Best western Suburb for young family (Naperville, Oak Park: neighborhoods, school, where to live)

[Chicago519]

Hi, my family may be possibly relocating to the western suburbs, we would need to be close to both Naperville and Elmhurst. Any suggestion on where to live? We’ve been thinking Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Lisle, & oak brook .naperville and Elmhurst are to far from each other to live in either of those so we need somewhere more in the middle. Thoughts?

[MSchemist80]

Depends on your budget, tastes, and priorities but it is tough to go wrong with any of the suburbs aside from parts of Villa Park in any of the suburbs between Naperville and Elmhurst.

[OPRFmama]

I agree that the right answer depends on your budget, as your money will get you further in some suburbs rather than others. For comparison, here are the median selling prices for some of the different suburbs:

Oak Brook: $710,000
Hinsdale: $882,000
Willowbrook: $430,000
Clarendon Hills: $494,000
Westmont: $292,500
Downers Grove: $359,000
Lisle: $355,000
Glen Ellyn: $368,000
Lombard: $275,000

Once you narrow down your options based on budget, I recommend going to check out each of the areas to see what they offer in terms of neighborhoods, dining, shopping, and entertainment options to get a feel for where you feel most comfortable. I grew up in Willowbrook and have family / friends / clients in most of the western burbs, and they all love where they live!

[mwj119]

Money aside, I'd choose Oak Park, Hinsdale, Western Springs, or La Grange.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Money aside, I'd choose Oak Park, Hinsdale, Western Springs, or La Grange.

I wouldn't forget about Clarendon Hills.

[flamadiddle]

Did Hinsdale HS ever resolve the removal of sports programs? This may matter to OP.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/chica...t-cut-h-s.html

[OKParker]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Money aside, I'd choose Oak Park, Hinsdale, Western Springs, or La Grange.

Good variety in terms of what you want in a suburb.. but yes all are 500k+

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

Did Hinsdale HS ever resolve the removal of sports programs? This may matter to OP.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/chica...t-cut-h-s.html

The bond referendum will be held on April 2nd. My guess is that bullying will win the day, but I can't be certain.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

I wouldn't forget about Clarendon Hills.

I have less experience with Clarendon Hills, though I know it's a beautiful town. Am I wrong to say that, compared to the others mentioned, it's a bit different? Less of a grid format, a lot of post WWII builds?

To be fair, towns like La Grange have plenty of that housing stock, but is more isolated as you move south of 47.

[JJski]

The gold corridor in west is La Grange thru Clarendon Hills... ie La Grange, Western Springs, Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills.

Downers Grove great location fitting your geo parameters. but you need to provide more info, budget, is a walkable downtown a must have like it was for us, etc...