Your Favorite Suburb And Why (Chicago, Naperville: homes, neighborhood, buyers)

[ubuntumatrix]

A few years ago I would of told you that living in the suburbs is for losers with five kids and two minivans...

Then I spent 7 months in a suburb of West Palm Beach, nothing special, just a suburb. Then I realized something: Once you get yourself a driver's license (can you say "city dweller"?) suburbs are pretty nice since you get away from the hustle and bustle.

So...

I'm in Chicago getting things squared away in a neighborhood I already know and I'm getting ready for my move. Question is to all of you out there reading this.

What is YOUR favorite Chicago suburb and why? Please feel free to post pictures (Pretty please?!).

I'm moving and need ideas. If I end up moving to your burb I promise to offer hot cocoa in December.

[chet everett]

There is a sticky with hundred (maybe thousands) of pictures of the various suburbs.

My personal preferences lean heavily toward towns in the western, NW and northern burbs with traditional development around a moderately sized commuter rail connection. For ease of school selection and stability the smaller the town the less likely there is to be some 'big push' to change things or seek out the "really desirable attendance boundary", but I can put those things aside to recommend a particular feature / attraction that one town may offer over another...

I disagree that the appeal of a town increases with access to driving -- in fact there is good evidence that towns that offer more walkable features tend to have broader appeal, a trend that I expect to continue indefinitely.

I prefer towns that are more compact to those that are spread out, though I know this tends to make them more expensive, with fewer homes to choose from and more competition for the largest homes / lots -- good if you are owner/seller, not so much for buyers/shoppers.

[Venom]

Cicero cus of the hoodrats.
Maywood, cus' I reside here.

That's it.
I don't travel much west of Maywood.

I just go to forest park and grab the train east to my city.

[noid_1985]

Oak Park/ River Forest

[NorCal Dude]

Wheaton. Fond memories of Briar Cliff Baseball
Rice pool and Ice cream world..man I miss that guy.

[cubssoxfan]

Winnetka-on the lake, heavily wooded, non-chain oriented business districts, fond memories of good people when I worked there.
Long Grove, Kildeer- beautiful homes, large lots, privacy and a true country feel
Prospect Heights-a "poorer mans" version of Long Grove & Kildeer with excellent highway and Metra access.
Arlington Heights-I'm a "homer", a local booster/bragger because it is a good area to live in.

[ubuntumatrix]

What would you guys say is your favorite spread out burb?

[Lookout Kid]

Favorite Northern Burbs: Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Kennilworth, Park Ridge, Highland Park

Favorite Western Burbs: Oak Park, River Forest, Riverside, La Grange, Hinsdale

Favorite Southern Burbs: Flossmoor, Homewood


Honorable mention: Arlington Heights, Elmhurst, Naperville, Western Springs, Berwyn

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by ubuntumatrix

What would you guys say is your favorite spread out burb?

Houston, TX. Just kidding I'd say Oak Brook. Pretty spread out.

[otters21]

Evergreen Park. It is still safe , affordable and decent for blue collar Joe and has decent access to public transit. If Elmwood Park can overcome it's issues ,it too would be worth an honorable mention.