First Time homeowner looking for a suburb with available Metra permit spots (Chicago: city hall, houses)

[Strider817]

I’ve been looking at single family homes for a little over a month now, and I’m still struggling to find a good Chicago Suburb that is affordable, and has available Metra spots. I’ve already looked at Wheaton, but there isn’t too much in my price range, and more recently I’ve been looking at Bartlett, Hanover Park, and Roselle. I like many of the houses in Hanover Park, but I’m worried about resale, and crime. Bartlett is definitely nice, but finding a house in my price range (230ish max) has been difficult. I’d love to live close to where I live now (Naperville), but I realize parking on the BNSF is basically impossible.

Does anyone have suggestions on other towns I should look at that fit some of this criteria?

[chet everett]

I think the shortage of parking for BNSF is exaggerated. Besides the municipal lots there are many other options including civic groups / churches that offer parking that is mostly affordable.

The housing available at $230K is not plentiful, or of sterling quality, but there are units available.
I was out the other day and I think this is one example of good value in Westmont: 139 S WASHINGTON St, WESTMONT, IL 60559 | MLS# 07208614

Not the prettiest house, but it could be a very nice deal for some one one, and down the road it could be updated / freshened up for a nice return.

[JustJulia]

Originally Posted by Strider817

I’ve been looking at single family homes for a little over a month now, and I’m still struggling to find a good Chicago Suburb that is affordable, and has available Metra spots. I’ve already looked at Wheaton, but there isn’t too much in my price range, and more recently I’ve been looking at Bartlett, Hanover Park, and Roselle. I like many of the houses in Hanover Park, but I’m worried about resale, and crime. Bartlett is definitely nice, but finding a house in my price range (230ish max) has been difficult. I’d love to live close to where I live now (Naperville), but I realize parking on the BNSF is basically impossible.

Does anyone have suggestions on other towns I should look at that fit some of this criteria?

Perhaps Downers Grove? They are expanding the Belmont lot and seem to be putting in a parking structure.

[Strider817]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

Perhaps Downers Grove? They are expanding the Belmont lot and seem to be putting in a parking structure.

Yeah Downer's Grove and Lisle have a 5-7 year wait for a parking permit; though apparently Lisle has alot more parking at other private lots. The issue with that is that I often don't get back to the area until 8:30 or later, which can be an issue in some lots.

[JustJulia]

Originally Posted by Strider817

Yeah Downer's Grove and Lisle have a 5-7 year wait for a parking permit; though apparently Lisle has alot more parking at other private lots. The issue with that is that I often don't get back to the area until 8:30 or later, which can be an issue in some lots.

Oh wow, I am sorry to hear that. I hoped the parking crunch would have gotten better with the new lots. Good luck finding what you're looking for.

We live in Naperville, and when my husband goes to his corporate office in Chicago, he takes the bus to the train station. The buses run pretty frequently, and he doesn't have to find anywhere to park.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Strider817

I’ve been looking at single family homes for a little over a month now, and I’m still struggling to find a good Chicago Suburb that is affordable, and has available Metra spots. I’ve already looked at Wheaton, but there isn’t too much in my price range, and more recently I’ve been looking at Bartlett, Hanover Park, and Roselle. I like many of the houses in Hanover Park, but I’m worried about resale, and crime. Bartlett is definitely nice, but finding a house in my price range (230ish max) has been difficult. I’d love to live close to where I live now (Naperville), but I realize parking on the BNSF is basically impossible.

Does anyone have suggestions on other towns I should look at that fit some of this criteria?

South Berwyn is right along the BNSF line and has plenty of parking. They're building a new parking deck now also. Or you could find a house 4 blocks from the train like we did and not have to worry about it. It's nice, I can tell you! Elmwood Park, Galewood, Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park may be other options, though I don't know what their parking situation is like for commuter trains. There too you may want to seek out a house within walking distance of a train. Never a bad idea.

[rockinrolla]

Des Plaines has a metra, a nice downtown, is closer to the city than any of them other towns you've mentioned, and is affordable.

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by BRU67

South Berwyn is right along the BNSF line and has plenty of parking. They're building a new parking deck now also. Or you could find a house 4 blocks from the train like we did and not have to worry about it. It's nice, I can tell you! Elmwood Park, Galewood, Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park may be other options, though I don't know what their parking situation is like for commuter trains. There too you may want to seek out a house within walking distance of a train. Never a bad idea.

I used to park in Berwyn for the BNSF. Its a quick trip downtown and parking was almost always available somewhere along the stretch from Harlem to Ridgeland though you may have to walk a few blocks if you take a train after 8am. If they are building a parking structure it should be a much better situation when that is available too. Most if not all trains stop at Berwyn. Call Berwyn City Hall for info. I paid by the quarter but they also had annual stickers available too at a decent discount over the quarterly rate. Parking was not assigned; first come first serve so you could be in a different spot everyday.

[Strider817]

Originally Posted by myrc60

I used to park in Berwyn for the BNSF. Its a quick trip downtown and parking was almost always available somewhere along the stretch from Harlem to Ridgeland though you may have to walk a few blocks if you take a train after 8am. If they are building a parking structure it should be a much better situation when that is available too. Most if not all trains stop at Berwyn. Call Berwyn City Hall for info. I paid by the quarter but they also had annual stickers available too at a decent discount over the quarterly rate. Parking was not assigned; first come first serve so you could be in a different spot everyday.

For both people who mentioned Berwyn, what areas of the town should I avoid or are more sketchy then others, or is it generally pretty safe.

Also, how is Cook County? I've never lived within it, but I've heard alot about taxes and other issues with it.

[myrc60]

Yes, taxes are high in cook but you are not far from dupage in Berwyn. Generally south Berwyn is safe, it gets a little sketchy the closer u get to 22nd street. Lyons is also right there too. I drove to Berwyn from Bridgeview. Berwyn will also have a cheaper metra fare.