Which suburbs are really "own little world" (Chicago: real estate, house)

[NYrules]

Orland Park on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon! As soon as you enter the town, you quickly would realize if you were on some sort of a planning commision that Orland Park is the poster child of "Don't let this happen to you!" Stores line both sides of all the roads, boasting some of the best shopping in the entire Chicagoland area, yet trying to get around the town proves to be a challenge. Mass transit is basically non-existant, stores are too far apart to walk to and the roads purley date back to the late 60s and early 70s at best, turn lanes are too short usually forcing traffic that is turning to overflow out into through lanes making just trying to get through a single signal nearly impossible without having to jut into other lanes to go around people that (and this is the BIGGEST aggravation in Orland) have absolutely NO idea what they are doing behind the wheel and have no business driving in heavy traffic. Right hand turn lanes for the most part are non-existant, and newly installed red light cameras are making everyone into nervous Nellies at intersections. Yes getting around this berg is purely misery/torture at it's best. Too much traffic, too many people, no freeways, outdated dangerous pothole filled roads, crumbling weed filled medians, yes its wonderful!

[Tex?Il?]

This is a great thread. I love those places in their own little world! All those places listed are the places I'm aiming to live in. Unfortunately right now, I'm living in a suburb that is on the opposite list

I do agree that Schaumburg and Orland Park are not really part of this group.

[Tex?Il?]

Honestly though, I think Crsytal Lake is a bit in its own little world. More so than the ones the OP listed.

[Mamama Mia]

After a drive to check out Fort Sheridan, I would say, it qualifies. Technically, it's part Highwood, part Highland Park.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by fairmarketvalue

Agreed (Schaumburg???)- The OP left out so many, it's overwhelming. Here are some more:

Wheaton (of course- and we, the residents, are accused all of the time of being in "our own little world"!)- and a beautiful campus of Wheaton College and great vibe in the downtown. Who can forget the historical "popcorn shop" full of happy children (and adults) picking their candy in a 4 ft. wide store? Still in the guiness book, to date.

Glen Ellyn
Downers Grove
Lisle
Hinsdale
La Grange
Western Springs
Claredon Hills

And so many more I am probably forgetting that would fit the original "in there own little world" criteria, compared to the ones the OP listed.

you're right. i wasn't very clear. I included schaumburg for its ability to create a true edge city in suburbia unlike anything else we have in chicagoland. of course, as I noted, in doing so, it is almost the opposite of most of my criteria since its edge city status serves to attach it to its surroundings more than separate it from them.

[edsg25]

In a strange way...Glenview. Very unique in that it had a doughnut hole (Glenview NAS) in the middle of a very old, established suburb, and that that hole has been filled, right smack in the middle of town, by a whole new city center that is the Glen. Sure, the Glen is often at odds with the rest of Glenview, but the arrangement is unique to say the least.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by middle-aged mom

Oh my, yes.....

The funny thing is many people that grew up in Chicago,the Chicago area, and even the north burbs around Golf do not even know about Golf. I also would say only a very small handful of transplants know about Golf.

I think the people of Golf like it that way.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Honestly though, I think Crsytal Lake is a bit in its own little world. More so than the ones the OP listed.

That's because it's really pretty far from Chicago. It's sort of an ex-urb/small town hybrid.

[NearWestSider]

I would definitely add Willow Springs to that list.

It is about as isolated and dissimilar from surrounding suburbia as it gets, given its location in the heart of the Forest Preserve district.

It is also one of the few hilly areas of Northern Illinois, and is also sandwiched between the Cal Sag and MSS canals, with the I & M canal forming its southern border.

And while you are at it, you could also toss in the historic districts of the former river towns of Lockport and Lemont.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

The funny thing is many people that grew up in Chicago,the Chicago area, and even the north burbs around Golf do not even know about Golf. I also would say only a very small handful of transplants know about Golf.

I think the people of Golf like it that way.

Knowing Golf in virtually impossible...unless you know Golf.

You could easily stand on the corner of Waukegan and Golf and not even know that it is there. It's weird but the only place Golf is truly noticeable to the general public is on Metra's Milw-N. Golf feeds into Glenview schools and even Glenviewers don't know it is there.