Need advise , planning to move to Des plains, currently living/working in chicago downtown. (Naperville: for sale)

[pora]

I am currently renting and working in chicago downtown.Want to move to nearby suburbs for a quiter living.Need suggestions for Suburbs that are closer to dowtown , safe, offer good schools,that offer townhomes in range $240000- $280000.
Hows Des Plains, Hinsdale, Elmurst, mount prospect, park ridge, etc.
Please advise, suburbs that meet my creteria....

[chet everett]

While there probably are some townhomes in all those areas under $300K, there are MAJOR differences in what you are going to get for the money and how likely your investment will be to grow.

The stuff that is older will also probably be smaller, more like a condo than the more modern town houses that have more of an "attached single family home" feel to them. The older stuff seems to attract downsizers as long as the unit has single floor layout or a first floor master.

Personally I worry that as the baby boomers age they will NOT want some place like they helped their mother-in-law move into before she got too frail to live on her own. I suspect most of those places will transition more toward income property...

The stuff that has more of a single family feel is much better potential to remain attractive to a broader spectrum of people. Unlike the true SFH detached home buyer, that is almost always acutely aware of the school district, townhouse buyers may not care too much about that. Thus a decision about distance to commuting and dining / entertainment options may win out.

I would look in any town that has good Metra service. In addition to DesPlaines, Mt. Prospect and Park Ridge I would look in Chicago itself -- Edison Park/ Norwood Park/ Jeffereson Park are all on same line and much quieter than someplace like Lakeview.

Elmhurst is pretty pricey for the stuff close to train, look to Villa Park and Lombard on that line.

Hinsdale has almost no townhouses that are close to train, and only a handful that have any single family style to them, thus they are SKY HIGH. Better bets along the BNSF include Brookfield LaGrange, Clarendon Hills, Westmont, Downers Grove. With express service even Lisle and Naperville are within a reasonable commute time.

Good Luck!

[cubssoxfan]

Check out townhomes and condos in or near downtown Arlington Heights.

[middle-aged mom]

This is the first time that I have read Des Plaines and Hinsdale in the same sentence. It's apparent the OP does not know the greater Chicagoland area, well. Pick towns along each of the different train lines until you find one that feels like home.

[rbjork]

Real Estate For Sale in Des Plaines Illinois, Des Plaines Condo for Sale

I've lived in Des Plaines for over two years now and love it. We're moving to be closer to my husbands parents but our condo is only 4 years old and a block from Metra (I work downtown so that was big for me too). I put the link above. My husband is the original owner of the unit-- he did a lot of awesome upgrades. Beyond the condo, I really have enjoyed living in Des Plaines-- seems to be growing/developing a lot with metropolitan square and new restaurants popping up and it's nice being so close to the city without the price tag (I also started as a renter downtown). I'd recommend des plaines (even if you dont like the condo )

[chitown85]

Originally Posted by pora

I am currently renting and working in chicago downtown.Want to move to nearby suburbs for a quiter living.Need suggestions for Suburbs that are closer to dowtown , safe, offer good schools,that offer townhomes in range $240000- $280000.
Hows Des Plains, Hinsdale, Elmurst, mount prospect, park ridge, etc.
Please advise, suburbs that meet my creteria....

Des Plaines and Mount Prospect are NW burbs. They are located about 10-20 min from O'Hare and 45- 75 min to downtown depending on traffic. To the north neighborhoods of the city, it is much shorter. Both villages are very suburban. Both villages have METRA stations to go right into the Loop.

Park Ridge is a NW/north burb, also very suburban. 10-20 min. to O'Hare, slightly closer to downtown. Park Ridge also borders city neighborhoods, but can still be a trek downtown by car. METRA station here too.

Elmhurst is a west burb in DuPage County. It has a METRA station, probably about 30 min to O'Hare and 45-75 to downtown on the Ike (Eisenhower).

All of these burbs are middle to upper middle class.

Hinsdale is also a west burb in DuPage County and is very wealthy. I believe there is a METRA station there. It has large homes and is a bedroom community.