Burr Ridge For Work...Where Should I Move? (Chicago, Naperville: apartments, to rent)

[zenzeronero]

I just had a job offer from a company that will soon be moving to Burr Ridge. Can anyone tell me about the area? I'm female and in my early 30s...where would be a good, fun, dynamic place to live that isn't too far away? From what I read, it looks like the best places to live are in the northern part of the Chicago area...would you consider the commute to Burr Ridge practical?

Also, what can you tell me about Lake Forest? If you had to divide your time between both Lake Forest and Burr Ridge for work, where would a "SWF" that is actually looking to date want to rent? I don't mind being in the burbs, as long as it isn't too far out...but really, I'm looking for an area where there will be lots to do and where other single professionals live.

Thanks so much for your opinions/suggestions!

[ahava]

By "northern part of the Chicago area" I'm assuming you mean Lincoln Park/Wrigleyville/Lakeview...commuting from there to Burr Ridge would be a nightmare. Burr Ridge and the areas around it are mostly residential, upper-middle class family neighborhoods. However, Oak Park is a nearby suburb with a sizable population of young professionals and a nightlife. It's also very close to Chicago - only a 20 minute train ride.

Lake Forest is a very wealthy area. I don't think there's much for young people to do there so I'm not sure why you're asking about it. The trip from Lake Forest to Burr Ridge would easily be over an hour during rush hour, closer to 45 minutes with light traffic.

[zenzeronero]

Hi there...Thank you so much for your suggestions! It is really difficult to know where you should be looking when you are unfamiliar with the area and its neighborhoods. It's great to be able to consult someone who knows what they are talking about.

I had asked about Lake Forest because it is where the company is presently located...it will be moving to Burr Ridge this year. So, for a while, it would entail working out of both offices.

If you have any other suggestions, given the dual-office issue...please let me know! In the meantime, I will look into Oak Park.

[ahava]

Commuting to Lake Forest will be hard but in the long run if you're going to be working in Burr Ridge it's better to live closer to there. If you did want to live near Lake Forest and move once the company does, Evanston is a great area for young professionals. It's the home of Northwestern University and there are tons of great shops, restaurants, and hangout places. Plus, the el provides convenient access to Chicago when you want something new. But keep in mind that the commute from there would be even worse than from Chicago.

[prairiestate]

Check out Countryside. Nice town, relatively affordable, and next to Burr Ridge. Easy commute to the city (outside of rush hour) on the Stevenson (i-55), or you can take Metra (commuter rail) from neighboring LaGrange

[oakparkdude]

I'd also recommend Oak Park or the neighboring town of Forest Park. Both towns are very walkable, have a relatively active night life, and rapid transit (el) access to Chicago. Madison St in FP has lots of new restaurants and bars opening all the time. OP's downtown area is getting an overhaul. We're getting an upscale health club, a trendy bar, and a Trader Joe's. Both have easy freeway access to Chicago (about 15 minutes to the loop in good traffic).

The commute from OP/FP to Lake Forest will be painful, but doable by taking the Eisenhower (I-290) to the Tri-state (I-294). Figure about an hour? Probably 30 minutes to Burr Ridge.

If you're looking at OP, I'd suggest looking for apts in the area confined by Harlem Ave, Oak Park Ave, Chicago Ave, and Madison St. There are lots of vintage apts in this area and you'll be able to walk to the downtown area. In FP, look around Madison St.

[jettsetter]

I don't see the point of being in Lake Forest, there are nice areas all around Burr Ridge. First, Lake Forest is too far. Second, it is a very mature and affluent neighborhood with no nightlife. Burr Ridge is also very ritzy (not on par with Lake Forest but is still considered to be one of the wealthiest west suburbs). It is right next door to Hinsdale and Oakbrook which are also very affluent. Chicago has nice suburbs all over the Northwest, West, Southwest, and pockets in the South lying areas. The North burbs are nice but they are the most mature and most expensive, but you could find a town with a good sense of community and high quality of life anywhere in the chicagoland area.
If you can't afford Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, or Oakbrook(they are quite expensive), I would definetly recommend Oak Park or Forest Park. The residents in these burbs make up a young professional class. I would also recommend looking at Western Springs, La Grange, and Brookfield which are all in the same vincinity and are similar to OP and FP. Your commute to Burr Ridge should be 20 minutes or less from anyone of these towns, and commutes to downtown Chicago should be around 25 to 30 minutes also.

[ahava]

Originally Posted by jettsetter

I would also recommend looking at Western Springs, La Grange, and Brookfield which are all in the same vincinity and are similar to OP and FP.

I live in Western Springs - there are primarily families and retired folks here. If I were 30 and single I'd be bored out of my mind :-) There are also very few apartments and townhomes.
La Grange is mostly the same but at least it has more apartments (a high-rise, even) and a vibrant downtown area.

[kbaer]

My job is moving from Lake Forest to Burr Ridge...I wonder if we work for the same company??? I'm looking at Naperville and Lisle.

In Lisle, there is a community called 4 Lakes off of Maple Avenue. There are condos, townhomes, and apartments available. It is filled with 25-35 year olds. There is a great bar within the community called, The Lodge. They always have live enterainment there and it gets crazy. In addition, there are two colleges nearby and downtown Naperville is a five minute drive down Maple Avenue (heading west). Downtown Naperville is filled with nightlife. There are some restaurants and bars that are in Chicago that are also located in Naperville. Also, heading east on Maple Avenue for about five minutes is I-355. Maple Avenue is an exit off of I-355.

[V. M. Nieves]

Can you please tell me what the name of this company is? I live in Burr Ridge and I also lived in Forest Part for a long time. Forest Part has a terrific night life - and it is close to all types of transportation - bus, train, and expressways. In Forest Park you would be 20 minutes away from downtown or Lincoln Park - other good areas to meet people.

Hope this helps.