Working in Northbrook, where to live? (Naperville, Waukegan: fit in, condominiums, appliances)

[chicagoerin]

Hello-I will be working in the Eastern part of Northbrook at Skokie Blvd and 68. I lived in Naperville for 5 years (loved it!) and moved to Columbus years ago. I am moving back and want to be within 15 minute drive from work. I need to stay under 400k, have no kids and need a yard that can be fenced for my two dogs. Where would you suggest I look? Thanks!

[chicagoerin]

Bump..please offer suggestions!

[code10t]

There are tons of great areas near Northbrook that are quite different from each other. Could you be a bit more specific as to what you are looking for? New constructions, or older homes? Do you want to live in area with a downtown, or is a decentralized, suburban area OK? Do you want someplace a bit more rural with more open space and parks, or someplace more compact and city-like?

Places like Glencoe, Winnetka, and Kenilworth are on the lake. Those are very expensive luxury communities with older homes. All three are very close to where you will be working. Highland Park and Deerfield which are just north of Northbrook are also known as very nice communities. They are larger and both have downtown areas in addition to suburban style homes. I personally like Riverwoods and Lincolnshire, which are just west of Deerfield. Note that all of these communities are fairly expensive and may or may not be in your price range depending on what you're looking for. If you're a bit more specific as to what you would like you'll probably get better suggestions.

[chicagoerin]

Hi Code10t thanks for the response..I guess I didn't think I had the luxury of being more specific in my price range and wanting to be so close to Northbrook ! So, ideally my main criteria is really to be close to work. I would like 15 minutes or less in traffic. I am guessing for under 400k I will get an older, small, probably not very updated ranch/bungalo. The community really isn't as important to me, although as a non-Jewish person, I might fit in better to a community that is not primarily Jewish. I need a yard that can be fenced in for my dogs. That really sums up my criteria. I think since the areas are sooo expensive I can't be too picky. I wish I could consider Winnetka, Glencoe, etc, but don't think I can get anything for under 400k there...

Thanks much for all the suggestions.
Erin

[code10t]

If being as close to work as possible is a priority, I would check out Deerfield. The commute is pretty easy - just take Waukegan Rd south a few miles to Dundee Rd (IL-68) and then go east to wherever work is. I looked online and saw some nice houses in the 300s range. It is a very nice area with generally newer homes. It also has an upscale well-maintained downtown area. I don't know about the fenced-in yards; you'd have to ask someone else on the board about that or contact the village.

If that doesn't work, I would check out Buffalo Grove, as that's a nice area that should have some properties in your price range. It's a bit farther from where you're working, and is probably a little longer than 15 minutes in rush hour, though (probably about 15 at off-peak times). The commute shouldn't be too bad though since there are a couple major streets you can take and you don't have to deal with expressway traffic going in/out of the city. It's a less expensive more typical suburban area.

[openspace]

Consider Lake Zurich which has great schools and is in your price range and not primarily Jewish. It has a nice lake with a beach and park and near tons of shopping (range from Costco, Trader Joes, Deer Park Mall).

[openspace]

Sorry I read your post closer and see that you don't need schools. Are you looking for a single family home or townhome (with a yard and that allows pets)?
Also, commute from Lake Zurich may not be as short as you'd like. You may want to consider Mount Prospect or Des Plaines.

[Nysee53]

There are some very nice 3 bedroom townhomes with wood decks and yards in Wilmette. They are on Lake Avenue and some have been updated and they are always priced in the $370,000 range. I don't think they offer garage parking though. Wilmette is about 15 to 20 minutes from Northbrook via the Edens Expressway depending on the traffic as many do commute to Northbrook. You can also find townhomes in that range closer to the expressway, they are usually off of Skokie Blvd or Hibbard Road, which gives you quick access to Old Orchard Mall, Downtown Skokie, and the West Wilmette Shopping District. You can also find places like these in Glencoe but they will not be updated, as Glencoe is more expensive than Wilmette. You can find new townhomes with garage parking and geothermal heating in Evanston although they start at $386,000 and go over $500,000. They are also between a nice area of Evanston and an area that is turning around, which does give you a good investment opportunity. If you look in Skokie you might be able to find a nice house with a yard and 2 car garage. I would look to stay close to the expressway as Dempster and Golf Road can get crowded as Evanstonians try to get to the Edens everyday. Skokie is anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes from Northbrook since it is a large spread out town. I will try to look for some nice listings and I will post them.

[Nysee53]

Here are the places I thought were nice in Glencoe, Wilmette, Skokie, and Evanston. I have separated them by town. Will you consider condominiums that are near a park? There are plenty of those in Evanston, Wilmette, and Skokie.

Available Homes

1) Near the Edens Expressway, Old Orchard, Harms Woods, the Glen, and West Wilmette Shopping District. Needs a little updating but move in ready and immediate possesion.
Single Family Home - 708 LAWLER AVE, WILMETTE, IL, 60091 - Realtor.com

2) Near the Edens Expressway, Old Orchard, and all the conveniences of West Wilmette. Needs a little updating, finished basement, large yard, and good value in Romona School District.
Condo/Townhouse/Co-Op - 336 SKOKIE CT Unit: 336, Wilmette, IL, 60091 - Realtor.com

3) Great West Wilmette location close to everything. Nice neutral colors and great yard space with 140' deep lot. Near parks, woods, and walking trails.
Single Family Home - 212 THELIN CT, WILMETTE, IL, 60091 - Realtor.com

4) Very nice Central Wilmette location between everything. Nice area with Indian Hill Estates and Kenilworth Gardens neighborhoods nearby. In the desirable Harper School district.
Single Family Home - 2106 LAKE AVE, WILMETTE, IL, 60091 - Realtor.com

5) Great older renovated farmhouse in West Wilmette. Rare 50' x 150' lot. Wonderful price on great street.
Single Family Home - 3039 WILMETTE AVE, WILMETTE, IL, 60091 - Realtor.com

6) Nice tree-lined location in Skokie. Near everything including shops and restaurants. Rare find, completely renovated, neutral paint, and finished basment.
Single Family Home - 8140 KILBOURN AVE, SKOKIE, IL, 60076 - Realtor.com

7) Desirable Devonshire Highlands Location in Skokie. Very good school district and convenient access to Golf Road.
Single Family Home - 9528 N KILBOURN AVE, SKOKIE, IL, 60076 - Realtor.com

8) Devonshire Highlands renovated home. Very good location, great schools, near parks.
Single Family Home - 4414 DAVIS, SKOKIE, IL, 60076 - Realtor.com

9) Unbelievable, finishes found in 2+ million dollar homes under $400,000. Great kitchen and bathrooms. Great location on desirable street.
Single Family Home - 5450 FOSTER ST, SKOKIE, IL, 60077 - Realtor.com

10) Great 2002 townhome in great convenient location. Really nice finishes including stainless steel appliances.
Condo/Townhouse/Co-Op - 8621 N NILES CENTER RD Unit: 4B, SKOKIE, IL, 60076 - Realtor.com

11) Great home, finished basement, new kitchen, new floors, great location, on pretty street.
Single Family Home - 4832 FARGO, SKOKIE, IL, 60077 - Realtor.com

12) Great Evanston location in hot developing area. Nice updates including finished basement. An incredible value in a lakefront suburb.
Single Family Home - 2015 KEENEY ST, EVANSTON, IL, 60202 - Realtor.com

13) Great home in the hot Washington neighborhood. Near Crown Park and convenient access to McCormick blvd, which will be crucial to your commute.
Single Family Home - 1627 Cleveland ST, Evanston, IL, 60202 - Realtor.com

14) Great townhouse in very nice area near Evanston Place shopping, grocery store, restaurants, and other shops. 5 to 10 minutes to Edens.
Single Family Home - 1627 Cleveland ST, Evanston, IL, 60202 - Realtor.com

15) Charming older home in the desirable Dewey Conference area.
Single Family Home - 746 FLORENCE AVE, EVANSTON, IL, 60202 - Realtor.com

If you are not working with a realtor I will Private Message you the contact information for a good North Shore realtor who has helped me with many transactions in the past and currently.