Which of these suburbs would be the smartest interns of real estate value? (Naperville: low crime)

[Orghiplove]

Looking at Glen Ellyn, DG, Clarendon Hills, and Western Springs with a budget of around $500k. All would be fairly comparable in terms of walking distance to train and size of home. We’re looking to settle for around 10-15 years. Hoping to make a decent choice in this current housing market.

[damba]

The winning lottery numbers would be good to know as well

[Orghiplove]

That bad eh?

[damba]

Originally Posted by Orghiplove

That bad eh?

Not at all. They are all good choices. You just need to adjust your expectations a little. Live in an area that suits your needs/provides access to public transportation/has solid quality schools/low crime. The longer term ‘net’ result for your particular piece of real estate is something a crystal ball can’t even predict.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by Orghiplove

Looking at Glen Ellyn, DG, Clarendon Hills, and Western Springs with a budget of around $500k. All would be fairly comparable in terms of walking distance to train and size of home. We’re looking to settle for around 10-15 years. Hoping to make a decent choice in this current housing market.

LG/Western Springs would be my guess.

Bet on job access, ease of transportation, offerings in the core. Schools might as well be a wash in these communities. A lot near the core of LG and Western Springs is probably worth $350-$400k alone. Not sure you could say the same about Glen Ellyn or DG.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by Orghiplove

Looking at Glen Ellyn, DG, Clarendon Hills, and Western Springs with a budget of around $500k. All would be fairly comparable in terms of walking distance to train and size of home. We’re looking to settle for around 10-15 years. Hoping to make a decent choice in this current housing market.

Things can change in what'll seem like a flash. I would probably rank them this way:

1. Western Springs
2. Clarendon Hills
3. Downers Grove
4. Glen Ellyn

Further from the city is a reality, and the communities happen to rank that way in terms of reputation/housing values.

[deeman7]

I have a few interns but I'm not sure who is the smartest.

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

Things can change in what'll seem like a flash. I would probably rank them this way:

1. Western Springs
2. Clarendon Hills
3. Downers Grove
4. Glen Ellyn

Further from the city is a reality, and the communities happen to rank that way in terms of reputation/housing values.

Distance to the city doesn’t matter much in this case, and an argument can be made that it will matter even less in the future.

I would say reputation/housing values for incorporated portions of the towns in question is more like:

T-1) Glen Ellyn
T-1) Western Springs
T-1) Clarendon Hills
4) Downers Grove

The first three are more tightly bunched in terms of incomes, housing, aesthetics, schools and downtowns. Downers Grove has a wider range of incomes and housing, lower performing schools, and a less attractive core.

Elmhurst, La Grange and Wheaton compare favorably to the list and might represent better investments, as well as central Naperville.

[ToriaT]

I agree with Holl1ngsworth. His ranking seems more reasonable. Glen Ellyn is a very nice community. You can't go wrong with any of them though.