Young Families in N. Cook or Lake County? (Chicago, Schaumburg: rent, crime)

[Spartanacus]

Hello. We are recent transfers and are renting a home in Mundelein for a year as my wife works in Lake Forest. I don't have a job yet, but figure it could be anywhere from downtown (preferably not) to Schaumburg to Milwaukee...preferable as close to Lake Forest as possible.

We'll probably be making about $150K total, so we're looking in the $275-$375K range...but would prefer to keep it as low as possible, yet live in a decent area with decent schools, in a decent location. I've done a lot of research on our options...Mundelein, Grayslake, Gurnee, Libertyville, Vernon Hills (the latter 2 being on the pricey side).

Mundelein is okay, but I hear the public schools aren't the greatest. Of course, we still have young girls, so we're still years away from Kindergarten, let alone High School...when the education reallly matters most. So knowing us, we won't be in the house that we'll buy (a year from now) for too long...but at the same time, you want to buy in a 'good school district' for resale purposes.

But another major issue is not only narrowing down the town/city, but to find a nice, family friendly subdivision in particular with young 30 somethings who are just starting families and making a modest low 6 figure income.

We rent in Cambridge Country in Mundelein and it's nice, but not a ton of younger (32 & 34) couples with young (1 and 3) kids.

Does anyone know of the perfect place in Lake County or Northern Cook County that would fit our bill???

[nanannie]

I agree about the school system in Mundelien.Libertyville has better schools and Vernon Hills has wonderful communities for families with great schools and an easy commute to Lake Forest.It also is on the Metra(train) to the city.Nothing wrong with your other choices,its a matter of finding the right house for the $$ if you like all of the towns and they seem like the could be "home" for you.I would think a decent realtor should take your criteria and give you a long list of options. Good Luck

[mimi2007]

Check out Mariner's Cove, corner of Washington and 45. Nice, mixed community - young families, retirees, middle-agers. Two private lakes for residents -- Third Lake -- allows motorcraft; Druce - no motors, small sand wading beach. Play areas. Worst crime in neighborhood (that I know of) is a couple of cars broken into and of course, the great pumpkin caper -- about 15 years ago several pumpkins were smashed at Halloween. Houses are 18 - 25 years old and are in your price range. Kids go to Avon/Grayslake schools. Nice, friendly neighborhood.

[Spartanacus]

Thanks for your recommendations...we'll check them all out over this next year.

The sub we're coming from in Indy is brand new and mostly people around our age with young kids. I don't know if anything like that exists in the Northern Chicagoland area, or since the subs are all older, there's a greater mix of ages.

Just wondering.

Thanks again and keep 'em coming if you can think of any other subs in particular.

[nanannie]

There are ALOT of newer sub-divisions in these towns for you to choose from.Those areas have seen alot of growth.(mimis sounds very nice as well)

[apuppy999]

We have lived in Schaumburg for 6 years. The public schools are excellent. My daughter attends the Japanesse school of choice program and the Violin program. She has been learn Japanesse in her classroom since KG...5 years now. Schaumburg also other programs to choice from in their public schools such as Spanish. The neighborhood is friendly.