Family Needing Advice on Suburbs (Chicago, Naperville: transplants, for sale, rental)

[venom_99]

My family and I are looking to move back to Chicagoland this summer after spending the past two years near Decatur. (My job is in Decatur, but I'm looking to leave for an engineering position in Chicagoland.) My wife is originally from Elgin, and I'm from the far south suburbs where the cornfields begin. We're somewhat familiar with the the western 'burbs, but not to an extent that we can clearly identify which city to target for our move.

We have two children, ages 2 and 5, and will need access to a GOOD school district.

My job prospects may be in Melrose Park or Lemont, so we're probably thinking western suburbs. Nothing is firm, though, and I'm still working a number of job leads.

My wife is seeking employment in the sciences field (i.e., lab technician, microbiology, food science, etc.). She does not have anything lined up in Chicagoland, but will start that search soon.

We are generally conservative, but central-IL is TOO conservative for us.

We love our current house near Decatur since we have a 2700 sq ft house on 2 wooded acres. This is nice, but not a necessity. The architecture of older homes is particularly appealing to us; we lived in a 1940s bungalow prior to the move to Decatur.

We have family in the far-western suburbs, and really like the Geneva & St. Charles area. The commute to my potential job locations put this location out of scope, though.

And lastly, we're looking to rent for the short-term. Target would be $2000/mo, but could go a little higher if necessary. If things work out well, we may be looking to buy within 1-2 years.

With all the great advice here, I thought someone more familiar with the Chicagoland area would be able to steer us to a few cities where we can focus our search.

Thanks!!!

[US-Traveller]

I would hate to live in Decatur too.

Based on your budget you are going to have to dramatically downsize in order to be in a good public school district near Melrose Park or Lemont. If you are going to be working in Melrose Park, I would try and look into Elmhurst. Elmhurst has a nice small town feel and it is only 10-15 minutes from central Melrose Park. Elmhurst has good schools, they aren't the best, but they have a reasonable reputation. A rental around $2,000 is going to likely be a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,700 square foot single-level home.

I also would take a look into La Grange. La Grange is more upscale and more affluent than Elmhurst. La Grange has top-rated schools. La Grange has a very nice downtown and very good public transportation into the city. La Grange is about 20-25 minutes from central Melrose Park and 30-35 minutes from Lemont.

If you are going to be working in Lemont, I would take a look at Orland Park, which is located in the southern suburbs. Orland Park is more like typical suburbia, but has reputable schools and has nice shops, restaurants, and amenities. In Orland you'll get more bang-for-your-buck. In Orland you should expect a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, split-level. Orland Park is about 20-25 minutes from Lemont.

I might also take a look into Darien and Woodridge. They are similar to Orland Park, but a tad more expensive. You might get lucky and find something nice in Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, or Naperville. I personally would stick to Elmhurst, La Grange, and Orland Park on your budget.

In terms of being conservative, all of these areas are more Republican or Blue-Dog in nature.

[venom_99]

Thanks much for the input!!!

(If it makes you feel any better, the people in Decatur would hate to live in Chicagoland. I think it's quite funny how much hatred there is for people "north of I-80". I'm really burned out from the local "culture".)

We know we're going to downsize, and that's fine with us. Although our big yard is great for our two boys, it's really the neighbors and the other kids in the neighborhood that make it enjoyable. We're looking to replicate the neighborhood feel more than the house and lot size.

The homes in La Grange and Hinsdale are spectacular! I've been spending some time on Realtor.com this morning, just browsing the homes for sale and rent. I was not aware that those types of homes existed that close to the city.

Looking at all the cities you recommended, it seems that Naperville has quite a bit in our price range. Other than a few, most are listed in districts 203 and 204. (I'm using Illinois Interactive Report Card at iirc.niu.edu to find info on schools.) I like the diversity make-up in the Naperville schools -- good for my kids to have a cross-section of friends.

Some people on this forum are probably rolling their eyes with my comments about Naperville, but it may fit the bill for our family for the next few years. When it comes time for us to buy a house (and know our jobs will be stable), some of the other cities may be back in our scope.

Thanks again!

[studedude]

I'm in Oswego, good schools and corn fields south and a little further west. Drive to Lemont would not be bad. Melrose would be a different story. An added piece of information. My wife is from Decatur and likes it here.

[venom_99]

Studedude -- I had to lol when I read your post. The slogan of Decatur is "We like it here".

[studedude]

Originally Posted by venom_99

Studedude -- I had to lol when I read your post. The slogan of Decatur is "We like it here".

She is actually from suburban Decatur.

[venom_99]

Our house is in Argenta: about 10 miles NE of Decatur. We're far enough away from the city that the smell from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Tate & Lyle (fna Staley's) doesn't reach our house.

[studedude]

Buy my place. I'll leave some "Ode de Staley" in it so you feel at home. http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/48898

[studedude]

Originally Posted by venom_99

Our house is in Argenta: about 10 miles NE of Decatur. We're far enough away from the city that the smell from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Tate & Lyle (fna Staley's) doesn't reach our house.

Sorry I didn't read this before my last post.

[US-Traveller]

I think you'll like Naperville. Be aware that the commute from Naperville is longer than the other locations mentioned, but it is more ethnically diverse than the other communities. Naperville also has a lot more transplants whereas La Grange, Orland Park, and Elmhurst are hard-core Chicago. Those communities are made up of families that have been here for generations.