Moving to Chicago from Atlanta... (Naperville, Arlington Heights: safe area, good schools, safe)

[VanMan]

I just took a new job in Arlington Heights and will be relocating to the Chicago area from Atlanta in the coming months. Any recommendations on suburbs on the north/northwestern side?
We are a family and are from the northern suburbs of Atlanta; being close to everything but not TOO close to the city (about 25 miles out). Good schools and a safe area are a must. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Ron.]

VM, welcome to Chicago.

Originally Posted by VanMan

I just took a new job in Arlington Heights and will be relocating to the Chicago area from Atlanta in the coming months. Any recommendations on suburbs on the north/northwestern side?
We are a family and are from the northern suburbs of Atlanta; being close to everything but not TOO close to the city (about 25 miles out). Good schools and a safe area are a must. Thanks for any suggestions.

[chet everett]

Arlington Heights itself might qualify. Rather nice, definitely safe.

[Tex?Il?]

Sounds like you're in the right place. AH is about exactly 25 miles out, very safe, nice community. Good schools too. I'm basically from there. Grew up in adjacent suburb immediately on AH's border.

[VanMan]

Thanks a lot, I'll definitely look into the Arlington Heights area. Can anyone fill me in on the traffic issues? Being from Atlanta, I've probably dealt with some of the worst. Are there trains or a metro that reach that far into the burbs (if I wanted to make it into the city) or are the highways the main mode of transportation? I've heard Chicago has an extensive trans. system, just not sure how extensive...

[chet everett]

There are trains that go MUCH farther. AH is probably not even half way to the Harvard Il terminus of that line. Not too great to get from on burb to another, unless they are on same line, but very good to get into City.

AH train service is pretty good, if you are going downtown from there during rush normal hours it is certainly quicker than driving. Although folks complain about Chicago traffic the configuration of the region is such that the shot down the NW tollway and Kennedy is not too bad off peak -- tie ups are at predictable junctions of where expressway interconnect.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by VanMan

Thanks a lot, I'll definitely look into the Arlington Heights area. Can anyone fill me in on the traffic issues? Being from Atlanta, I've probably dealt with some of the worst. Are there trains or a metro that reach that far into the burbs (if I wanted to make it into the city) or are the highways the main mode of transportation? I've heard Chicago has an extensive trans. system, just not sure how extensive...

Many of the area suburbs are served by Metra, a very reputable train system that whisks people to the city or out to the burbs. I do believe that Arlington Heights has a Metra station, too. Driving on the highways is just as insane in Chicagoland as Atlanta, so it wont be a big shock to you, Im sure. Just be sure to check out the Metra station you wish to depart from, some of them (ie Naperville) have a 2-3 year wait to get on the parking list at the station.

[chet everett]

I think OP will be working in AH and only relying on Metra for jaunts into City. Weekends there are no shortage of cash parking at any of the Metra stations.

Very useful link into interactive congestion map: Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor

[VanMan]

Thanks a lot Chet, Steve-0, and Tex. I'll be jumping into the research now..

[Steve-o]

You might also want to check out places like Wheaton, Hinsdale, Glen Ellyn, Western Springs, etc (if you can afford them). Theyre a bit from from Alrlington, but great cities!