Canadian (Alberta) moving to Chicagoland (Arlington Heights, Schaumburg: rental, house, purchase)

[jabberiq]

Hi All,

Have been skulking around on the forum and trying to piece together information....decided to just register ;p

Have been offered a position in Des Plaines and hoping to start around July/Aug, we have two young kids one is a toddler and the other will be joining elementary shortly.

Selling our property in Alberta and looking to purchase (not fully sure of that). Based on recommendations we are looking at Schaumburg, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove etc...the market here is very different especially the property taxes (Wowzers!!!!)....Did look at renting a 3 bedroom house but they are also quite pricey here guess this is the market

any feedback or recommendation this forum could provide would be very helpful...thanks everyone

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by jabberiq

Hi All,

Have been skulking around on the forum and trying to piece together information....decided to just register ;p

Have been offered a position in Des Plaines and hoping to start around July/Aug, we have two young kids one is a toddler and the other will be joining elementary shortly.

Selling our property in Alberta and looking to purchase (not fully sure of that). Based on recommendations we are looking at Schaumburg, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove etc...the market here is very different especially the property taxes (Wowzers!!!!)....Did look at renting a 3 bedroom house but they are also quite pricey here guess this is the market

any feedback or recommendation this forum could provide would be very helpful...thanks everyone

What exactly are you looking for (public education, walkability, transit, housing stock, etc.)? Where in Alberta are you living now?

[jabberiq]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

What exactly are you looking for (public education, walkability, transit, housing stock, etc.)? Where in Alberta are you living now?

Public education is a top priority and hoping not to spend more than $2,000/month on housing we are pretty flexible on everything else.


Currently living in Edmonton and bringing one of our cars along

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by jabberiq

Public education is a top priority and hoping not to spend more than $2,000/month on housing we are pretty flexible on everything else.


Currently living in Edmonton and bringing one of our cars along

Are you looking for a house under $2k/month?

[ToriaT]

You will need cars. Probably two cars where you are looking. Suburbs are car centric and they are needed. You might want to look at Park Ridge, Arlington Heights and Mt. Prospect. I think they have better schools than some of the suburbs you mentioned plus Arlington Heights and Park Ridge have charming downtowns. Park Ridge is closer to the city though. I'd look in these suburbs first maybe Schaumburg, but skip Elk Grove and Bloomingdale.

[jabberiq]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

Are you looking for a house under $2k/month?

Yes....looking at purchasing currently. Renting looks to be about 2.5k/month it seems

[jabberiq]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

You will need cars. Probably two cars where you are looking. Suburbs are car centric and they are needed. You might want to look at Park Ridge, Arlington Heights and Mt. Prospect. I think they have better schools than some of the suburbs you mentioned plus Arlington Heights and Park Ridge have charming downtowns. Park Ridge is closer to the city though. I'd look in these suburbs first maybe Schaumburg, but skip Elk Grove and Bloomingdale.

Why not Elk Grove and Bloomingdale?

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by jabberiq

Why not Elk Grove and Bloomingdale?

Bloomingdale is OK, but Elk Grove has a number of undesired traits.
The main being it's proximity to O'Hare noise pollution, traffic, and industry.
Have you visited yet?.
As mentioned, Mt. Prospect/Arlington Hts/Palatine area would be better options.
Also not sure why you would consider Bloomingdale, as it creates a tougher commute through the Schaumburg area bottleneck.

[jabberiq]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

Bloomingdale is OK, but Elk Grove has a number of undesired traits.
The main being it's proximity to O'Hare noise pollution, traffic, and industry.
Have you visited yet?.
As mentioned, Mt. Prospect/Arlington Hts/Palatine area would be better options.
Also not sure why you would consider Bloomingdale, as it creates a tougher commute through the Schaumburg area bottleneck.

Havent visited yet.... trying to do as much leg work as possible..will be staying in temp housing for a month or so. Hoping to get a better ideas of the locations then

Wife liked a couple of properties there in Bloomingdale, also was not aware of the Schaumburg traffic bottleneck

[damba]

Originally Posted by jabberiq

Why not Elk Grove and Bloomingdale?

Schools are not rated as highly.

$2500 for a 3/2 home rental near Arlington Heights or Mt Prospect would present a lot of value to a family like yours with young kids IMHO. Plenty of green space/park district activities/amenities nearby.