheaton, they sound absolutely perfect for what youre looking for. Also, no way can you be 45-50 minutes from downtown and be "by the lake", just so you know.

[NYrules]

If you want diverse and still fairly close to the lake/Loop, with the quaint downtown then look into Homewood/Floosmoor. In your price range you can get a very nice house. I mean VERY nice.

[cricket00]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Id look at Glen Ellyn or Wheaton, they sound absolutely perfect for what youre looking for. Also, no way can you be 45-50 minutes from downtown and be "by the lake", just so you know.

i appreciate the feedback. thank you!

two issues: i wouldn't call glen ellyn or wheaton "diverse," nor are they close to the lake, as i specified. and i'm not sure why you can't be 45-55 minutes from downtown and not by next to the lake.....that's the commute time to highland park/lake forest, is it not?

[brschoppe]

I would say if Lake Michigan wasn't an issue, Arlington Heights would be the burb for you. It is near your budget. The Schools are really good. It is one of the most diverse cities I have seen. The downtown is pretty cool and improving. The metra runs right through it. It is about 45 mins to all parts of Chicago by train or road.

There are some houses in Arlington Heights that are on a small lake out there.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by cricket00

i appreciate the feedback. thank you!

two issues: i wouldn't call glen ellyn or wheaton "diverse," nor are they close to the lake, as i specified. and i'm not sure why you can't be 45-55 minutes from downtown and not by next to the lake.....that's the commute time to highland park/lake forest, is it not?

There are parts of Wheaton that are definitely diverse. Check the areas east of Naper Blvd along Rt. 38. There are older homes in that part of town, the area is safe, and you can find decent populations of Vietnamese, African-Americans, Hispanics, Russians, Somalians, Cambodians, etc. Its not Chicago, but its not all Caucasian either like most people think all of Wheaton is.

[Elizabeth98]

I have to push for Oak park (because I live here and love it). It is extremely close to the city and the el. Lake street is great to live near and the schools are really good. In todays market you can get a great home for 500k. It seems to have everything your looking for except the north shore near the lake thing. I certainly think evanston and oak park have a different feel (sl. more urban, boarders the city) then all the other burbs you mentioned.

[cmoscinski]

Top picks for GREAT west surburbs: La Grange, La Grange Park, Downers Grove, Lemont - diverse yet very family oriented. Also commute to LOOP via METRA (20 MINUTES) and still in the middle of everything!

Personally, I think Oak park is a bit too pricey for what is being offered in these other suburbs.

Home prices for 3BR range from low $300K to upper $800K and higher - great deals are out there!

No lake but you are only a 20 minute METRA ride from it!

It's that or pay for the lake you want in house price.

There are also many REO's too, might get you a lower price (negotiate) with bank.

Evanston is hot market and a great place to start...I suggest you drive through the towns and decide which you like best!

[GoCUBS1]

You said that being close to the lake is one of your top priorities. Yet most of the recommendations are nowhere near the lake.

That being said, you might find a fixer-upper in your price range (especially in this market) in Evanston or Wilmette. If not, I'd suggest looking further north and slightly west of the lake. Gurnee is in your price range and only 1 town away from the lake. It also meets many of your other criteria. It is diverse and has pretty good schools. It does not have a walkable/quaint downtown though.

[vester72]

Originally Posted by cricket00

we are an interracial family of 4. we have twin daughters who are 2. my husband works downtown and i work in the suburbs. but i'll be staying home with my girls shortly, so my commute time is unimportant.

here's what we're looking for:
~45-50 minutes from downtown
~metra stop
~walkable, quaint downtown area
~excellent schools
~by the lake
~diverse community

here's the problem:
~our budget is upper-400's-550K, and too many homes that we've looked at (primarily in wilmette and evanston) are too small/one bathroom/no basement/one car garage or even just a port/no central air/needs updating, etc. etc.

we know oak park would perfectly suit our needs, but my husband has decided that he's just not a fan of being that far from the lake. to each his own, i guess.

top contenders so far:
~NE or NW evanston
~SW wilmette
~skokie
~highland park

winnetka, glencoe, and the northern part of wilmette are not only out of our price range, but also too homogenous for us.

can anyone offer any advice/alternative suggestions?
thanks!

The part you'll have problems with are "by the lake" and "diverse"

That leaves you with Evanston and the city - seriously.

The North Shore is about as far from diverse as you can get - and the South Shore is nice in the city (South Loop and Hyde Park), but farther south is not so nice.

If you compromise being by the lake, you'll find some beautiful areas - maybe substitute "lake" for "forest preserves" and you'll have more luck.