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12-02-2008, 07:08 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
11 posts, read 5,904 times
Reputation: 13
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Now I need your help!
My wife and I are moving to Chicago in May09. Working at the ORD airport. I thought we had decided on Schaumburg but the more I read about the places like Mt Prospect, Arlington heights, Elmhurst and Hoffman Estates we not so sure.
I want a short commute to ORD because of the snow. My wife is not crazy about moving to a city and wants a townhouse in an upscale area with shopping close by. Groceries, bookstores, and Walmarts close. We have a budget of $2000month for rent. Now I need your help on deciding we to live! Thank you.
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12-02-2008, 07:11 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
11 posts, read 13,603 times
Reputation: 11
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Check Lombard, Elmhurst, Oak Park, Park Ridge, maybe even Glen Ellyn... great towns, and good shopping close by.
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12-02-2008, 07:28 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Elgin, IL
306 posts, read 158,070 times
Reputation: 84
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Upscale but with Walmart close. somehow that just cracks me up. Schaumburg is rather sprawling and large. Hoffman Estates is really pretty much the same as Schaumburg to me, the others you listed are a bit more compact and have downtowns. I haven't been to most of their downtowns recently, but AH has a nice one. Jen's suggestions are also good.
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12-02-2008, 07:28 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
11 posts, read 5,904 times
Reputation: 13
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Thanks. I never thought it would be this difficult to decide. We made a mistake moving to ATL and picking the wrong suburb. I doubt she could take 2-3 more moves.
The town we live in has a population of 30k and everything she needs. 30 minutes from ATL airport. I thought we could find something like that up north. Not easy to say what you want without sounding snobby. The best place to live for $2000 a month near ORD. You'd think it would be simple??
Thanks for the reply. I'll look now.
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12-02-2008, 08:43 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2007
3,488 posts, read 3,481,487 times
Reputation: 1452
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Elmhurst would fit the bill.  |
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12-02-2008, 09:23 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
111 posts, read 87,729 times
Reputation: 63
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Park Ridge--10 minutes from ORD, nice downtown, easy access to grocery, WalMart, Costco etc. I don't know much about town homes there, but I know that there have been a number of new condo developments built recently, and I'd imagine, given the real estate marker, the developers are renting units.
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12-02-2008, 10:21 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
6,157 posts, read 3,715,034 times
Reputation: 1700
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There is really far too much variety among the towns in the region to say one is "the best". If you want newer construction that is going to exist in pretty much every town, though much of it will be infill. If you want zoomy wide arterial streets lined with every sort of strip mall that is mostly west of the airport -- east there are plenty of places to shop too, but it will mostly be smaller places and traditional grocery / super markets.
Personally I think a lot of thought should be given to what you want to do while you are NOT at work. If you want to be able to walk to lots of things and/or take the commuter train into Chicago for its cultural offering that would give some towns the edge. If you are "drive everywhere" kind of person other towns would fit the bill.
If kids are not part of your plans that might give you more options, as some towns have weaker schools.
If access to Forest Preserves and other bicycle trails is a high priority that gives other towns an edge.
Lots to choose from, and realistically there are several dozen towns that are very easy to commute to ORD in even the worst weather.
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12-02-2008, 10:53 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
1,282 posts, read 777,768 times
Reputation: 333
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Quote:
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My wife and I are moving to Chicago in May09. Working at the ORD airport. I thought we had decided on Schaumburg but the more I read about the places like Mt Prospect,
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Nice town, downtown is rather sleepy.
More active downtown than Mt. Prospect, Metropolis theater, Excellent Public Library, good Park District.
Not familiar enough to comment.
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and Hoffman Estates we not so sure.
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No real downtown, not as easy to take Metra to Chicago, farthest drive to work.
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I want a short commute to ORD because of the snow. My wife is not crazy about moving to a city and wants a townhouse in an upscale area with shopping close by. Groceries, bookstores, and Walmarts close. We have a budget of $2000month for rent. Now I need your help on deciding we to live! Thank you.
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Have you been out to visit yet? What were your impressions of the towns you listed as far as +'s & -'s??
What do you and DW like to do when not working. As CHET mentioned this may tip the scale to one area vs. another.
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