Where to live?? (Chicago, Naperville, Evanston: houses, buying, good schools)

[lise1980]

My husband has been offered a job in Chicago and is seriously contemplating accepting it. We've been looking to move to the US from the UK for around two years now and have everything in order, the only problem is we have no clue where to live if he does accept.

We currently live in a nice suburb with good schools and a few local amenities; I can get everywhere I need to go on foot which is good cause due to a medical condition I can't drive and we have 7 kids between us (possible only 5 will move to US).

We would like to move to a town or village within a 90minute commute of Chicago. Good schools are a must as are lots of open space, nice parks, walkable downtown. Ideally we'd like a child-friendly town with lots of extra-curricular stuff (dance, gymnastics, soccer, karate etc). We like to eat out as a family so somewhere with nice restaurants would be an added bonus.

We'd be looking to buy straight away and could afford around $835k but could go higher for the right house. We'd like at least 5 beds and room to extend. We've done a small amount of research and like the look of Wilmette and Kenilworth but are they a bit pricey for us and do they offer what we are looking for?

Hope you can help

[chet everett]

Kenilworth is pretty close is among the most expensive suburbs anywhere. If you really want 5 bedrooms you will most likely not find it for anything close to $835K.

That said, there are many 4 bedrooms even that very pricey area that are quite acceptable for that amount or close to it and may offer you some ability to remodel.

Wilmette is big step down from Kenilworth, especially as part of Wilmette are considerably further from Lake Michigan, which is a determining factor for value. There are homes with 5 bedrooms on the market in that price category, though they are not in the most desirable location and may have condition issues.

There are a lot of other North Shore communities that are also WELL WITH a 90 minute commute of Chicago, many of them probably offer more the things you mention.

I would also highly encourage you to look in other areas of Western Cook Co. and DuPage Co where you will also find the things you are looking for and your buying power will go further. Frankly with a 90 minute commute radius you could also look in the greater Fox Valley as well as most of Lake Co into even Kane Co and portions of Will Co where your purchasing power would certainly get you a 5 bedroom home and room to expand.


I would suggest that you try to narrow you search and determine what qualities are most important.

On the North Shore the top of range homes with more than 4 bedrooms routinely exceed $2 or 3M.

In other towns you could find a 5 bedroom in brand new condition that may be only $500 or $600K.

The differences will come down to the qualities beyond the houses. Schools are huge factor in the Chicago suburbs. Convience to the commuter rail lines is also a large determination of value. There are also factors about what kind of neighbors you want -- in some towns it is common for many of your neighbors to work in the Loop at offices of major financial institutions / finacial exchanges. In other towns this is far less common.

[Lookout Kid]

There are options in the western suburbs that offer more than the North Shore for the money. On the near west side you could look at Oak Park, River Forest, and Riverside. Further out you might like La Grange, Western Springs, and Hinsdale. All are walkable and have traditional "downtowns"--typically around a train station. Though the downtowns in Riverside and River Forest don't offer much.

If you really are attached to the North Shore, there are homes in your price range in Wilmette and Highland Park. You might be able to snag a four bedroom and convert part of the attic or basement to a fifth if you really need it! Evanston is a really nice community too, and it offers quite a bit more action than the rest of the North Shore. But in Evanston you need to be mindful of the rougher parts of town--and the schools aren't quite as good as Wilmette for the most part.

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

There are options in the western suburbs that offer more than the North Shore for the money. On the near west side you could look at Oak Park, River Forest, and Riverside. Further out you might like La Grange, Western Springs, and Hinsdale. All are walkable and have traditional "downtowns"--typically around a train station. Though the downtowns in Riverside and River Forest don't offer much.

From my experience, you don't get more for your money in Hinsdale or Western Springs than you do on the North Shore. Both are great choices for the OP though.

You should be able to find many four bedroom homes on the North Shore in Wilmette (even east Wilmette), Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff in the mid $800's. Possibly Kenilworth, though I think it's the priciest per square foot in the entire metro area. In this market, you'll probably find some five bedrooms as well, but they won't be completely updated.

In addition to the other western suburbs that were already mentioned (Hinsdale, Western Springs, LaGrange, Oak Park, River Forest) , I would also add Clarendon Hills and Glen Ellyn to your list, and also see if you like Naperville - some people love it, it's not other people's cup of tea. You'd have to live close to downtown though to be able to walk to things. It definitely has the amenities you desire, and the good schools, but it might not have the feel you are looking for.