Moving in 30 days, Hinsdale or Wilmette or HP?

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Personally, with little kids, I'd want a larger lot even if it meant having a smaller house. You can always add on to a smaller house, but you're stuck with a small lot forever. And with a swimming pool in your back yard, your kids are sure to be popular in the neighborhood (not sure if you really want to sign up for being the "hangout" house).

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is tax rates, are they similar among the three locations listed? I'd always heard that Burr Ridge has relatively low rates, along with neighboring Willowbrook. I would have LOVED to have a shorter commute during my working years, but property west of Wolf Road and east of Rt. 83 was always just a bit too rich for my blood, and moving further west wasn't much of an improvement over living more east.

One other thing to think about, the Burr Ridge public schools are filled with the Section 8's of the apartments on Rt. 83. A friend's wife taught at one of them, and she likened it to teaching in Chicago - many "nice" kids you want to reach, but you end up spending most of your time on discipline with the kids who have not been socialized. Buyer beware, your mileage may vary.

[summerboredom]

Originally Posted by Curly Q. Bobalink

Personally, with little kids, I'd want a larger lot even if it meant having a smaller house. You can always add on to a smaller house, but you're stuck with a small lot forever. And with a swimming pool in your back yard, your kids are sure to be popular in the neighborhood (not sure if you really want to sign up for being the "hangout" house).

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is tax rates, are they similar among the three locations listed? I'd always heard that Burr Ridge has relatively low rates, along with neighboring Willowbrook. I would have LOVED to have a shorter commute during my working years, but property west of Wolf Road and east of Rt. 83 was always just a bit too rich for my blood, and moving further west wasn't much of an improvement over living more east.

One other thing to think about, the Burr Ridge public schools are filled with the Section 8's of the apartments on Rt. 83. A friend's wife taught at one of them, and she likened it to teaching in Chicago - many "nice" kids you want to reach, but you end up spending most of your time on discipline with the kids who have not been socialized. Buyer beware, your mileage may vary.

Oh no! Your kids might go to school with some kids who don't come with a wealthy background. *emits shudder* Burr Ridge is one of the most wealthy suburbs in the Chicago area. I'm sure the schools are very highly rated and probably nicer than 90% of other Chicago suburbs.

[UMN2BE]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

Also, good luck finding a house at those prices unless you want a prewar, not rehabbed property. Those houses can be the most charming but they are a lot of work and don't have amenities like multiple full bathrooms, finished basements, central air, etc. I know - I have one.

Those prices may be the medians but if you look at the real estate ads, the median of what they're offering for sale in Wilmette is around $1 million.

I have a friend in Wilmette. He paid something like $450k in 2013 for a very small, not-updated 1960s split-level with a one car garage. Nowadays that same house would probably go for $500k with $10k/year property taxes. That seems awfully expensive just to be able to send his kids to New Trier High School...

[ToriaT]

Most people in the western suburbs don't care that much about beaches. The beaches aren't safe to go to now anyway and personally rather have my kids in a pool. Pools are all over the western suburbs. I don't think you will miss a beach. At least we did not.

Having said that, the north shore is nice but your budget will get you only something kind of average for that, I think a million or more is more reasonable. To be sure you can get a nice house I think but it won't be newer or really upscale.

Hinsdale is wonderful. I suggest you visit these suburbs before making a decision. I think the presence of Jewish people in Highland Park is real. It would not concern me but it might matter for others. Go to Wilmette or Winnetka. Or Hinsdale.