Questions about La Grange, commuting... (Chicago, Orland Park: student loans, live, suite)

[Griffis]

Hello All. I searched the threads but had a couple of specific questions I would like to ask you good people in The Know.

I am going to be applying for a position in La Grange. It is like a great job, and I am perfectly suited to it, though I am sure there will be a great deal of competition for it.

At any rate, La Grange and most of the nearby 'burbs look as if they will be far too expensive for my means. I have a family of four and student loans to repay!

I am curious if anyone could recommend some more affordable areas within commuting distance from La Grange but further to the west.

I lived in Chicago for 2 years and loved it, but I would like to be more outside of it now that I have a family and like things a bit more subdued. I wouldn't want to commute more than 30 miles or so from the other side of La Grange. Perhaps take a train if possible. I don't know anything about the public transport outside of Chicago proper.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

[SloopyJ]

I personally think you'd have better luck going south, maybe to Willow Springs or further south to Orland Park or Tinley Park. Tinley in particular is seeing a lot of young families come in and the downtown is reflecting it. All of those 'burbs are a fairly easy drive up Mannheim/LaGrange Road.

[ahava]

I completely agree with the previous response but I wanted to add that if you do want to look west, the Downers Grove/Woodridge area is more affordable as well. Downers Grove is only a 20-minute train ride from La Grange.