any suburb with a nice downtown? (Chicago, Naperville: apartments, condos, homes)

[Angorlee]

A nice downtown in a nice suburb that isn't too expensive yet is safe. I know thats asking for all but is there any burb that comes close to that?

[BigLake]

Too many to mention, but a start-- Evanston, Oak Park, Park Ridge, Arlington Heights, Highland Park come immediately to mind

[SloopyJ]

This topic was discussed recently, so you might want to do a search. But one thing I mentioned on the earlier thread that's worth repeating is that the Tribune did a quick feature on the Top 10 suburban downtowns a couple years ago (nobody could find it when we tried to search; I think that's because it was a feature in the "At Play" section and not a real "article"). In any case, I believe the 10 they mentioned were Evanston, Oak Park, Naperville, Highland Park, Hinsdale, La Grange, Park Ridge, Tinley Park, Homewood/Flossmoor, and I think St. Charles. All are safe. In terms of affordability, my general opinion of that group is:

Very Expensive: Hinsdale
Expensive: Highland Park, Evanston, La Grange, Naperville, Park Ridge, Oak Park
Moderate: St. Charles, Tinley Park, H/F

This is pretty general though - there's a lot of overlap as you could certainly spend a lot of money in any of the "moderate" towns, and some areas of the "Expensive" towns can be affordable. Also, many of these downtowns have apartments and condos that are much more affordable than single-family homes in those 'burbs.

[JanuaryGirl]

I agree, but I would move Highland Park into the VERY expensive category. Not a lot of small homes or fixer-upers there like you can still find in Oak Park and LaGrange. I would also add Downer's Grove to that list.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by DNaomi

I agree, but I would move Highland Park into the VERY expensive category. Not a lot of small homes or fixer-upers there like you can still find in Oak Park and LaGrange. I would also add Downer's Grove to that list.

I think La Grange is getting up to VERY expensive also. Unless you don't mind living next to the Soo Line railroad tracks.

[vandre]

I would throw Geneva into that list (about as expensive as St. Charles)

[acdevane]

Before responding, is it fair to ask what your interpretation of expensive is? Folks coming from the Europe find the US bargain basement, while states like Michigan find it astronomical. All in all, in terms of relativity Sloopj answers the question well...and yes I'd through Geneva into the mix also.

[tvlcompanygirl]

Also in there that I think is really nice is Western Springs. My aunt lived there and I loved it, even while growing up in Flossmoor. Western Springs seemed more "quaint" to me.

[long101]

I would throw schaumburg in their as well. I were to move out to the suburbs Schaumburg would prolly be my pick right now

[Spartanacus]

If you don't mind living just South of the WI border, Antioch has a nice little downtown and is safe. Although, Antioch probably should be considered part of the Milwaukee Area than the Chicagoland Area.

I love it though. The city and near city suburbs may be 'exciting' but I'll take my big yard with woods anyday over any the 'ammenities' a big city and it's surrounding areas may offer.