Moving to Chicago suburbs 2021 (Aurora, Naperville: salon, home, public schools)

[citytosuburbs0]

Thank you, Curly Q! This is very informative. I’d love to move to Indiana and not deal with any of this. But I believe the commute to the Loop is too long, unless the alternate covid schedule is not showing an express train if they even have one. If you had to choose a suburb outside of Chicago to buy in and try not to lose too much, maybe one with lower tax rates, what would you choose? More than 1 is fine!

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Originally Posted by citytosuburbs0

Thank you! In your opinion, is a buying a brand new construction home not a good idea as far as resale in 5-10 years?

A little confused on what you mean about crossing the tracks?

To speak for Ramen, I have a little familiarity. The town is bisected north and south by the rail tracks, and there are not all that many places to cross them, you have to sometimes travel a fair distance in order to get from one side of the tracks to the other; it's almost like living in two distinct towns because of it. Traffic also gets backed up around the train stations and parking lots during commute times, I try to avoid the streets that run parallel to the tracks (if I can help it) because of traffic. For instance, if you are traveling between Cass Ave. and Main Street, you're better off taking 55th Street than Chicago Ave, LOL, I've done both. But again, I do like Downers Grove, my lawyer has his office there, and there's a GREAT popcorn shop on Main Street near the Library.

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Originally Posted by citytosuburbs0

Thank you, Curly Q! This is very informative. I’d love to move to Indiana and not deal with any of this. But I believe the commute to the Loop is too long, unless the alternate covid schedule is not showing an express train if they even have one. If you had to choose a suburb outside of Chicago to buy in and try not to lose too much, maybe one with lower tax rates, what would you choose? More than 1 is fine!

I've lived in an inner-ring suburb (near Midway Airport) since before Chicago aldermen took bribes (allegedly), so that's been a LONG time. I did my career near Burr Ridge, and my sister lived in unincorporated Downers Grove, so I have an affinity for that area - but that's just me, my advice would be to take the advice of someone more knowledgeable, LOL. I would probably look further north, if it were my money and Indiana were out of the question, you're getting a lot of information thrown at you and it will take some time to digest. What are the odds you can stay in the company-provided housing an extra couple of months if you pay for it yourself, in order to avoid having to move twice? Does your husband's company make referrals for real estate agents, or otherwise have a "relocation specialist"? Finding one you're comfortable with would be one of the first things I did after landing here, they may provide you with valuable advice. He will also probably get a lot of good information from his new co-workers.

[RamenAddict]

Originally Posted by citytosuburbs0

Thank you! In your opinion, is a buying a brand new construction home not a good idea as far as resale in 5-10 years?

A little confused on what you mean about crossing the tracks?

I think it’s worth it to keep your options open to all newer construction, not necessary be stuck on brand new construction.

As an example of crossing the tracks, there is a forest preserve in Downers just south of the tracks. It is literally about 2 blocks from people who live just north of the tracks, but they will have to walk almost a mile and a half one way just to get there. The lack of crossings can make walking (or even driving) some places more difficult. It’s not a major issue, but I don’t know that I would want to be so close that I hear a ton of train noise but still a good 3/4 mile away from the nearest station.

[Ditto97]

Originally Posted by citytosuburbs0

Thank you, Curly Q! This is very informative. I’d love to move to Indiana and not deal with any of this. But I believe the commute to the Loop is too long, unless the alternate covid schedule is not showing an express train if they even have one. If you had to choose a suburb outside of Chicago to buy in and try not to lose too much, maybe one with lower tax rates, what would you choose? More than 1 is fine!

I believe there's an express train from some of the other suburbs, but I don't believe any of the southern suburbs offer one. Nor does the South Shore Line in Indiana. My husband drives to the South Loop from Indiana and it takes him about 40-45 minutes to get to work...but that's during COVID times. In normal times, it's usually around an hour. I think the commute from Indiana would be pushing the limits when you consider driving to the train station & then a train commute.

I know Brookfield has an express train. I think Orland Park does as well. I'm sure other suburbs do as well, but I'm not entirely sure which ones.

[RJA29]

I can speak for the western suburbs, where your $$ will go farther.

Downtown/ core Downers Grove and Clarendon Hills would be my bets. Also, LaGrange is great, but your money will not travel as far.

You can find a newly built, custom home in northwestern DG (think elementary schools such as Pierce Downer or Whittier, for example) for ~$1MM. Many 5-8 year old homes that are perfectly luxurious for ~$900K.

Clarendon Hills is a bit more uniform and closer to the city, although Metra times might be similar. I'd live in LaGrange if I could get the same house for the money, but, well, I can't.

DM me if you want any info on DG.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by Ditto97

I believe there's an express train from some of the other suburbs, but I don't believe any of the southern suburbs offer one. Nor does the South Shore Line in Indiana. My husband drives to the South Loop from Indiana and it takes him about 40-45 minutes to get to work...but that's during COVID times. In normal times, it's usually around an hour. I think the commute from Indiana would be pushing the limits when you consider driving to the train station & then a train commute.

I know Brookfield has an express train. I think Orland Park does as well. I'm sure other suburbs do as well, but I'm not entirely sure which ones.

Orland Park does not have an express train. The fastest train from Orland is roughly 50 minutes from 143rd Street, a few minutes longer from 151st. There's no houses in Brookfield listed for more than $500k at the moment. It's not worth their time being at a much higher price point.

[Ditto97]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

Orland Park does not have an express train. The fastest train from Orland is roughly 50 minutes from 143rd Street, a few minutes longer from 151st. There's no houses in Brookfield listed for more than $500k at the moment. It's not worth their time being at a much higher price point.

Good to know about Orland Park, thanks for the correction. I wonder where I heard that then! I mentioned Brookfield for the fact that the station offers an express train, and it's in close proximity to towns OP was recommended. If being near a station that offers an express train is important to OP, it might help narrow down some suburbs.

[RamenAddict]

Originally Posted by Ditto97

Good to know about Orland Park, thanks for the correction. I wonder where I heard that then! I mentioned Brookfield for the fact that the station offers an express train, and it's in close proximity to towns OP was recommended. If being near a station that offers an express train is important to OP, it might help narrow down some suburbs.

You may be thinking the Rock Island that goes out of Tinley Park at 80th St. It is pretty close to Orland, so many people from Orland take that instead. I think the fastest express from there takes about 40 minutes, although now I don’t think there are too many offerings with that time.

[citytosuburbs0]

Thank you!