Where should I live in the Fox River Valley?

[knitgirl]

Depending where on Elgin he's going. I have a friend who commuted from Huntley to downtown Elgin who always ran into slow spots on 31 from 90. Right now, there's construction that's been going on for months on 31, but even without it he'd run into traffic. I'd go for the east side of Geneva or St Charles. Both really cute towns, especially if you like vintage homes.

[moop711]

Try looking at West Dundee. The downtown is really cool and real estate prices have cooled down considerably. You can get to Elgin in about 10-15 minutes. The schools are better in St. Charles but you are gonna pay an arm and a leg in property taxes.

[middle-aged mom]

Tough decision....school district versus house versus property taxes.

Best house values, right now can be found in Algonquin, ( Jacobs High School District), west of the river and certainly not rural.

Check out Willoughby Estates, in Algonquin for some jaw dropping values in the $300's. Elgin is a snap commute.

There are homes in this price range in the greater Barrington area ( school district 220). Low $400's is a hot price point and multiple bidding is increasingly common. Such properties tend to be older and half the size of what you will find in Algonquin. Schools however, rate better.

Only you can decide how to best balance affordability and education.

[silverfox308]

I would recommend Wheaton or Glen Ellyn. Great schools and Librarys with good programs for the kids. Close to Train to get into the city for work during the week or on the week ends with the faimly to play and wide range of local shopping for the wife. Great bike paths. Its not so over crowded and still has a small town charm and enviroment. Property Taxes a tad high but whats new. I lived there for 30 yrs and thought it was great to raise kids. I had 6 of em.

Good Luck,
Gene

[Beth E.]

How has the relo worked out for you? I am in the same pickle - choosing to move from GA to the Chicagoland area. My husband grew up in Arlington Hts. We lived most of our life in the West - the South doesn't fit us. Looking at Crystal Lake or the Tri cities area. Husband works from home, so commute and location are not an issue. Need good schools (Middle and High) something for teenage boys to do, and their parents. We want a more rural setting 1 acre min. price between $375,000-$450,000. Sense of community with lots of activities/festivals, ways to engage and meet people since we both work out of the house. Is there any area where it snows less? Just kidding! Talk to me about property taxes - they are much higher there but seem to vary. Help, advice and opinions are welcome!

[cubssoxfan]

I live in Arlington Hts. Looked at moving to Crystal Lake about 5 years ago to get more house for the $. When we factored in higher property taxes, the commuting patterns (I work from home but need to be mobile to see clients), the extra time away from home spent in the car & where the main employment centers were for future job opportunities; we decided to stay in AH. Sure it's not as rural as I would like, but my kids have sidewalks to safely ride their bikes on and take advantage of the many parks nearby. They can walk or ride to school. When we need to go to the airports or Chicago, it is at least 45 minutes closer than farther northwest. For a more rural feeling, I recommend Prospect Heights. Large lots, good schools with the advantages of not being so far out. My guess is because of higher property taxes outside of NW Cook Co., you could probably afford a house that is $30-$50K more than outside Cook Co. and still have the same monthly payment.

Now if you do move farther out, I personally would stay VERY far away from Dist 300 and Dist-U46. Sure they have some good schools but they also have some very mediocre schools as well. I perceive Crystal Lake and Cary have better schools.No high school in McHenry or Kane Co. made US News & World Reports list of best high schools .Best High Schools Search - US News and World Report
District 214 which serves Arlington Heights and surrounding communities had most of its schools make the list including Hersey, Prospect, Buffalo Grove, Rolling meadows and Wheeling. Not to say you won't find good schools farther out, but the schools around here are a definite plus.
Good luck with your relocation.

[LindaIL]

Originally Posted by TennisDD

I would look at Geneva/St. Charles. I am biased living in Geneva, but both have very unique/charming dowtowns with tree lined streets. St. Charles caters toward more of a younger crowd(20s/30s), while Geneva is more of a mayberry feeling that caters towards older individuals and does have a metra.
Again being biased, I think the Fox Valley offers the best quality of life in the burbs. The only downfall is that we are smack in the middle of interstate 88 and 90, so getting to downtown Chicago does take longer that other burbs closer to the highway.

Allthough Geneva has a very quaint downtown area - it is far from Mayberry! Geneva is very nice, but in my opinion is much more about keeping up with the Jones' - Materialistic - alot of high-end stores, houses, cars - for the most part. What part of Mayberry is like that?

If you want more of a taste of Mayberry - relaxed, friendly people, peace & quiet/country atmosphere, yet still have metra trains, try going a bit further west of Geneva to either Elburn or Maple Park - way more relaxed and no traffic congestion, yet close enough to schools, shopping, etc.

[sgresident]

beth,
you should look in the rural st. charles, campton hills, wasco area. They attend st. charles school district. you can find large lots, schools, shopping, athletics, movies etc.
a little further west and you have elburn, maple park, sugar grove(a little south) kaneville. all have rural areas with larger lots available. good schools, sense of community. the western towns have less to do, but all is within 20 minutes drive time.

[treeg26]

I LOVE Geneva and St. Charles! Great schools, nice people, shopping, ect.