how is lansing IL (Chicago, Calumet City: house, to buy, school districts)

[area55]

Im looking to buy a house in lansing and i am just wondering how the area and schools are ? I am white non-hispanic

[Journeyone]

Well, With the surrounding towns changing, In the long run it may not be that good. Although it's still pretty stable, But with many of the south suburbs facing some severe changes, This is a good question. But yet for the long term, It may not look very bright.

[appledoony]

I've lived in Lansing for about 15 years. It's still a pretty stable area, but I agree that it is changing. A better area for schools might be Munster, Indiana, which is only a few miles from Lansing.

[cybergrad79]

I am curious as to what kind of changes you are referring to. My husband's job has recently re-located him to this area, and I am thinking about leaving my adopted home of Augusta, GA. I am having reservations though about the school system here, we have an 11 yr old daughter.

[j33]

The changes being referred to are the socio-economic and/or ethnic changes of some of the south suburbs. I was born in Chicago Heights so I know this area while (I've lived in Chicago though since 1992 so any recent changes I'm a little less aware of) and I do know, from attending them, that some of the south-suburban schools can be a bit rough. Thornton in Harvey had armed security in the 1980's, for good reason (I recall participating in some after school activies that involved some trips to this school) and Bloom Trail had its rough edges as well. That being said, I have found memories of growing up in the south 'burbs, but there are certain schools I probably would be a bit hesistant to send my children too. However, I remember Lansing as being quite nice and not one of those areas.

[homewoodfan]

It depends on how you feel about diversity. Lansing is stable and is a very nice town though it is becoming more diverse.You might consider two towns with Metra access near Lansing: Homewood and Flossmoor. Flossmoor is more affluent but is definitely a bedroom community. Homewood was mentioned in the Chicago Tribune I believe as one of the ten best small towns in IL... it is very cute and definitely has a lot to offer. Both towns offer great housing stock, stuff to do, Metra train access, good schools and stable property values.

[Renee9468]

[quote=homewoodfan] Lansing is stable and is a very nice town though it is becoming more diverse.[/QUOTE]

You make it sound as though diversity is a bad thing.

Yes, Lansing is becoming more diverse, just like a majority of other towns & villages in Illinois. Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs have been segregated for so many years that it is only a matter of time before the folks who are running away will have no where else to run.

To all the bigots on this forum: Free your mind and the rest will follow.

Peace

[srcampbell43]

I've lived here in Lansing for the past 5 years. It's a nice village with a GOOD school system. The elementary school districts of 158 and 171 are both good. 171 is a little smaller, 158 a bit larger. 158 Memorial Jr. High is in the process of building. 171's buildings were built in the 70's, but are functional. There are good teachers in both districts. I've substituted in both and find them fairly close--my kids went to 158 so I'm a bit partial. 158 has the better music department. The high school is district 215 Thornton Fractional South High School. My kids have done very well--They have honors and AP programs as well as at risk. Again they have an outstanding music, speech, and drama departments. My family moved here from the Sandhills area of North Carolina and they were ahead in some subjects and slightly behind in one or two others. I think you can feel comfortable moving to Lansing.

[mediamonster]

People! It is ok and not racist or ethnocentric to say what you are truly thinking about the changes many suburbs, including Lansing, are experiencing. I lived in Lansing as a child and returned some years ago and yes, it has and is changing. And the changes are predominantly for the worse. Diversity is almost always used as a positive word describing a change in a population's race or ethnic make up. Let's take our neighbor Calumet City for example. Cal City has certainly become more "diverse" in the past 15 or so years. This is evident by the number of closed and vacant businesses(except pawn shops), the increase in crime, number of drive-bys, gang activity, open on the street drug deals, and so on. To the person that posted that cheesy utopian line about acceptance or bigotry, I'd like to say "It's a nice thought, but not very realistic or practical when you want what is best for your family". I live in and love Lansing for now but understand that "diversity" is upon us and we will probably want to move in a few to five years.

[Renee9468]

Mediamonster, I sure hope you aren't teaching your children such stereotyping. You should be more concerned about pedophiles and good school systems than how many minorities are living on your block.

Question: Why is Chicago and its surrounding suburbs so segregated? I have been many places, all over the great U.S. and have never seen so many different ethnicities grouped seperately.