Suburbs with Significant Middle-Class Hispanic Presence (Chicago, Aurora: apartment, condo, new home)

[jma019]

We are considering a move to the Chicago area and are looking for a middle class suburb near a Metra route that is known to be accommodating to Hispanic families. We are are a professional couple and are not necessarily looking for an area that is predominantly Hispanic, but one that is quiet and safe with good schools yet has a significant or growing Hispanic professional presence where our children will not feel completely disconnected from their heritage. Our price range would be $375,000 or (preferably) lower for a three or four bedroom house. Advice on areas to avoid would also be welcome!

[cdrobert]

chicago is alot different interms of that demographic. Unlike places like texas and ca, the mexican population in chicago has not really been that large for many generations an inturn upward mobility hasnt really shown its face in. Id say youd need another good decade. There are how ever increasing mexicans families moving into single family dwellings in blue collar areas such as streamwood, rolling meadows, and hanover park, carpentersvill and elgin.

[prairiestate]

First, Chicago has the 2nd largest Mexican population in the country, after LA. There is a strong Hispanic presence across much of the metro area, and there are lot of suburbs that are significantly Hispanic.

Berwyn is the place you want to move to. You can buy a beautiful old bungalow in excellent condition in your price range. The population is about 1/2 Hispanic. There are Metra stations in town that will get you downtown in only about twenty minutes. Schools are decent, and there are several new school buildings. Generally speaking, you want to be careful in neighboring Cicero, especially on the northeast side of town. In Berwyn, the south side is better then the north. There are a lot of new businesses and condo developments going up in Berwyn. It's really developing into an almost trendy community.

[NSH]

Berwyn is an ok town, nothing wrong with it, you will only have to spend about $250K for a very nice place here, if you wanted something bigger, and better schools and parks for your kids, check out Des Plaines IL. Most homes are in the $400K range here but highly worth it.

[okokok]

Come check out rolling meadows...... you can walk to library, schools, sled hill, parks, pond, ice skating rink, ball parks,soccer feilds, stores, groc store, taco bell, Mc D's, subway, fourth of july parade with lots of candy, fireworks if you look for houses in the downtown core area......
low taxes.....

[outsider1]

Here are the suburbs with a strong and mostly positive Hispanic presence. It would make sense to take a thorough look at all of them before making a final decision:


These three fit your criteria the most:
- Wheeling
- Rolling Meadows
- Prospect Heights

Further north are
- Mundelein
- Woodstock
- Round Lake. Perhaps it's getting too far but you can still get a big new home for less than what you said you're ready to spend.

[tgoddess]

Berwyn just might just what you're looking for!

[jenrik2714]

Be careful,
Parts of Berwyn are very prejudice against Hispanics. I read an article showing in Berwyn they are going door to door targeting illegal apartment coversions and they are going after Mexicans. It is stupid to assume that only Mexicans are the only ones converting illegally. Get real. Be careful

I think you might like Aurora, IL on the DuPage portion. They feed into Naperville Schools and you can still go into downtown Aurora to the hispanic vendors (grocery stores, dress shops, etc). Not to mention, you would be close the Metra *Burlington Northern Santa Fe's Rt. 59 station

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by jenrik2714

Be careful,
Parts of Berwyn are very prejudice against Hispanics. I read an article showing in Berwyn they are going door to door targeting illegal apartment coversions and they are going after Mexicans. It is stupid to assume that only Mexicans are the only ones converting illegally. Get real. Be careful

I think you might like Aurora, IL on the DuPage portion. They feed into Naperville Schools and you can still go into downtown Aurora to the hispanic vendors (grocery stores, dress shops, etc). Not to mention, you would be close the Metra *Burlington Northern Santa Fe's Rt. 59 station

Link? I think the idea that a town which is 40-45% Latino is "very prejudiced against Hispanics" is the most ridiculous thing I have read in a very long time.

Berwyn is by a mile the most diverse and mixed town I've lived in -- including Oak Park and Chicago neighborhoods like Uptown and Logan Square. A refreshing change from homogonous all-white, all-Latino, all-Polish, etc. neighborhoods in Chicago and the surrounding area, and, especially, areas which say they're "diverse" but keep that diversity contained in one part of town so they don't have to actually live around it.

[prairiestate]

Berwyn was targeting illegal conversions, but it's absurd to think it has anything to do with discrimination. It has to do with the danger of 6 families living in the basement of a single family home, having all those cars parked on the street, all those kids going to school on one property tax bill. They're not going after anyone except people breaking the law and creating a danger and nuiscance for their neighbors. If those people are mostly Hispanic, it is what it is. Nobody is being targeted.