Far South Suburbs (Chicago, Oak Park, Tinley Park: apartments, homes, transfer)

[jon62781]

I am moving to Chicago to work in Olympia Fields. Having never lived in Chicago, actually I've only been there once to interview, I know NOTHING about it!

Where are the safe South Chicago suburbs? I am from Oklahoma, so I know housing will be a shock to the system (it is dirt cheap here). However, I want to be in a place that would provide me a relatively easy commute and safety.

Thanks!

Jon

[NSH]

Areas around Olympia Fields can be sketchy, there are a couple pockets of prosperity including Olympia fields and Homewood/Flossmore.

Tinley Park would be my highest recommendation for you as it is only about 15 min west of Olympia Fields and has a lot of character as a small town. The Bettenhausen Racing Family calls Tinley home and has made quite a bit of investment into the area. Great restaurants and bars line Oak Park Ave and school dist 230 is one of the top in IL.

[jettsetter]

Originally Posted by NSH

Areas around Olympia Fields can be sketchy, there are a couple pockets of prosperity including Olympia fields and Homewood/Flossmore.

Tinley Park would be my highest recommendation for you as it is only about 15 min west of Olympia Fields and has a lot of character as a small town. The Bettenhausen Racing Family calls Tinley home and has made quite a bit of investment into the area. Great restaurants and bars line Oak Park Ave and school dist 230 is one of the top in IL.

I wouldn't say that Tinley Park is small, actually it is quite big. It is probably as big as the entire Homewood/Flossmoor/Olympia Fields area. And the only character it does have is Oak Park Ave. The rest of it looks like Anytown USA, with its big shopping malls, big box stores, and big subdivisions. It is still a nice town none the less. H/F and Olympia Fields have a very established look but is more diverse and very tight nit. I would recommend staying in the area. I have family that stay in Flossmoor and understand that H/F school district is still one of the best out that way. Both the Tinley and Olympia Fields areas are nice, Tinley is a bit more commercial and Olympia is more residential. I really can't help in terms of housing prices. Housing is very diverse in Tinley, somewhat in Olympia Fields. H/F, Olympia Fields reatains a lot of older money and has older homes and taxes are very high. Tinley has many upscale subdivisions but many inexpensive neighborhoods also. You might want to look at possibly Frankfurt and Matteson which are in the same vincinity!

[gigi927]

Matteson has become VERY sketchy in parts (lived there growing up for 15 years). I would stay away. Parts of Frankfort are nice and I know that Lockport has really grown also. If you can find the right pocket of homes, there are areas of Homewood-Flossmoor and Olympia Fields that are gorgeous, old school style midwestern homes.

[lilysmama]

I would consider moving a little more south around the Manteno area which is about 10-15 minutes away from the university park train station. The Manteno area is very clean middle to upper middle class area. A 1-2 bedroom apartment on average ranges from 525.00 to 700.00 per month and some include utilities. Everything around that area is very convenient.

[prairiestate]

Homewood is the best place to be. Very affordable (for Chicago at least), beautiful, quaint town, lots of new big box shopping along Halsted, very good schools, and less then 10 minutes from Olympia Fields. You also have the Metra Electric in town to get you to Chicago fairly quickly and easily.

[CBexp.]

Having been transfered around the Chicago area , Bourbonnais to Oak Park , I bought a great home in Homewood. The schools are second to none, the park district just won a another national award, there is shopping, restaurants, and a great overall town feel, with lots of parks. Flossmoor is a great partner to Homewood, and both are outstanding places to live.

[kellykat60409]

my brother used to work in Mokena which is right next to Frankfort(sp) thos are nice areas but can be a bit pricy. they are right by 180 so you can connect to other highways from there.

[jon62781]

What about apartments?? I'm lookin' for apartments in the Orland area, but having a hard time. Only found about 4 communities.

Any suggestions?

[prairiestate]

Try next door in Tinley Park for a bigger selection. Also, check the local paper for listings www.dailysouthtown.com