Lake Zurich, Long Grove, and Hawthorn Woods, etc. (Chicago, Arlington Heights: relocating, estate)

[irenegillespie]

As most of you know, we are moving to IL and looking for a home! Can you please tell me if Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Kildeer, and Hawthorn Woods are nice areas? Looking for a great school system and perhaps a "hip" downtown.

We have already looked into St. Charles and Geneva (hip downtown, nice areas but really too far of a commute for hubby), and Barrington (really nice and close to hubby's work but not a lot in our price range). Myhusband will be working in Hoffman Estates. We plan to look at Cary as well. We need a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath (minimum). We have 4 kids. We also want an updated kitchen and full finished basement as well as a decent piece of property. Our top price is $700k.

Please tell me your thoughts, I appreciate it!

[chet everett]

Long Grove has the 'anti-hip' downtown -- it is a cross between a "preserved" farm area down town and some added "period style" shops and restaurants. It can be great for tourism and even somewhat for families but it ain't hip...

Kildeer and Hawthorne Woods are sort of "non-towns" in that they don't have train service or anything really resembling a traditional town center -- if you are looking too far north as you are really drifting into "better commute to St. Charles" territory...

Lake Zurich doesn't have train service either, but does have something of town center, and might even ovelap with Hawthorne Woods. Parts of it are not unlike Barrington.

I can't stress enough that you don't need to have a lot of choices as long as ONE house that you see in Barrington rings your bell you'll be set. A good Realtor that understand you REALLY are relocating and REALLY can't suddenly find some secret pile of money ought to be able to sniff out the places that have listing prices way too high but sellers that want to deal. I would not hesitate to look at places as much as $175-200K over your ceiling and write up offers that reflect your true buying price. This very weekend I met with a nice women who, in addition to owning a lovely home in Hinsdale with her husband, inherited her parents home. It is very dated and realistically will need MAJOR renovation, like MANY hundreds of thousands dollars worth. It has been listed with a Realtor for over 6 months at $1M. I, point blank, asked her if the agent has brought ANY offers. She replied no, becuase "she didn't need to sell it for too much under that". My question to her was "If I brought you an offer for something north of $700K but under $800K COULD YOU THINK OF SOMETHING better to do with three quarters of a million of dollars that you could only do if you hold out for a million??? She is THINKING HARD, and I suspect a whole lot of people in Barrington would react very similarly to you....

[IbeDavid]

These towns are very nice areas, especially Long Grove and Kildeer. I think youll be hardpressed to find a 4 bedroom home in these towns for $700 k though. I think you could in Lake Zurick which is also a nice town. Lake Zurick downtown is rather plain at this point, BUT, all along Route 12 is fantastic shopping and restaurants galore plus its a short drive into the country (that means cornfields primarily here in illinois). Nice towns that are closer to Hoffman Estates and have a nice appeal are : Palatine (town is really spread out) and Schaumburg (spread out too but seems overcrowded most of the time). Youll get something for $700 k . Cant tell you about the schools for any of these towns but doubt you could go wrong with any of them regarding the schools. Lots of summer activities in Schaumburg, Palatine especially with Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg --- a gigantic size Mall. Many nice restaurants around Schaumburg and Palatine and close to major roads and Interstates.

[irenegillespie]

We were in IL house hunting this past weekend and did not like Palatine or Schaumburg at all. I'm sure they are nice, but just not for us. Thank you, though!

[kristenshellenbarger]

What about Evanston?! That is the best downtown and urban feel of a city, on the lake!! Very close to downtown Chicago too! You have to check it out.

[kristenshellenbarger]

I might be biased being I was born and raised there. GREAT city that keeps growing and growing. If you like anything from the finest restuarants to farmer's markets, great schools/sports..Etown is worth the pretty penny.

[nanannie]

Evanston would be a ridiculous commute for work in Hoffman Estates.

[nanannie]

Have you checked out Arlington Hts? The parts of Palatine that I think are nice are the older hoods around downtown and some nice,big yard heavily treed areas around Old Plum Grove rd. There are some lovely areas in Inverness as well which borders Palatine and Barrington. I agree with the poster who said to not discount an area (Barrington) that seems over price range for you. There are homes that have been sitting for a long time and are negotiable.

[irenegillespie]

We do love Barrington. While there, we ate at the most adorable little breakfast place called "Egg Harbor Bistro" - LOVED IT!!! We also like Arlington Heights a lot. Like Barrington, we can't get as much for our $$ as we can in Cary, St. Charles, or Geneva BUT it's close to hubby's work and it's an adorable town. We actually know a family that lives there and they showed us around this past weekend. Our realtor is checking into Barrington and Arlington Heights daily for us. She suggested we stretch our budget up (I think a poster said that as well) and settle down at $700k when it's all said and done. It's a nice strategy. I am hoping we will find our home sweet home soon!

[nanannie]

Well, good luck to you in your search,dont think you can go wrong with any of your choices. I hope all goes smooth and you find "home".