Moon Lake Village in Hoffman Estates (Chicago, Elgin: low income, appointed, section 8)

[Cathodic]

Hi Everyone,

My boyfriend and I will be moving to Moon Lake Village in Hoffman Estates this summer. Overall, it's a really nice place for the price. We fell in love with the condo itself and the people we're renting from were very helpful and nice and maintenence seemed to be on top of everything.

Before we sign the lease this weeked though, I wanted to learn more about the actual sorrounding area and the neighborhood we will be moving into. I can't find anything on the internet except a song written by some local punk band.

I would really appreciate it if someone from the area can give me the real, honest truth about Moon Lake Village and the sorrounding area.

Thanks!

[Cathodic]

I guess no news is good news.

[chitown85]

Hoffman Estates is a middle to upper middle class suburb. All the neighborhoods meet the definition of good neighborhoods. As with ANY apartment complex, you may get some undesirable types, but that shouldn't be a cause for concern. The village is very good about that stuff. I def. recommend Hoffman Estates and that complex since it is very close to many conveniences (especially if you are new to Chicagoland).

[Cathodic]

I'm from Elgin, and I know Hoffman has a good reputation.

However, we heard that Section 8 apartments sorround this complex, can anyone verify that? And if so, is it something I should be concerned about?

[chitown85]

Here's the deal on section 8. Section 8 provides low income families housing vouchers to get them out of the projects. The vouchers allow them to move into apartments in the suburbs; the rationale being better schools, better atmosphere, etc. The success or failure of the plan has been debated.

Chicago was one of the first metro areas to receive the funding. Notice, all of the major projects in the city have been torn down or in the process.

Section 8 residents are now able to move anywhere in Cook County. Likewise, those who were living in assisted housing in Waukegan can now move anywhere in Lake County. The reason it is so much more prevelent in Cook County is because there are 6 million people and the city is there (the city having 90% of the old projects in Chicagoland).

[Brando7878]

Originally Posted by Cathodic

I guess no news is good news.

First,I reside in/at Moon Lake Village with my wife of five years(28 and 30yr).We have lived here for two years.(saving,building a house in the spring)The first year that we lived here was very uneventful.The second year is another story.It surprises me that the association is allowing you to rent.I have received at least two notices stating that renters will no longer be accepted due to all of the problems they have brought.
I am going to keep this short and sweet.If you decide to move here expect-1)section 8 hood rats leaving everything from cooking grease to misc. garbage on the walk ways and in the hallways.(depends on which buildings you are moving to,two or four story?)2)emblem stolen from my very new car 3)strong police presence due to the ever changing demographic.4)If you don't mind living with blacks and hispanics you will love MLV(Indians,Asians,Arabs are fine,I could care less about my credibility).I you don't mind the smell of pot in the hallways you'll love MLV.obnoxious,stoned teenage'brothas and sistas' in the hallway...move here. If you don't mind doors being propped open and peoples laundry being stolen you will love MLV.Like loud music?MLV car being doored...MLV. MLV was a nice,quiet and inexpensive option when we moved here but the quality of life has changed(at what seems to be)an exponential rate.Good luck.Cheers,Brandon

[dude1984]

I have lived in this area most of my life (22 of 24 years) and can say this area used to be decent, but now it is ghetto. It is intermixed with section 8 housing. From Bode up to Higgins, and Barrington Road to Moon Lake Blvd/Walnut is very iffy. The good thing is that there is a large police presence in the area and the Hoffman police department is right down the road on Golf.

[Cathodic]

Originally Posted by Brando7878

I am going to keep this short and sweet.If you decide to move here expect-1)section 8 hood rats leaving everything from cooking grease to misc. garbage on the walk ways and in the hallways.(depends on which buildings you are moving to,two or four story?)2)emblem stolen from my very new car 3)strong police presence due to the ever changing demographic.4)If you don't mind living with blacks and hispanics you will love MLV(Indians,Asians,Arabs are fine,I could care less about my credibility).I you don't mind the smell of pot in the hallways you'll love MLV.obnoxious,stoned teenage'brothas and sistas' in the hallway...move here. If you don't mind doors being propped open and peoples laundry being stolen you will love MLV.Like loud music?MLV car being doored...MLV. MLV was a nice,quiet and inexpensive option when we moved here but the quality of life has changed(at what seems to be)an exponential rate.Good luck.Cheers,Brandon

Thank you for being so honest. Your post is kind of making me regret signing the lease...
We will be moving into the four story buildings in June. I am actually half-hispanic, but I completely understand where you are coming from and I'm not offended. To be honest though, the location and the price are the most convenient that we've found, I'm just really disappointed to hear that it's not as picture perfect as I assumed. I am crossing my fingers that the demographics differ from building to building and hoepfully we're moving into a "good one".

[Cathodic]

Originally Posted by dude1984

I have lived in this area most of my life (22 of 24 years) and can say this area used to be decent, but now it is ghetto. It is intermixed with section 8 housing. From Bode up to Higgins, and Barrington Road to Moon Lake Blvd/Walnut is very iffy. The good thing is that there is a large police presence in the area and the Hoffman police department is right down the road on Golf.

Would you go as far to say that it's not safe enough for someone to walk around town by themselves?

[madylynne]

I live right across from those apartments in Hilldale .
It is surrounded by public housing and low-income. Although the area is more diverse than the surrounding suburbs, it has its disadvantages. After living here for 4 years hoffman is getting worse and worse. I regret moving out here from chicago expecting a better living environment.