Suggestions for where to live (Chicago, Waukegan: real estate market, condo, crime)

[Yossarian1]

My family is considering moving to Chicago from Detroit. We were wondering what area of the city or suburb we should start looking at. Our priorities are good schools, a walkable community, safe. Our preference would be a single family home for about $200,000 to 300,000. We prefer older houses (prior to 1950 construction). My work would likely be in the Loop.

[chet everett]

You will get a wake up call. Detroit area prices were already lower than Chicago area. Though there is some weakening in Chicago market, it is much worse for Detroit.

If I had kids and wanted a walkable type neighborhood in just about any Chicago area for $300K or less I would be very very very reluctant to make the move.

Two towns with decent train commutes and at least some pretty homes from pre-1950 come to mind.

Here is raw data for Oak Lawn:
Cook County - Real Estate Market Pulse

A step up would be someplace like Brookfield:
Cook County - Real Estate Market Pulse

Now I know some folks will chime in about some south suburbs, but I think I might just head to Indianapolis. The data from those links is valid, but it includes intra-family transfers, refinances, and lots and lots of condo. That leaves precious few homes in your range...

[itsafloater]

Try Lombard or Wheaton. They are both very safe, walkable, have smaller homes in that price range, but commute would be a pain.

[chet everett]

I dunno. Lombard and especially Wheaton have had more than a few tear downs in that range. I assume the OP would not want a dumpy place on a slab, when I think pre 1950, I am thinking something with some character/charm...

[Steve-o]

Id also recommend eastern Wheaton or Lombard. Many old homes in that area, some of which are immaculately maintained.

[sbd78]

You may want to check out Tinley Park as well. It has a nice downtown area that is currently being redeveloped. While the majority of the town is post 1950's, the downtown area is primarily older homes and you should be able to find some in your range. (Especially in this market.) Most of the homes in the downtown area are walking distance to the train, and schools are good. Here is the village website if you want to check it out:
Village of Tinley Park

[IbeDavid]

The safest county in ChicagoLand im sure is Lake County ; if you dont mind a longer train commute in exchange for more of a country atmosphere , lower crime , more affordable homes , parks, lakes, forest preserves, somewhat of a less hectic pace...consider Lake County but stay away from the town of North Chicago, Waukegan, and Zion .

[chet everett]

Safest? By what measure? Illinois data by county is not available from the FBI site:

Federal Bureau of Investigation - Uniform Crime Reports

[Nysee53]

You might find a fixer upper in Skokie. Skokie has some nice homes near the Skokie swift rail line and downtown Skokie. The schools are decent, not great, but that is what you get for $200,000 to $300,000. I would not recommend the move if that is all you can afford, because it is hard to find nice stuff in Chicago below $900,000 anymore, we are very much like LA and NYC, now.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by Yossarian1

My family is considering moving to Chicago from Detroit. We were wondering what area of the city or suburb we should start looking at. Our priorities are good schools, a walkable community, safe. Our preference would be a single family home for about $200,000 to 300,000. We prefer older houses (prior to 1950 construction). My work would likely be in the Loop.

what city did you live in in Detroit? This would help in steering you towards the Chicago equivelent. Oakland County would be similar to Lake County, Grosse Pointe = North Shore.