Moving to Chicago from NJ

[remus]

Originally Posted by Pete MUFC

Thanks Remus.
So are you saying that traffic is worse than in NJ?
How did you like the chicagoland and life there comparing to NJ?
What areas (suburbs) will you recommend to me?

Hi Pete:

I went to graduate school in Rutgers and did not have a life :-D, except football game.

I think where you want to live pretty much depends on where your wife will be working, since you works in downtown and don't mind taking the train. That's why I suggested renting for a while until everything settled.

For a starting point you want to go to www.metrarail.com and look at their train schedules and maps, find a list of stations that works with your working schedule, and then select places around those stations.

Note that the BNSF train line has the most frequent express trains. It is also the most utilized train line where parking in the station will be a problem (Naperville being the worst). So if you pick towns near those stations, be sure the live within walking or biking distance. There should be plenty of condo or apartment for rent near those stations.

[scoop89]

Click below for Merta schedules. That may help you choose.



Chicago Metra Train Routes and Schedules

[chiboy7]

Andersonville. Old Town. Lincoln Park. Lincoln Square. Maybe Sauganash. Near south and west side. Gold Coast, Streeterville (If you can afford it). Or Skokie or Evanston

[Pete MUFC]

Hello, hello!
It's been a while since my last post here. Yes, I moved to Chicagoland and I am curently in Des Plaines for the last couple of months. I was looking for the condos and single family homes in the northwestern suburbs intensively last month or so.
At the end I decided to submit an offer for the house in Arlington Heights. And thanks everyone on the forum for the help. I read so many good things about AH, and yes I really liked it since my first time there.
Since house is not on a walking distance from Metra, it is located between the two stations in AH, the one in Downtown and the one in Arlington Park, I will have to drive to the station(s). Will there be enough parking spaces there? Which station will you recommend to use? If anyone parks there will you please let me know if there are enough spaces or they fill out fast like in some other locations?
In Des Plaines, the lot was ususally full, but there is an alternative parking in Metropolitan Square for the same price ($1.50) for 12 hours.
How about AH, any alternative there?
All your help is appreciated.

Thanks

[middle-aged mom]

Welcome to Arlington Heights.

There is ample offsite parking, available at the main station.

[Pete MUFC]

Originally Posted by middle-aged mom

Welcome to Arlington Heights.

There is ample offsite parking, available at the main station.

Thanks middle aged mom. Your input was and still is very helpfull for me. As the parking seems to be available at any time, there will be one problem less to worry about it.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Pete MUFC

Hello, hello!
It's been a while since my last post here. Yes, I moved to Chicagoland and I am curently in Des Plaines for the last couple of months. I was looking for the condos and single family homes in the northwestern suburbs intensively last month or so.
At the end I decided to submit an offer for the house in Arlington Heights. And thanks everyone on the forum for the help. I read so many good things about AH, and yes I really liked it since my first time there.
Since house is not on a walking distance from Metra, it is located between the two stations in AH, the one in Downtown and the one in Arlington Park, I will have to drive to the station(s). Will there be enough parking spaces there? Which station will you recommend to use? If anyone parks there will you please let me know if there are enough spaces or they fill out fast like in some other locations?
In Des Plaines, the lot was ususally full, but there is an alternative parking in Metropolitan Square for the same price ($1.50) for 12 hours.
How about AH, any alternative there?
All your help is appreciated.

Thanks

I always find the Arlington Park station to be less of a hassle. All parking is adjacent to the station. AH station parking gets full early, then you have what seems to be a longer walk from one of the village's parking garages.
Welcome to the "hood".

[Pete MUFC]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

I always find the Arlington Park station to be less of a hassle. All parking is adjacent to the station. AH station parking gets full early, then you have what seems to be a longer walk from one of the village's parking garages.
Welcome to the "hood".

Thanks so much!!!