Need help! (Chicago, Arlington Heights, Palatine: for sale, real estate, to rent)

[Move09]

Hi,

We are moving to NW suburbs and our prefered destinations are Arlington Heights, Palatine or Buffalo Grove.
We have identified few homes in our price range and for now are very interested in one of them.
House is located in Arlington Heights, near Lake Arlington in the Arlington Vista Subdivision.
We have 5 year old and we need good schools around.
Is anyone familiar with this area?
School district is 23, elementary school is Betsy Ross and I think that middle school is Macarthur Middle and HS is under 214 , John Hersey.
Can someone help us here?
We need as much information as possible (neighborhood, schools, ammenities...) as we are not familiar with the area.
Thanks

[middle-aged mom]

There are homes for sale in that neighborhood ranging from $250- $700k+.

It's a fine neighborhood. If you are working with a real estate agent, he/she should be able to answer any/all questions, for you.

[Move09]

Originally Posted by middle-aged mom

There are homes for sale in that neighborhood ranging from $250- $700k+.

It's a fine neighborhood. If you are working with a real estate agent, he/she should be able to answer any/all questions, for you.

Ok, thanks. No, we don't have real estate agent yet, but we will need a good one to show me around.
I have these information based on the listing on www.realtor.com.
Also, another place I am going to check is close to downtown Palatine (1.4m off the Metra Station) I think house is on S Plum Grove Road and it is under Fremd high school district. From the forum I heard that it is one of the best schools in Chicagoland.
As I said we will be working with agent from this weekend on, I just want to hear different opinions about these areas:
Is it safe, friendly neighborhood?
Are there any places (restaurants, walking paths...nearby)?
How's the school district, etc.... Just a few more details from the people who know this area wll.

Thanks.

[cubssoxfan]

I live in Lake Arlington sub-division which is adjacent to Arlington Vista on the east. Our kids started their first year in district 23 transfering from private school. We are extremely happy with the quality of education at D23. They also spend a good deal of time on teaching kids character, social and peer skills-something surprisingly absent at our former private school. There is also a healthy diversity in D23. I believe there are 23 different languages represented at the school. The JH also offers an orchestra program in addition to many fine sports and extra-curricular opportunities. The district achieved a high ranking on both the overall # of students scoring well on IL standardized testing AND the increase in % of students performing at a high level.
Hersey is a very good HS.
Having the lake and the nearby parks within walking distance is a big plus. As your child grows older, it will be nice knowing s/he can explore the neighborhood and get to parks without crossing any busy streets. Arlington Heights library and Park District are also outstanding. An added bonus, since you pay taxes into D23, I believe Prospect Heights park district gives you resident rates. We found their swim programs better than AH for our kids. Wheeling park district will discount some of their programs as well.
As far as walking paths, you are just a few blocks (walking distance) from Lake Arlington. 50 acre lake with a 2 mile path around the lake and 2 play areas. Flentie park is in the Arlington Vista sub-division as well.
Now a word of caution. There has been flooding problems in the past. I beleive AH has done storm sewer work to alleviate some or all of this, but it is worth investigating. It may be as simple as having a robust battery back-up sump pump in your basement.
The Palatine neighborhood you mention is also a good area. Just be sure Plum Grove is the quiet residential section and not the major artery it is farther north of Kirchoff.

[Move09]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

I live in Lake Arlington sub-division which is adjacent to Arlington Vista on the east. Our kids started their first year in district 23 transfering from private school. We are extremely happy with the quality of education at D23. They also spend a good deal of time on teaching kids character, social and peer skills-something surprisingly absent at our former private school. There is also a healthy diversity in D23. I believe there are 23 different languages represented at the school. The JH also offers an orchestra program in addition to many fine sports and extra-curricular opportunities. The district achieved a high ranking on both the overall # of students scoring well on IL standardized testing AND the increase in % of students performing at a high level.
Hersey is a very good HS.
Having the lake and the nearby parks within walking distance is a big plus. As your child grows older, it will be nice knowing s/he can explore the neighborhood and get to parks without crossing any busy streets. Arlington Heights library and Park District are also outstanding. An added bonus, since you pay taxes into D23, I believe Prospect Heights park district gives you resident rates. We found their swim programs better than AH for our kids. Wheeling park district will discount some of their programs as well.
As far as walking paths, you are just a few blocks (walking distance) from Lake Arlington. 50 acre lake with a 2 mile path around the lake and 2 play areas. Flentie park is in the Arlington Vista sub-division as well.
Now a word of caution. There has been flooding problems in the past. I beleive AH has done storm sewer work to alleviate some or all of this, but it is worth investigating. It may be as simple as having a robust battery back-up sump pump in your basement.
The Palatine neighborhood you mention is also a good area. Just be sure Plum Grove is the quiet residential section and not the major artery it is farther north of Kirchoff.

Thank you so much cubssoxfan, I am very happy with all I have read in your post, beside that flooding issue.
However, the good thing (maybe) is that both houses I am interested in have no basement. I think it will ease the flood problem, or am I wrong?
As for the house in Palatine, I just double check the map and it actually is on S Hale Rd. Are you familiar with the area?
Can you compare the two?
I can't wait to go there and see by myself, but in the meantime any input is appreciated.

[cubssoxfan]

Both are good areas. D23 may be slightly better K-8 district, Fremd may be slightly better HS. Schools would not worry me in either area. In Arlington Vista, how far away from Palatine Rd. are you?

[Move09]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Both are good areas. D23 may be slightly better K-8 district, Fremd may be slightly better HS. Schools would not worry me in either area. In Arlington Vista, how far away from Palatine Rd. are you?

Appx. it is 1/4 mile off Palatine Rd.

[cubssoxfan]

Sometimes the road noise can be a bother. Typically when windows are open and there is a south breeze. Just something to keep in mind. There are several homes for sale in same sub-division.

[middle-aged mom]

Generally speaking, single family homes without basements do not appreciate well, in the Midwest. They do however, often provide an affordable alternative to renting or townhomes.

Pay attention to the differences in property taxes between these two properties. The one in Arlington Vista has a senior exemption and so your agent needs to determine what the taxes will be without such an expemption. Taxes on Hale are nuts, relative to the home's value.

Easy access to Lake Arlington, is a huge plus.