Conservative suburbs

[promis1]

SouthernMom3 , thank you for this delightful information. Really does sound like paradise down there.

[EPteacher]

I happen to be a tenured school teacher in Elmwood Park (and resides close to EP) who was raised in Itasca and went to Elmhurst College--if that doesn't cover all bases of your question, I don't know what does!

I, too, am socially conservative (and I'm a dem!)...and I think I have finally figured out what is important to me in terms of a community and raising children. It's just my humble opinion, please keep that in mind...

Elmwood Park--is a mostly blue collar community with many immigrants (and I don't judge immigrants, as I am a PRODUCT of eastern euro immigrants). I find that these hardworking people are producing some great kids with real values. However, it is a community that is set in its ways (long line of political crap) and, to me, can be very small and narrow minded. In terms of housing--as much as I love city bungalows and English Tudors, I'm baffled at the amount of houses that are simply not taken care of the right way. I live just a few blocks north of EP (in Chicago) and I can't wait to leave. This is an okay community with good hearted people, but I think there are better places to raise a family.

Itasca--great schools, super clean town, nice people. It lacks some urban culture and it is a little cookie cutter, but not even close to most suburbs. It still has a quaint "old-time", tiny downtown area. I think Itasca is very sweet and would easily raise a family there. It's a quiet place with very little urban influence.

Elmhurst--I think is a great mixture of old-school houses, old money, new money, great educational system, and mostly white collar families. I think that there are a lot of really snooty families, but I guess when you're a family of doctors, you have earned that right (sorta and to a limit). I personally am looking for a home in Elmhurst. I love that it's convenient to the city, but far away enough to feel suburban (unlike OakP and EP) and quiet.

I know nothing about Orland Park other than I once dated someone from there a million years ago and he was a jerk! ;-) hehehe.....
Oh and PERSONALLY...as much as I think OP is pretty and has great schools..it's just too far south of the city. I like to know that I can get downtown within 15-30 minutes.

[promis1]

Originally Posted by EPteacher

I happen to be a tenured school teacher in Elmwood Park (and resides close to EP) who was raised in Itasca and went to Elmhurst College--if that doesn't cover all bases of your question, I don't know what does!

I, too, am socially conservative (and I'm a dem!)...and I think I have finally figured out what is important to me in terms of a community and raising children. It's just my humble opinion, please keep that in mind...

Elmwood Park--is a mostly blue collar community with many immigrants (and I don't judge immigrants, as I am a PRODUCT of eastern euro immigrants). I find that these hardworking people are producing some great kids with real values. However, it is a community that is set in its ways (long line of political crap) and, to me, can be very small and narrow minded. In terms of housing--as much as I love city bungalows and English Tudors, I'm baffled at the amount of houses that are simply not taken care of the right way. I live just a few blocks north of EP (in Chicago) and I can't wait to leave. This is an okay community with good hearted people, but I think there are better places to raise a family.

Itasca--great schools, super clean town, nice people. It lacks some urban culture and it is a little cookie cutter, but not even close to most suburbs. It still has a quaint "old-time", tiny downtown area. I think Itasca is very sweet and would easily raise a family there. It's a quiet place with very little urban influence.

Elmhurst--I think is a great mixture of old-school houses, old money, new money, great educational system, and mostly white collar families. I think that there are a lot of really snooty families, but I guess when you're a family of doctors, you have earned that right (sorta and to a limit). I personally am looking for a home in Elmhurst. I love that it's convenient to the city, but far away enough to feel suburban (unlike OakP and EP) and quiet.

I know nothing about Orland Park other than I once dated someone from there a million years ago and he was a jerk! ;-) hehehe.....
Oh and PERSONALLY...as much as I think OP is pretty and has great schools..it's just too far south of the city. I like to know that I can get downtown within 15-30 minutes.

Thank you for the valuable insight. i currently live in Elmwood Park with my wife and 2 kids and have lived there my entire life. My son attends St. vincent ferrer and my litlle one is still too young for school. I am looking to move to Itasca or Elmhurst, so I can Take advantage of the public schools. My wife really loves Elmhurst for the same reason that you stated- its perfect location. Do you think Elmwood park will get worse or stabilize based on your experience there?

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by nanannie

Wait, let me get this straight-you didnt move to the North Shore, a beautiful desired area with great schools because you thought it wasnt ''conservative'' ? You moved to Hindsdale because you were told it was? This is your criteria? Do you really think that a town is all one way? Are you afraid of what ? Scarey democrats will influence your kids? Talk about generalizations,holy smokes. Another generalization is all Southerners are red necks who chew ''tobacky'' and drive pick ups.

Thar' pick em' up trucks... Git er straight.