How are the west burbs in Chicago? (Naperville, Cicero: attorneys, elementary schools)

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by johnm68

True. However, I don't think Bucktown and Cicero are competing with one another from a demographic perspective. I never see Cicero truly gentrifying; however, I think it can become the stable working-class suburb it was in the past. Again, its location and housing stock are strong selling points. I could also see it becoming a popular location for Hispanic artists, musicians, etc--relatively inexpensive housing, great transportation, and proximity to the culture of the city might make it an attractive proposition for people in the arts.

Trouble with the working class today is that it is not affluent like it was 30-40 years ago. Cicero is working class folks, and that's what a working class suburb looks like in the 2000s. In effect, Cicero never changed, but the world did.

The money is now in the professional, white collar, educated classes. Any community which relies on or characterizes itself as solely "working class" is going to lag behind other suburbs/city neighborhoods in terms of education, commerce, and quality of life. Cicero will have to break out of that box somehow if it is going to have a bright future.

[johnm68]

Well, I don't think Cicero will ever be a haven for the professional, white collar, educated classes. There's too many other places for them to go. I understand what you're saying about the working class being less affluent today. I don't think the manufacturing jobs that used to employ a huge percentage of Cicero's residents are ever coming back, so from that perspective, I agree with you--the definition of "working class" has changed. However, it also seems to me that a significant minority of Cicero residents are, for lack of a better term, lower class--that is, they work menial jobs, they lack English language skills, and their limited education has prepared them for nothing else. This is the box that Cicero needs to break out of, and that will not happen without an improvement in schools and a resurgent economy.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by johnm68

Well, I don't think Cicero will ever be a haven for the professional, white collar, educated classes. There's too many other places for them to go. I understand what you're saying about the working class being less affluent today. I don't think the manufacturing jobs that used to employ a huge percentage of Cicero's residents are ever coming back, so from that perspective, I agree with you--the definition of "working class" has changed. However, it also seems to me that a significant minority of Cicero residents are, for lack of a better term, lower class--that is, they work menial jobs, they lack English language skills, and their limited education has prepared them for nothing else. This is the box that Cicero needs to break out of, and that will not happen without an improvement in schools and a resurgent economy.

Good points, but without the professional, white collar, educated classes, at least in some number, the improvement in schools and resurgent economy will be difficult to attain, due to the property tax funded educational system, as well as the overall value the professional class puts on education versus the lower classes. In Cicero's heyday, one without a college or even high school education could get a low skill job at Western Electric and pull in a good wage -- perhaps in the $60-80k range in today's dollars. Today? Multiply that by about 1/3, at best. And somehow I doubt that gap's going to close anytime soon.

[gardener34]

Lived in cicero for many years... liked it but definitely corrupt and I doubt it will ever change. But this person is thinking of renting.

I always thought of Cicero as the place where the current wave of immigrants start out when they get here... first the poles, then the italians, then the mexicans, who knows which immigrant group will be next? Then they move farther out as they move up the socioeconomic ladder.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by gardener34

Lived in cicero for many years... liked it but definitely corrupt and I doubt it will ever change. But this person is thinking of renting.

I always thought of Cicero as the place where the current wave of immigrants start out when they get here... first the poles, then the italians, then the mexicans, who knows which immigrant group will be next? Then they move farther out as they move up the socioeconomic ladder.

It was pretty linear like that last century but I think the current trend of affluent people moving back to major cities, coupled with high fuel prices, could turn this on its head during this century. It will be very interesting to see, that's for sure.

[hillnuthouse]

Chicago is a great city!
I relocated from Phoenix in 2000. We spent over a year looking at areas, comparing schools. I think I've seen more of Chicago-land then most natives. We rented in St. Charles. Nice area but $$$$$$ and most homes that aren't over $500k are on 1/4 acre at best. I wanted a bit of space between the houses (unlike Phoenix huh).

Ended up in a little known town called Johnsburg. Great schools, all new homes must be on at least an acre. 10 minutes from metra train station get's downtown in an 90 min.

The best thing we enjoy is the community. Lots of parades, heavy parent involvement in schools and my kids can go out and play and I know they're safe. And get this, there's one of the last drive in theaters in IL. It's truly a family community. It's also much more affordable for what you get.

True story, I left my garage door open. In the morning I had a note from the Johnsburg PD saying they saw it open, checked to make sure everything was ok, and shut the door.

Oh, if you like boating, there's lot's a lakes in the area too.

Hope it helps!

[susan murrey]

Oak Park probably has the widest choices of housing options and has great diversity, racially and financially. Also, the schools are good and it's near the city.

[E'VILLE GRL78]

I WOULD NOT recommend Cicero. I have a friend who lives there, and she hates it! She says it is very low income, and just generally not a good place to live.

[acdevane]

Back to the OP. You mention family. By providing the number of members in your family and the ages of your children, that will help us to determine whether we are looking at good elementary / jr high / high schools in a given area. It will also help determine how many bedrooms would be required within your price range? Both important factors to consider in order to offer viable choices.

Additionally providing your place of work will allow us to point you in the right direction from a commute standpoint.

[cityofwheaton.info]

Wheaton is nice.