What are my options for commute less than 45 minutes? (Chicago: condo, house)

[jds62f]

I'm considering taking employment in chicago (and I mean all the way in, Lasalle St./NW Mem Hospital area).

I'm looking for an area where I can have a house or duplex, decent community qualities (no kids but I don't want to have to put bars on the windows) and have a reasonable commute into the city of >=45 min. Public transportation is fine by me if it means less time to work.

This is the beginning of my search, so I'll throw out that at this time I'm not wanting to spend much more than 300k. Hopefully that doesn't make this request a pipedream.

Does such a place exist? The last time I was in chicago I went all the way into the city from naperville, and that morning commute is RIDICULOUS. took me from 7am-8:45 (almost 2 hrs) driving.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by jds62f

I'm considering taking employment in chicago (and I mean all the way in, Lasalle St./NW Mem Hospital area).

I'm looking for an area where I can have a house or duplex, decent community qualities (no kids but I don't want to have to put bars on the windows) and have a reasonable commute into the city of >=45 min. Public transportation is fine by me if it means less time to work.

This is the beginning of my search, so I'll throw out that at this time I'm not wanting to spend much more than 300k. Hopefully that doesn't make this request a pipedream.

Does such a place exist? The last time I was in chicago I went all the way into the city from naperville, and that morning commute is RIDICULOUS. took me from 7am-8:45 (almost 2 hrs) driving.

Well, the closet burbs I can think of are Oak Park (you can take the Green line in) or Evanston (purple line to red line), which Evanston being the easiest probably commute wise; however, I don't know what your options are for 300K in those areas

[tcs1366]

I was think to go south/southwest/west of Chicago, not north.

I'd think there would be more options for a 300k home and still have a decent commute.... especially using public transportation, like Metra.

[Avengerfire]

You could always buy a condo in the city.

[Ophidian14]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

or Evanston (purple line to red line)

The purple line goes all the way downtown during morning and afternoon rush (both ways -- to/from Evanston) -- no need to transfer to the red line. Plus, Metra would be much faster anyway.

[Ophidian14]

Originally Posted by jds62f

I'm looking for an area where I can have a house or duplex, decent community qualities (no kids but I don't want to have to put bars on the windows) and have a reasonable commute into the city of >=45 min. Public transportation is fine by me if it means less time to work.

You don't say if you mean a 45-minute train ride, or 45 minutes door to door. Ogilvie and Union Station are both about two miles from the hospital you mentioned. That's a good half hour walk right there, or about 10-12 minutes bicycle ride (I ride my bike two miles to and from Ogilvie every day.)

The Chicago Ave. red line stop is fairly close, but you won't even get out of the city in 45 minutes taking the 'El' in any direction from downtown. And you won't find a house or duplex for $300k in the city unless you have a separate budget for ammo.

If you mean a 45-minute train ride, then you have a lot more options. That's enough to get you as far as, say, Palatine, Glenview, Wheaton, etc. You'll have more luck out there.

[jds62f]

Yea I was hoping to keep it down to 45/50 min door to door. If its not at all possible that will definitely give me something to think about. Where I'm at right now its prob 30 min door to door.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

Well, the closet burbs I can think of are Oak Park (you can take the Green line in) or Evanston (purple line to red line), which Evanston being the easiest probably commute wise; however, I don't know what your options are for 300K in those areas

Those would be good, though I can tell you that 300k is going to be pushing it for a good house in those communities. You'd be looking at something very small or a condo. I'd also suggest looking at Berwyn (just south of Oak Park and 15-20 minutes to downtown on the Metra) and Forest Park (just west of Oak Park and about the same commute on the Blue Line). I don't know what Forest Park's housing prices are doing these days but I know that in Berwyn you definitely could get a really nice bungalow for $300k in this market.