Where are the best suburbs to live outside chicago? (Naperville: skateboarding, sex offenders)

[llama214]

Before you make your decision to move to that area, I would seriously look south to the Bloomington-Normal area. The city, as well as some of the Peoria suburbs, vastly outdo Chicagoland!! The areas that you mentioned are very, nice, but anything outside of that is plain and just commercial. Granted, the geography is nothing like that area, but I find the change in crops a sure sign that the American spririt is alive and well right here in central Illinois. If you aren't familiar with B/N then let me tell you a little about the area. It was ranked as one of the best places to live by money mag. as well as others. It is centered in Mclean County, which is the biggest(but by no means most populated) county in the state. Which translates to lots of open space!! Somthing others on this forum know nothing of. The county, and metro area in general, do make up one of the fastest growing areas in the state, but when living here you really wouldn't believe it if someone told you to your face. When I heard that on the radio I thought I was daydreaming. Although growth is everywhere, there is just somthing about going outside the city and seeing nothing but the good green earth that makes you seem like you and your neighbors are just alone in the world. You mentioned education so I'll talk about that, but whether it is super fast commutes or everything in shopping B/N is the safe, FAR less cluttered place to do it.
Education
WOW!!! It is really hard to find a place to start when it comes to this, but there is a reason people are leaving the north by "flocks" and coming here, and it isn't the great and spacious scenery. lol. Superior education, both primary and secoundary, are in the heart and soul of the town. Unit 5, in Normal, is by far the leading school district, and maybe the best district in the state! But for us in the district we really don't shell out that much money to have our kids go their. B/N has a deep rooted history with Illinois education, and is still making leaps and bounds when it comes to the best. U-High(one of the main highschools) is AMAZING!! It is right on ISU's campus and lets the kids feel the college vibe even as freshmen. It used to be where the ISU prof kids went to school, but now others go their as well. The other schools, Normal Community, and Normal West(just a few years old) are nothing sort of the best either!! Their are several private schools as well, but I really wouldn't even look into them unless your religion requires it. In our case, I think public wins hands down. The grade and middle/Jr. schools are amazing too, and most are new and have small class sizes. The highschools aren't more then a thousand students either when I last checked. You should prob check me on these statistics, because I know how important education is to me, and you sound like you do too. But living here I know the area really well. While Bloomington High School is more mediocre and suburban like, it is nice. I live in Bloomington, but my kids go to Unit 5. Just look into which street goes where.

If it is secoundary you are looking into then B/N is the place to be again. While ISU is about half the size as U of I, it holds it's own. The main reason we have such amazing schools for our kids is because of this school. It is by far one of the best colleges for up and coming teachers in the fifty states. Anybody that wants to work for a school district in any capacity, and has ISU on their resume, they are almost a sure shot!! Many people think that college town=party town, but that is simply not true here. While the student's aren't angels, it isn't SIUC either. The town has made great strides to make sure that, while the capus is central, it can be avoided when commuting. In fact, if I didn't see Waterson Towers in the distance everyday, you might not know it was there. They keep the town young and give it some youth. Because the campus is in Normal, it lowers the per capita income, which overall is far higher without the campus. In Bloomington is Illinois Weslyen. Like all of it's sister schools it really carries a sense of pride and dignity for itself. There is a brand new, state of the art library, that really helps the area around it when it comes to eye appeal, and it is just all around impressive. Don't worry, there is no competition in these two college towns, right
While I could go on and on, B/N is just better then burbs. It really is! You don't feel like you are in packed in, and their is breathing room. Almost all of my neighbors are from there, and are so gald to be out. I don't know how many tell me they feel like B/N is just like where they were living, but more fun and EASY. They have started calling themselves the "enlightened refugees". I just wouldn't fall for the whole thing. Start where you can invest in the future and live the good life.

[nanannie]

Certainly Evanston(largest) is the most diverse IMHO.But they are all nice communities and have good sports programs. I cant see you having a problam with bi-racial kids.I love the north shore suburbs.Welcome to the area!

[japaul777]

Sad... sad post from somebody who grew up in one of the challenged areas of Chicago........

[japaul777]

Originally Posted by dancocal

The best suburb would be around 1,000 miles outside of chicago.
The windy city really does blow !!!
Lousy traffic, compounded by some of the worst drivers outside of tijuana.
Crime is about the same as tijuana. Come to think about it....... like the
twilight zone man. Lived there 30 years, still a chicago sports fan, I think
they do something in the delivery room to make it stick. But like that commercial from the 70's - the indian with the tear in his eye looking at all
that garbage.......... perfect metaphor..



dan

Sad, sad post from somebody who grew up in a challenging area.....

[pmoracco]

Go west-southwest about 35 miles - you'll find excellent schools, homes, neighborhoods, and the commute will not be as bad as coming from the North or South. There is road construction all the time, but coming from those directions there is a long-term construction project going on now. The west-southwest is the area that is seeing tremendous growth - meaning there is still land there and property values will continue to increase (though this has slowed as it has everywhere). Lockport is a good place to investigate - close to interstates, metra, full range of homes (from the low 100's to over a million). Let me know if I can help you find a home!

[mdz]

don't know if the above poster has a hidden agenda or not, but if you're commuting to downtown from 35 miles southwest every day you're going to go insane. Or at least be very unhappy.

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by ondago

I am thinking about moving to the area and am looking at North - Wilmette, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Glencoe, Evanston. What I need to know is the truth about diversity on those areas. I have biracial children(black) and we want them not be in the extreme minority. By that I mean maybe one of three in the school! Of the nicer areas North, which ones have a nicer mix of minorities - even Asians, Indians, etc. Coming from California so I am used to different social setting. Also, as for the schools in those areas, what should we expect? Also, good sports programs?

You're not going to find much diversity in any of the suburbs you mention except for Evanston. While I don't believe you will feel discriminated against, you won't find a significant race mix. You'll find a handful of Asian, Indian, Black and Hispanic children, but not many. I live in this area and love it, but it's not diverse. I think in our elementary school of 300 students we have about two Indian, three hispanic, three Black, and three or four Asian children. You can go to the school report cards to get specific school diversity information of any IL public school. That link is http://iirc.niu.edu/

Having said that, I think the North shore is a great place to raise a family (with a few caveats). The sports programs are good, especially New Trier H.S. (which is comprised of Wilmette, Glencoe, Winnetka, Kenilworth). The extra-curricular activities at most of the North Shore schools are phenomenal. From athletics to arts, the opportunities are endless.

I don't know much about Northbrook, diversity-wise, but it has a good school system. It's very different than the other suburbs you mentioned. It's bigger and has more of a typical suburban feel than the suburbs along the Lake.

[byebye]

How about vernon hills?

Originally Posted by ondago

I am thinking about moving to the area and am looking at North - Wilmette, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Glencoe, Evanston. What I need to know is the truth about diversity on those areas. I have biracial children(black) and we want them not be in the extreme minority. By that I mean maybe one of three in the school! Of the nicer areas North, which ones have a nicer mix of minorities - even Asians, Indians, etc. Coming from California so I am used to different social setting. Also, as for the schools in those areas, what should we expect? Also, good sports programs?

[pmoracco]

Originally Posted by mdz

don't know if the above poster has a hidden agenda or not, but if you're commuting to downtown from 35 miles southwest every day you're going to go insane. Or at least be very unhappy.

no hidden agenda ... many people are moving from Chicago to the southwest suburbs and taking the metra - if not driving. By the way, it's the fastest growing area. These people are making these moves for some good reasons. Based on conversations with those on all sides of the city, I'm not sure there is a pleasant commute from any direction.

[bailey2227]

THANK YOU! You guys are all awesome. I have been reading all your posts and sitting back for awhile to get a vibe for what is really happening. It seems to me people have mixed feelings between living in the city, HENCE CHICAGO! Which if you are going to do that, the north shore sounds like a safe bet, and then if you want something more suburbs wise it sounds to me like Naperville has everything beat. Money Magazine has Naperville ranked #2of places to live in this country. I think enough said right there. My question for you guys is this, there is a train that will take you from Naperville to downtown Chicago correct? I've talked to people who say getting from Naperville to Downtown you have to pass thru alot of bad areas, does that cause any problems on the train? How long does it really take to get to downtown from Naperville? You talk about the high cost of living, but doesn't that make up with the higher pay you are getting working in Chicago. I know right now I live in Cleveland, Ohio and it is an absolute ghost town. There are no jobs, and the one's there are, are basically a joke. So, thanks for everyone's help and I will continue to read and post.

Oh, and if you are wondering what I do, I work as a Court Reporter. My wife work's as a radiology technologist. Are there any major hospitals in Naperville? Just out of curiousity what is the cost of parking everyone talks about in the downtown area? If you were to drive from Naperville to downtown, how long would it take you on a typical day to get to and from work? I've looked into real estate in Naperville, and I think it is very reasonable. I think you pay for excellent schools, nice housing, and just an overall safe community. I live in a highly rated community/suburb right now. Taxes are higher, cost of living is higher, and I believe it is well worth it. Anyway, please continue replying.