Relocating from Philly (Chicago, Aurora, Naperville: budget, apartments, rent)

[gnpinks]

Dear All,
I will be relocating from Philadelphia along with my wife to Chicago. As all the Big cities I am sure even Chicago has its good and bad neighbourhood. I will be working in the city at University of Illinois and my guess is that will be using Polk station on Pink line for my daily commute. I am looking for a 2BR apartment in the suburbs with easy commute to my work place.
I'll appreciate any help in this regard.
Thanks in advance.

[sukwoo]

1. Any kids?
2. How much are you willing to pay for rent?
3. How long a commute will you tolerate?
4. Where in Philly do you live? (And do you like it there?)

[gnpinks]

Thanks for you response.

1. No Kids as of now (planning pretty soon).
2. rent around $1000 - $1400
3. Currently we live in Wynnewood, an upscale suburb of Philly - We love it here.
4. The train station is 3 minutes walk from our apartment. It takes 20 minutes train journey to downtown Philly, and is around 7mi - 25 minutes drive as well.

We would love something similar in Chicago if possible.

[sukwoo]

I've spent a little bit of time in Bryn Mawr, so I'll assume Wynnewood is similar. I'd recommend some of the inner western suburbs to you: Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, and possibly Berwyn. These suburbs are all close to the western el lines (Blue and/or Pink) which will bring you to work at UIC.

OP and RF have historically attracted liberal professionals who want to live in an older, pedestrian-oriented town with good transit access to Chicago. Lots of quaint houses and fair number of vintage apartments within your price range. Relatively easy to get by without a car. OP/RF share a downtown area which has a Whole Foods, Starbucks x3, Trader Joes (opening soon), Border's Books, plus restaurants, knick-knack shops, etc. Regarding crime, its not super high, but probably higher than Main Line PA. The closer to the Chicago border (eastward) you go, the higher the crime rate is, so depending on your comfort level, you'll want to stay west.

Forest Park and Berwyn are historically more blue collar but are gentrifying as people get priced out of OP and RF.

If these areas are a bit too urban for you, and I think on the whole they are bit more urban than the Main Line, then you could go further out, but then you'd rely on the commuter rail or car for getting to work.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by gnpinks

Thanks for you response.

1. No Kids as of now (planning pretty soon).
2. rent around $1000 - $1400
3. Currently we live in Wynnewood, an upscale suburb of Philly - We love it here.
4. The train station is 3 minutes walk from our apartment. It takes 20 minutes train journey to downtown Philly, and is around 7mi - 25 minutes drive as well.

We would love something similar in Chicago if possible.

Its pretty far out from Chicago, but Id recommend Naperville. There are some great apartments right near the Metra tracks, called Railway Plaza. You dont have to pay for parking at the Metra station on Rt. 59 and North Aurora Rd, and you can walk to the station, its about 200 yards from the complex. Rent is a bit pricey, but within your budget, and Naperville rocks.

Railway Plaza Apartments Naperville, IL - Apartments for Rent in Naperville Illinois

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[sukwoo]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Its pretty far out from Chicago, but Id recommend Naperville. There are some great apartments right near the Metra tracks, called Railway Plaza. You dont have to pay for parking at the Metra station on Rt. 59 and North Aurora Rd, and you can walk to the station, its about 200 yards from the complex. Rent is a bit pricey, but within your budget, and Naperville rocks.

Railway Plaza Apartments Naperville, IL - Apartments for Rent in Naperville Illinois

Naperville Restaurants Bars Clubs Entertainment

Naperville is nice, but its at least 30 minutes by Metra to Union Station then probably 30 minutes more by bus or el to UIC.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Naperville is nice, but its at least 30 minutes by Metra to Union Station then probably 30 minutes more by bus or el to UIC.

Yeah, its far out, but for some people theyre willing to sacrifice a little to live in Naperville, its alot of fun for young families, etc. Twas just an idea...