Young professional looking for best suburb... (Chicago, Arlington Heights: college, place to live, mall)

[newtothearea22]

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to be moving to the Northwest side of Chicago VERY soon and am trying to find a reasonable place to live. I'm hoping to plant some roots (seeing as I don't know a soul in the Chicago area) and meet some new friends and new people.

I'm 22 and just graduated college in May, and I'm moving up to work for a company up in Mundelein. I'm hoping to limit my commute to 20-30 minutes every morning, so I'm thinking I might live in somewhere like Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, or Wheeling, but I keep on hearing different things from everyone as to where I should live.

What I'm looking for:
Reasonably affordable area, close to train/some access to the city for weekends.
Area that might also have a little bit of a younger nightlife of its own... hoping for a bar district or "downtown" area maybe? (20's preferable - which I know is difficult for most 'burbs).
Within 30-40 minutes of Mundelein so not toooo far South.

Does anyone have a recommendation? If so, I'd REALLY appreciate it, as I've been looking a ton and I really have no idea where to even begin

Thanks,
Jeff

[Brisklaw]

Vernon Hills? near the mall area? maybe there are some apt. complexes near there. Plenty of nightlife along Milwaukee. Ave. just watch the drinking and driving.

[chet everett]

The commute form Mundelein to even a nearby town via surface streets can easily exceed the 20-30 minutes that you'd like to achieve. Vernon Hills might be an option, as would Libertyville and surrounding areas.

Libertyville does a mostly walkable downtown along Milwaukee Ave, and 20 somethings are part of the scene, but not nearly as many as Chicago itself.

[cubssoxfan]

From Arlington Heights to Mundelein, I would figure 45 minute average. Might have some smoother 30-35 minute drives, might get some nasty 60 minute drives (snow storm-accident)

[newtothearea22]

Everyone, thanks so much for the information! This is all really great stuff for me to look into. Thanks!
Keep it coming please if you have any input!

[billiken]

I actually grew up in Mundelein. Libertyville is a good option if you want a short commute--there's a walkable downtown area with a few bars that get pretty full on the weekends. The Metra train is also just a block or 2 from downtown Libertyville. That being said, its nowhere close to the nightlife in Chicago.