south suburbs? (Chicago, Naperville, Oak Lawn: condos, crime, how much)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by pfull

Some of your responses about the "black" south suburbs of Chicago are just too much. It's true that stories can be passed down by generations in poor areas such as Midlothian and previously Crestwood (before the new mall)- just to make one feel better than the other. To tell you the truth, because of bussing, all the neighboring towns go to the same schools- by the way...who makes up the values of property anyways? white men!!!! why should they lower their own homes values-

These are the facts: there is a high correlation between majority-black communities and the quality of life and/or crime rates in those communities. It is not a hard-fast rule and there are some exceptions but it is generally true. That will not change until people are no longer afraid to confront this easily observable reality that stares us right in the face even as we pretend it doesn't. Calling people racists whenever they point it out is not going to help.

[jettsetter]

Originally Posted by Drover

Maybe I'm ignorant on the subject, but I didn't know Matteson was ever in need of reviving. It seemed to me that middle- and upper-middle-class whites were being replaced with middle- and upper-middle-class blacks and that the quality of the town itself never really went anywhere. Thoughts?

Let me make a clarification, the quality of the neighborhoods didn't go down per se but when alot of the whites left they packed up their businesses with them and left certain areas abandon espeacially around the Lincoln Highway corridor. At a certain point down the road there was an influx of upwardly mobile families moving into the area which caused parts of the city to expand westward where a lot of upscale subdivisons were being built. Now to keep these middle class families in the area they had to attract more businesses to the cities commerical area that for the most part had been left vacant. Now they are building more "big name" stores in the area because of the many families that are up the economic latter in the area. Take for instance Lincoln Mall, which was pretty much vacant is supposed to get Nordstroms to become an anchor. Thats what I meant by the city being revitalized.

[Drover]

Thanks for your response. That gives me a better understanding.

[dwn2earth]

I currently and unfortunately live in Dolton, and would not recommend this area to anyone. As previously mentioned, the suburbs of Tinley Park, Orland Park, Homewood, Flossmoor, and Palos Heights are very good suburbs to move to. I will be moving to Homewood or Tinley Park this year to escape the utter madness and decline of Dolton. Do all of your research, especially crime statistics, and weigh your options. Good luck.

[Dingo Junction]

On another note.......Mostly white communities are not always paradises either.White neighborhoods can have their own set of troubles too.IMO any working class neighborhood regarless of race will have it's setbacks.

[isevilla]

Originally Posted by sachamay

hi,

i live in bridgeview for 3 years and to me it is one of the best south suburbs. the houses are cheaper, the taxes are cheaper, and your kids will go to very good schools. shopping is very close and convenient. there is a lot of diversity. all kind of races. and it is safe there.

good luck

i lived in bridgeview, Il for over 6 years and it was the best 6 years of my life. The houses arent really cheaper but they are well worth it considering the kind of house you will get, the area, the schools, the park district, etc. There is a high population of Arabian people but we never had any problems with them. Its also an upper middle class area and you wont be dissapointed.

[bobsmith319]

Hi, you are right about that, some subarbs can change qucikly. Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Palos Hills, and Oak Lawn would be good places to check out. They have low crime rates, and good schools.

[JALP]

I am a lurker, but couldn't sit by and not give my 2 cents on my suburbs.

I have lived in the Chicago southwest suburbs for my entire life (40 yrs). I grew up in Orland Park, lived in Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, New Lenox and Frankfort. At this time depending on your income here are my recommendations all within 50 miles of the loop:

Lower cost suburbs: Palos Hills, Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn, Matteson, Crestwood. Homes can be found in the mid - upper $200s.

Mid cost suburbs: Orland Park, Tinley Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest. Some higher cost ($700k and up) homes but nice homes can be found in the low $300s

Higher cost suburbs: New Lenox, Mokena, Flossmoor, Frankfort, Olympia Fields, Palos Park, Palos Heights. Homes in these communities are more expensive; some older homes available in the mid 300's new homes ranging from the $400s to over a million.

Farther south and/or west - Peotone, Manhattan, Elwood, Shorewood, Channahon, Morris, Minooka are all very nice communities.

I will add that contrary to the other posts most communities in the southwest suburbs have some integration and our communities welcome it. There was many, many years ago the hype about integration (think the '60s) and there was quickly 'changing' neighborhoods as a result. It is unfair to paint all of the so. burbs are racially divided - it is simply not true.

Every community listed above has good schools, quality recreation available (Orland has a beautiful water park/pool for residents), parks, great libraries, etc.

Good Luck!

[AnnieLeigh]

You might also want to check out the Metra Rock Island line if you plan on going downtown at all. There are great suburbs near those lines. If you have kids be sure to check out the school districts. I live in a historic suburb in a beautiful house and the neighborhood is going through good changes but I don't have kids. so I'm not worried about that.

I like Palos Heights (but pricey), Tinley Park is nice and near Orland Park but Orland is a huge shopping district and is very congested with lots of McMansion developments. Frankfort is a beautiful combination of historic and new suburban development. The downtown is adorable and has good eats but can be very PRICEY.

Good luck and welcome whatever you choose!

[kellykat60409]

i live in Calumet city and this city is crap. but then right next to it you have south holland which is a little better. it is hard to say with the south suburbs but the citys to stay out of would be
harvey
riverdale
markem
chicago hieght
ford city

those citys you do not want to go near at all becuase they have high crime rates and high gang actcivty