25F looking to move from NYC to Chicago suburbs, safe neighborhoods? (Arlington Heights: apartment, to rent)

[kimo82]

Hi everyone,
I am a single mid20s female looking to relocate to a Chicago suburb from NYC. I'm looking to buy a 2 bedroom condo in a Chicago suburb near a Metra. My budget is $100K-$150K, but really I am looking for a safe, safe, safe neighborhood for someone my age. I don't mind a family environment and I prefer NOT to be right next to clubby bars or popular teen hangouts.

I've been looking at Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Palatine, etc. I'd prefer to be closer to O'Hare Airport, and I would probably be working in downtown Chicago. Are there some suburbs that I am overlooking and should consider?

Any tips on finding a good condo in the suburbs?

Thanks to everyone in advance for your help/opinions/suggestions.

[gaadou]

Hi,

I lived in Des Plaines and Mount Prospect my whole life, and can honestly say they are both a good choice for where you want to look. NW highway runs alongside the big Metra line across the NW Suburbs into Chicago through all the various downtown suburban areas, which have all become much nicer than they use to be. Lots of good restaurants, bars, bookstores etc, and you don't even have to go into the city. I's day look in Mount Prospect especially, as brand new condos are generally between $220,000-$300,000 max (I live in one of them so I should know). Plus they are generally all within a half mile walk of the metra lines. Arlington Heights is good as well. Des Plaines is a little more run down (not quite as much as it use to be however when I was growing up). Hope that helps. Please message me if any other questions.

[kimo82]

Thanks for the input! I have been around the Des Plaines area, especially on the border of Mount Prospect and it seems to be really clean and safe, but then five minute drive down, it would start looking kind of dumpy, so I am really unsure where to start looking. But the ones you named seem all-around safe, I'll start there.

Also - is your condo really fancy? I was even looking for those complex units that may not have the security guards, etc.

THX

[JMP5779]

I grew up in the southwest suburbs, somewhat closer to Midway Airport(which is also quite big) I would check into Plainfield, Orland Park(about 1 hr form downdtown) or I grew up about a 1/2 hr form downtown in Bridgeview. Towns around there are Justice, Hickory Hills, Palos Hills, Burbank, LaGrange. All great, safe towns that I would raise my kids in. The last few towns may be closer to your price range. In Bridgeview 2 yrs ago we sold our 2bed 1 bth condo for 118,000. Also great transportation to downtown. I-55 takes you right into the city. The train is also very close. Good luck to you. Hope I helped.

[Paxtonian]

River Grove would meet your needs and budget. It's on a Metra train line TOO.

[j33]

May I ask why you want to move to the suburbs? Seriously, I can't imagine why a 25 year old single person would want to live in the 'burbs. There are plenty of good neighborhoods in the city that are not East Village or Williamsburg

Is it just because a condo in the city for the price you are looking for doesnt' exist that you are heading further out?

[bklyngrl]

I agree with the last post, not quite sure why you want to go straight to the burbs. We moved from Brooklyn (Park Slope) about 18 months ago and I'd consider alot of Chicago proper to be very suburban feeling and residential compared to NY. I know when we first moved out here we were ready to leave the city life completely but were glad we moved into the city first, I think it would have been complete culture shock if we moved to the suburbs. Of course it's your decision and your money so you may be excited by the fact that you can actually get into the housing market in Chicago, but I'm speculating and making a big assumption based on our initial feelings. You may want to rent for a short period of time to see what area you like before investing.

[kimo82]

Hi,
Thanks again for the input, everyone!

Yeah I know it sounds odd for a girl my age to want to live in the 'burbs, but I guess that's just what I'm accustomed to. I lived in Queens (Forest Hills) my whole life but went to high school in Manhattan, (college in Boston) and I work now in Manhattan. I don't mind working in a city, and being in it, but living in it? Not the first thing I think of. I don't mind living in a quieter area about an hour from the city. I'm used to commuting, so that's not an issue.

Budget is definitely something I consider since I want to buy, not rent. I have friends who live in Wrigleyville and while it's nice, I feel like I would prefer more space in the suburbs than a small apartment in the city. Unless you guys can recommend some safe neighborhoods in the city that isn't an arm and a leg?

I'd be happy to look all over the place... This forum is really helpful.

[prairiestate]

I'm 30, and live in an inner suburb of Chicago. It's perfect for me, because I couldn't deal with the congestion of the city on a daily basis, but I like to visit regularly. Check out Oak Lawn, in the southwest suburbs. Lots of condos in your price range, well developed community, plenty of younger people, new mid rise condos in the town center, lots of new shopping and dining opportunities. There's a Metra line, though it's weekdays only. You'll also be close to the Orange Line (the EL), and another Metra line for service at off hours. The EL runs every 10-15 minutes, until late at night (1:00 am-ish) 7 days a week, so it's certainly more convenient than Metra. Also, the Beverly Arts Center is nearby, which showcases all kinds of visual and performing arts.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by kimo82

Hi,
Thanks again for the input, everyone!

Yeah I know it sounds odd for a girl my age to want to live in the 'burbs, but I guess that's just what I'm accustomed to. I lived in Queens (Forest Hills) my whole life but went to high school in Manhattan, (college in Boston) and I work now in Manhattan. I don't mind working in a city, and being in it, but living in it? Not the first thing I think of. I don't mind living in a quieter area about an hour from the city. I'm used to commuting, so that's not an issue.

Budget is definitely something I consider since I want to buy, not rent. I have friends who live in Wrigleyville and while it's nice, I feel like I would prefer more space in the suburbs than a small apartment in the city. Unless you guys can recommend some safe neighborhoods in the city that isn't an arm and a leg?

I'd be happy to look all over the place... This forum is really helpful.

I'm familiar with the Forest Hills area of Queens. Nice area. As far as Chicago suburbs go, Berwyn, Oak Park and Forest Park come closest to replicating it. Berwyn has a lot of nice 1920s homes and apartment buildings, a lot of young professionals moving in, and the Metra runs right through it. It only takes 18 minutes to get to the Loop and feels more like a Chicago neighborhood than a suburb, but it's still safe. The same can be said for Forest Park and Oak Park but they're a bit more expensive.

The other 'burbs mentioned are nice but are much more "suburban" than what you may be used to. One of the three I mentioned may offer you the best mix of urban/suburban.