Downers Grove - Is it the right choice for a Canadian? (Chicago: condo, homes)

[TorontoMom]

We currently live in Toronto. My husband is considering a transfer to Chicago within the next couple of months. After much research, we think Downers Grove is a good place for us to move. I'm a stay-at-home mom, we have a 14-month old child and a dog. Our housing budget is 700-800k.

Being from Canada, I'm sure I will have many questions for you all as we get closer to moving. In the meantime, to be sure we are making the right choice, I have these questions:

1. Does anyone have any info on the Catholic schools in DG? Which are the best?

2. What are the best areas of DG to look? We would like to be relativelty close to the downtown area if possible (walking distance to coffee shop!). We would like a backyard and a quiet street with parks nearby.

3. Is DG a dog-friendly town?

4. Are there any other communities similar to DG that we should be considering? We need to be relatively close to the airport and no more than a 45-minute train ride to downtown Chicago.

I look forward to your feedback!

[Steve-o]

Have you looked into places like South Barrington, or Barrington? Maybe Arlington Heights? Evanston? Oak Park?

[cmoscinski]

Downers Grove is an excellent community! ! ! Great for families, great shopping, METRA, restaurants, vintage stores. Reasonable home prices too, you can find a great home for $300K - $600K and a few REO'S (lux homes for about $600K-$900K).

Look here for more detailed community info:Downers Grove, Illinois - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[prairiestate]

You DO NOT want to move to Downers Grove if you're Canadian! After the riots that ensued after that last Canadian family moved in, the town is still so torn apart. They are just not ready for another Canadian family there.

[Inspector General]

Downers grove is a nice place. I live just east of there in Elmhurst. I spend a lot of time in Downers Grove. There are a ton of great new dinning choices, theaters, shopping and nice neighborhoods. I think Downers Grove is a fair bit less than 45 minutes on the train. Check Metra for more information. I am pretty sure it is on the Chicago-Elburn Line. I have done a lot of home and condo inspections in Downers Grove. Are you looking for a detached single family home or Condo? Either way, you will find a large variety of styles and price ranges. Downers is a good town. And I think they would even take to Canadians! lol If you are moving from Toronto, you will be right at home in Chicago. Good luck. BTW, my favorite Priest of all time, Father Mario is now at .. oops! They moved him to Roselle. I thought he was at St. Mary of Gostyn St. Mary of Gostyn Parish and School, Downers Grove, Illinois but they moved him again. This is a great Parish and School by the way! Good luck!!

Marty

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

You DO NOT want to move to Downers Grove if you're Canadian! After the riots that ensued after that last Canadian family moved in, the town is still so torn apart. They are just not ready for another Canadian family there.

LOL. I remember reading about that in the news, the Great Canadian Riots of 1999. There were masked men with hockey sticks running all aboot. Maple tree being chopped down in protest. Celine Dion and Neil Young CD burnings. It was ugly.

[aragx6]

Actually Downer's is on the BNSF. It depends when you are taking the train as to how long it will take. If it stops at all the stops it about 55 minutes to the city. It can also be as short as 22 minutes if you catch an express.

[TorontoMom]

You guys are too funny! At least I will be surrounded by people with a good sense of humour! Thanks for all your feedback - I hope that a decision (yes or no to the transfer) will be made by the end of the month.

[prairiestate]

Originally Posted by TorontoMom

You guys are too funny! At least I will be surrounded by people with a good sense of humour! Thanks for all your feedback - I hope that a decision (yes or no to the transfer) will be made by the end of the month.

I was wondering what would make a town good for Canadians. Lots of maple syrup shops, ice rinks, and restaurants that serve gravy on their french fries? Seriously though, there's a woman at work whose daughter is in a figure skating program at the Downer's Grove ice arena, and she says it's an awful facility. So consider yourself warned!

[JanuaryGirl]

Downer's Grove is an amazing town! There are plenty of cafes, a movie theater (shows mostly kids movies), bookstore, etc. I live in Chicago but we drive out frequently to go to breakfast at Dali's Cafe in Downtown Downer's Grove, it is THE BEST breakfast restaurant I've ever been to.