I need a Northwest Chicago Suburb expert! (Schaumburg, Des Plaines: apartment, rentals)

[Marcus3000]

Hi,

I need some good factual information about a move I am planning within a move. Here is my dilemma. Me and my wife’s job is in the schiller park area (Next to OHARE). We now currently stay in the Hyde Park Area. We love it in the Hyde park Area. We love being next to the lake and the diversity of the area. We have been reluctant to move at first because the apartment we got is a steal for the area and we know just got an increase in our pay.

We want to move close to our job. So we want to live anywere within 30 minute drive radius to O’HARE. Now what I did was go to the mapquest and wrote down some of the cities that I figured would be fine based on traffic only and the estimated time of commute from mapquest, but if you live in the area please tell me. Here are the areas I wrote down:

Bensenville, IL
Wood dale, IL
Elk Grove Village, IL
Schaumburg, IL
Villa Park, IL
Elmhurst, IL
Addison, IL
Park Ridge, IL

NOW, I don’t know anything about these areas! I just thought if I stayed there the commute to work would not be that bad. I really need some good, unbiased, honest feedback about where I should move in proximity to the schiller Park. I am not limited to what I listed. Also, I am looking for a rental price that is less than 950.00 a month for either a 1 or 2 bdrm. I know that there is crime everywhere but I don’t want to move somewhere were there are gangs. I have a son that is 1 year old and we would need daycare. So I want to find a area that is diverse for him. Please help!!! As I am not from Chicago and do not know the history of different areas.

[myrc60]

The only thing I can think of is to remind you that the closer you move to O'hare the louder the planes will be over your head. Many of the towns you listed will mean more noise than you may be used to in Hyde Park. Others will be able to answer your questions better than I; so come on boardies!

[nanannie]

My vote would be Elmhurst, less expensive is its neighbor Villa Park. Its a great town, easy metra to the city and close to O'hare. Great downtown and tons of shopping all around. I also like Park Ridge as its close to the city and also has an active downtown and nice old hoods. Not all of Elmhurst is "noisey" with plane noise.Dont know about Park Ridge. The others you mentioned are ok, but no charm, or nice downtowns and considerably less desirable areas. You will get more for your money in those towns t hough.

[nerfer]

Any reason you didn't include Des Plaines in the list? Either go straight down Mannheim or River Road. Also Lincolnwood I'm told is a safe place, not sure what the rents are.

[Chinolala]

Check out Elmwood Park. It's literally 15 minutes to O'Hare and about 25 in rush hour. It's about 10 minutes to Schiller Park. River Grove may be a good option too. A tad close to O'Hare than EP

[outtachicago]

If money were not an object, I'd look into Park Ridge or Elmhurst. Benenville and Wood Dale are too close to the airport. I worked in Bensenville for quite some time and would not live there, same with Wood Dale. Considering EGV myself, but a lot of homes do not have basements and there is no "downtown" or townlike feel. Same with Schaumburg. Don't know much about Villa Park or Addison. Sorry, I don't have any factual information, but there's my personal opinion.

[Marcus3000]

Thanks for all of your input... This is very good info. Keep it coming... I was kinda pulling toward Elmhurst and Bensenville.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Marcus3000

Bensenville, IL
Wood dale, IL
Elk Grove Village, IL
Schaumburg, IL
Villa Park, IL
Elmhurst, IL
Addison, IL
Park Ridge, IL

Also, I am looking for a rental price that is less than 950.00 a month for either a 1 or 2 bdrm. I know that there is crime everywhere but I don’t want to move somewhere were there are gangs. I have a son that is 1 year old and we would need daycare.

It may be impossible to find a decent place for $950/month in Park Ridge or Elmhurst (although I like those towns a lot). I don't think you could even find a decent place in Schaumburg at that price (unless you look on the far west side by Hoffman Estates in a somewhat seedy area). I'm not a fan of the Bensenville/WoodDale areas or being that close to the airport. I do not know much about Villa Park or Addison.

So... that leaves us with Elk Grove Village. I think it has potential. It is more affordable, a good location for you, and has lots of amentities for your 1 yr old (good park district w/carousel, water park, lots of parks, etc.). I'd explore this town more.

[outtachicago]

Sorry, somehow I missed the $950 part. I was up past my bedtime last night

I would stay away from Bensenville, seriously. Elk Grove & Schaumburg has nice rentals as stated above.
Have you thought about Roselle or Itasca? Those are nice burbs, close to the airport but not close enough where you'll hear the noise.

[Marcus3000]

Originally Posted by outtachicago

Sorry, somehow I missed the $950 part. I was up past my bedtime last night

I would stay away from Bensenville, seriously. Elk Grove & Schaumburg has nice rentals as stated above.
Have you thought about Roselle or Itasca? Those are nice burbs, close to the airport but not close enough where you'll hear the noise.

I will looked into Roselle and Itasca. Those are possibilities
I was not limited to just what was on the list.