Is there a suburb with the look & feel of the NS but without the price? (Chicago: rent, condos)

[Steve-o]

Glen Ellyn is similar to some NS areas, and less expensive, but far out. Hinsdale is another 'burb, but still a bit far out for you and quite expensive (right up there with most NS burbs).

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by edsg25

Buffalo Grove...lots of similiarities with Highland Park and Deerfield

"We want historic and charming with a great downtown and lots to do within walking distance. We just can't afford the price of the NS. Where can we find something remotely similar"

If there is a historic and charming downtown Buffalo Grove, I've never seen it. Where can it be found?

[Lookout Kid]

There are suburbs that are historic and charming with lots to do within walking distance that don't quite feel like the North Shore... This would include Oak Park, northern La Grange, southern La Grange Park, Western Springs, etc. They are all expensive suburbs, but not quite as expensive as most of the North Shore. Another one would be Park Ridge--which sort of hugs the North Shore and has historic homes and a nice downtown, but doesn't quite have that North Shore "feel". Hinsdale is probably somewhat comparable to the North Shore in terms of price, but isn't on the Lake and doesn't "feel" the same.

[ajolotl]

Those are good suggestions, but at least when I was looking 250-400K wouldn't really get you much of anything in any of those places. If prices have softened since then though I could be wrong.

I spent the weekend in Oak Park and have to say that I'm just in awe of how nice it has become. I remember it being interesting and decent but still very shaky in the 80s. Now it has the same great housing stock but is prosperous and bustling. I kind of regret not having moved there. For me walking out my door into some action is indispensible.

Maybe the OP could find something small on the edges of Oak Park. It certainly has the qualities that they are looking for.

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

There are suburbs that are historic and charming with lots to do within walking distance that don't feel quite like the North Shore... This would include Oak Park, northern La Grange, southern La Grange Park, Western Springs, etc. They are all expensive suburbs, but not quite as expensive as most of the North Shore. Another one would be Park Ridge--which sort of hugs the North Shore and has historic homes and a nice downtown, but doesn't quite have that North Shore "feel". Hinsdale is probably just as expensive as the North Shore, or only slightly less.

[Mamama Mia]

I don't want to discourage you but it will be difficult to find a home in most suburbs at your price point. You may want to consider a condo or a townhome.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Anthera

"We want historic and charming with a great downtown and lots to do within walking distance. We just can't afford the price of the NS. Where can we find something remotely similar"

If there is a historic and charming downtown Buffalo Grove, I've never seen it. Where can it be found?

Agreed. The housing stock is similiar though. And when it comes to walking, the only place on the North Shore that is tends to be built for walking all around is Evanston which is more urban than the rest. Plenty of people in Winnetka, Highland Park, Lake Forest, etc., have no real locations to walk to near their homes, although plenty of beautiful real estate to see on a pleasure walk.

There is as much charm in Buffalo Grove as there is in west Wilmette and its endless tract homes. And it does have Long Grove right next to it.

Anthea, I don't want to get into it with you again. It's not worth it. So suffice it to say that in housing stock and life style, yes, I see some real similiarities between BG and HP and Dfd. And I will fully admit that I didn't stick to every detail in the original post, but offered a general notion that a lot of people buying homes in BG do so because it is, to them, a more affordable version of what they like in Highland Park.

Of course, that's strictly my opinion, not something that I expect anybody to agree with nor with any assertion that in any way I am "correct" other than that I see it that way. I would neither argue nor debate what I am saying because it is strictly observational and is based on my perceptions and not on empirical fact.

Then again, if you were to say to me: Buffalo Grove has absolutely no relationship to the North Shore suburbs in its offerings, you know what my answer would be?:

I fully respect your opinion.

[US-Traveller]

The North Shore communities are inner-ring style communities as are most of the affluent western suburbs. Your budget won't really allow you to afford what you are looking for in any of the communities for the most part. You'll have to lower your expectations or look for communities that are going to be more like Overland Park, KS to give you a comparison you might be familiar with.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by edsg25

Agreed. The housing stock is similiar though. And when it comes to walking, the only place on the North Shore that is tends to be built for walking all around is Evanston which is more urban than the rest. Plenty of people in Winnetka, Highland Park, Lake Forest, etc., have no real locations to walk to near their homes, although plenty of beautiful real estate to see on a pleasure walk.

There is as much charm in Buffalo Grove as there is in west Wilmette and its endless tract homes. And it does have Long Grove right next to it.

Anthea, I don't want to get into it with you again. It's not worth it. So suffice it to say that in housing stock and life style, yes, I see some real similiarities between BG and HP and Dfd. And I will fully admit that I didn't stick to every detail in the original post, but offered a general notion that a lot of people buying homes in BG do so because it is, to them, a more affordable version of what they like in Highland Park.

Of course, that's strictly my opinion, not something that I expect anybody to agree with nor with any assertion that in any way I am "correct" other than that I see it that way. I would neither argue nor debate what I am saying because it is strictly observational and is based on my perceptions and not on empirical fact.

Then again, if you were to say to me: Buffalo Grove has absolutely no relationship to the North Shore suburbs in its offerings, you know what my answer would be?:

I fully respect your opinion.

I am 100% with Anthera. I find "Buffalo Grove has absolutely no relationship to the North Shore suburbs in its offerings". I agree its more affordable-for a reason. It is Strip Mall/cookie cutter/heavy traffic town= Anywhere USA. But yes,affordable. Charm and Buffalo Grove are oxymorons.

[chitown85]

BG is very NW burb, despite what many who live there would like to think. It looks and feels like a NW burb. Shopping centers galore, large subdivisions, and wide streets.

[mendelman]

I think Libertyville is your best bet.

Here's a sample listing that might be of interest to you - 230 Park Place, Libertyville, IL, 60048 - MLS ID#07172851 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

It's in the heart of downtown Libertyville and walkable to everything there.

Also, to echo 'why not Grayslake?' A former coworker has lived there for decades and loves it. And your husband's commute would be super short.