Professional African American family seeking diverse community (Chicago, Naperville: rent, attorney)

[oldhousegirl]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

Not about this post specifically, which I like, but why does everyone seem to take these damn school report cards like their the gospel. Seriously, if a school is half full of Einsteins and half idiots and thus has average test scores, if you enter as a very smart student with involved parents do you just automatically become average..

Not saying that school report cards aren't useful to consult, but people seem to go way overboard.

Good point. One that I agree with. What the school report cards did for me was to allow me to see if the majority of the kids did well, particularly the "minorities". I'd rather have my kid around a majority of similiarly performing high achieving kids than the other way around.

Of course, it is the parent's responsibilty to make sure their child is educated, and educated well. I know my son would do well academically in most SAFE H.S. settings. But I'd rather have him around like minded kids and parents.

[bulldawg1594]

im tellin you west aurora

[marion10]

Don't rule out River Forest- it's not as diverse as Oak Park, but there are a number of black professionals there.

[TempesT68]

Originally Posted by marion10

Don't rule out River Forest- it's not as diverse as Oak Park, but there are a number of black professionals there.

River forest is good as well, also check out forest park and oak park as mentioned. All would be great choices.

[otters21]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Don't know your geographic requirements, but Oak Park and Evanston are the traditional favorites for diverse communities without white flighters.

Ditto.

[mas23]

Originally Posted by thankful1

I am an African American attorney (my husband is also a professional) with two young boys. We live in a nice home we built approx. 7 years ago in the south suburbs before we had children. We now want to live in a more culturally diverse suburban community where our children will grow with children from other races and ethnicities. Additionally, our $10k+ annually in property taxes does not seem justified given the mediocre performance of the local schools. We're looking to pay b/t $400-$450k for our new home. Needless to say, we want to live where we believe we will feel welcomed: after reading several posts here about white flight to Frankfort, Tinley Park, etc., I'm alarmed that these communities wouldn't be very welcoming. Of course I am prepared to be the minority in a new community, I just don't want to feel as if we don't belong. Any thoughts?

You cant go wrong with bolingbrook or woodridge. The high school in b.brook is sorta sketchy but theres still plenty of nice parts. Try darien or willowbrook too!

[gfd]

i encourage you to check out oak park/ very diverse/ great schools/ churches/ we have lovely condo near OPRF and green line - willing to rent give you an opportunity to get a feel for the community.

another African-American family

[Carantini]

brookfield

[Chicagoland60426]

Hmmmm, everybody say Oak Park. I'm going for Evanston on this one. Just because the downtown look better and right on the lake.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

Oak Park is the best bet. Otherwise try Olympia Field and even perhaps Matteson. What town did you build your house in?

Something we finally agree on. Olympia Fields is suppose to be the wealthiest over 50% black suburb in Chicagoland.