30-something single -- what suburb? (Chicago, Naperville: apartment, condominiums, neighborhood)

[HockeyFan]

I'm really favoring a townhome-style place though, largely for allergy reasons -- particularly cigarette smoke drifting from other units. Does anyone live in a high-rise and know if that is a major issue? In the past, I've had signficant problems with apartments that had interior hallways -- I spent many evenings driving around town because I could not stay in my apartment for health reasons.

What scares me a bit about the city is a couple of things... first of all, I'm not into anything trendy, I'm far more of a laid-back, don't care about image type. The second is, everyone tells me people in the city proper don't care about hockey, and to be honest, I'm really looking to be in an area where being a hockey fan isn't an oddity. Hockey has given me job opportunities in the past, and I'm looking that way for the future as well, so I'd like to be somewhere around other hockey fans.

Thanks again!

[Drover]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

What are the thoughts on the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates area for someone in my situation? I'm relatively familar with the area from the past -- albeit 6-7 years ago now -- it has a lot of nightlife, not really a traditional downtown, but a lot of energy it seemed . . .

The utter lack of downtowns is why I didn't mention them.

As for Naperville being single versus family-oriented, it's both. Naperville is a big place, close to 150,000. So there's room for both.

[mia220]

This is a huge generalization, but I can't see people in Evanston being huge hockey fans.

Its downtown seems a little more on the trendy side-not really any sports bars if I remember.

[Lookout Kid]

If you're not going for Evanston, Naperville would be better than any of the other places mentioned in this thread in terms of a singles scene. Downtown Naperville is actually pretty vibrant for a far-flung suburb. And Naperville has plenty of new construction, but once again, it ain't cheap. It's cheaper than Evanston, though.

Unlike many other American cities, Chicago really concentrates it's young singles in the city. Even the most vibrant suburbs don't come close to what you'd find in the city. Most people just deal with a smaller apartment than they'd like for a few years and then flee to the suburbs when they have a family. The true urbanites either make the city work for their family or find something in an inner-ring suburb.

By the way, I know MANY hockey fans in the city... If you lived in the Wrigleyville section of Lakeview, you could just seek out anyone from Michigan or Minnesota. Everyone I meet from Michigan is a Die Hard Wings fan, and you can't walk a block in Wrigleyville without tripping over someone from Michigan.

[Steve-o]

Id also recommend Naperville to you. Very lively, HUGE college crowd with lots of adults and children thrown in the mix, too. Very safe, very clean, tons of amenities. Wheaton is also nice, but geared more towards the adult crowd. Ive got LOTS of pictures of both towns... let me know if youre interested.

[HockeyFan]

[quote=Lookout Kid;4087339]Unlike many other American cities, Chicago really concentrates it's young singles in the city. Even the most vibrant suburbs don't come close to what you'd find in the city. Most people just deal with a smaller apartment than they'd like for a few years and then flee to the suburbs when they have a family. The true urbanites either make the city work for their family or find something in an inner-ring suburb./QUOTE]

That's kind of a concern that I've found, something that actually could lead me in another direction rather than Chicago. Being single at this relatively late point of my life, I'm not sure a family is something I'm really looking for. As a result, there's a good chance I'll be single for quite a while -- does a, say, 40-year-old single fit in anywhere in the Chicago area?

The smaller apartment does seem to be an option for many. For allergy reasons, I'm just not sure it would be for me -- common interior hallways are definitely an issue smoke-wise.

Unfortunately, as much as I love Chicago, I'm not really seeing an area that fits for me, unless I'm missing something.

Naperville may be a compromise situation alright -- or at least something near there. It does seem somewhat more vibrant/young than other suburbs.

Also, what areas tend to be open a little later? Even for routine dinner, I like to eat around 9 pm -- in many suburbs in many cities, most places are closing by then!

[HockeyFan]

Originally Posted by mia220

This is a huge generalization, but I can't see people in Evanston being huge hockey fans.

Its downtown seems a little more on the trendy side-not really any sports bars if I remember.

Yeah... the more I hear, the more I think Evanston might not be my ideal match. And at the cost.. you could just live in the city.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

Being single at this relatively late point of my life, I'm not sure a family is something I'm really looking for. As a result, there's a good chance I'll be single for quite a while -- does a, say, 40-year-old single fit in anywhere in the Chicago area?

Sure. On the North Side. And Naperville might not be that bad for you either, though you should really spend some time there before you make your decision.

But of course you can always live in the burbs and go out in the city. There are singles of all ages involved in the city nightlife. Chicagoland is big enough that you can easily find a niche to fit into regardless of what you're into.

I know several singles in their 30s. It's not a late age at all.

[HockeyFan]

The only thing I've heard about a lot of areas on the North Side is they're either

a) trendy/yuppie or
b) not so nice

Are there "real people" areas on the North Side? I'm not into clubs or anything trendy, or that concerned about image. What would be some good North Side neighborhoods for someone like me?

[FB1977]

As a 30 year old single myself, I can vouch for the Schaumburg area. I grew up in Streamwood, which is right next door and I live in the Algonquin area now. I still find myself heading to Schaumburg when I want to go out for a night on the town. I think you could easily find the types of bars/places you are looking for in the Schaumburg area. There are a fair amount of sports bars and tons of sports fans (in my opinion) so I don't think you'd be hard-pressed to find fellow hockey fans. :-)