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Old 11-01-2009, 10:25 PM
 
Location: Macao
16,257 posts, read 43,168,834 times
Reputation: 10257

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Quote:
Originally Posted by oakparkdude View Post
So what do you consider not expensive? $100k? $200k? $500k? $1 million? $1k?
200K is not expensive. 500K is too expensive. 300K is about the upper end for me. I'd prefer 200-250K though. Two bedroom minimum with a kid here. Don't know if that is unrealistic though.

I have two MA degrees, but both are fairly worthless, I fall fairly solid into the equivalent of a middle class wage earner.
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Old 11-01-2009, 10:28 PM
 
28,455 posts, read 85,332,804 times
Reputation: 18728
Over educated and under paid is not an uncommon affliction of many in places from Wicker Park to Oak Park and Evanston...
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Old 11-01-2009, 10:30 PM
 
Location: Oak Park, IL
5,525 posts, read 13,944,069 times
Reputation: 3908
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiger Beer View Post
200K is not expensive. 500K is too expensive. 300K is about the upper end for me. I'd prefer 200-250K though. Two bedroom minimum with a kid here. Don't know if that is unrealistic though.

I have two MA degrees, but both are fairly worthless, I fall fairly solid into the equivalent of a middle class wage earner.
Shouldn't be a problem getting a 2 bedroom condo in Oak Park or Forest Park. Probably quite a few decent areas in the city of Chicago in that price range too. As always, decent public schools in the city of Chicago are a concern, which is one reason why most middle class parents end up in the suburbs.
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Old 11-01-2009, 10:43 PM
 
Location: Not where you ever lived
11,535 posts, read 30,250,015 times
Reputation: 6426
You can get a short term lease in OaK Park while you look for a home or an apartment. It is a charming village with some wonderful architechure and diverse culture. One link has a video of SAMPLE apartments with size and clost. The other is a website for the area. The non-profic group that offers the Sample Apartment website can help you get settled. Its a family area. Also Chicago has several meetup groups for parents with children.

Sample Apartments: Oak Park Regional Housing Center
Village of Oak Park Oak Park Tourist - Touring, Living and Working in Oak Park, Illinois
Chicago meetup groups. Search results - Meetup.com
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Old 11-02-2009, 08:46 AM
 
Location: Chicago, Tri-Taylor
5,014 posts, read 9,454,222 times
Reputation: 3994
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiger Beer View Post
I'd prefer 200-250K though. Two bedroom minimum with a kid here.
Oak Park is good. Also, Berwyn borders Oak Park to the south and there are plenty of Chicago bungalows in that price range in today's market. The Metra runs right through the downtown "Depot District" with 3 stops (15-20 minute train ride to the Loop).
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Old 11-02-2009, 08:55 AM
 
Location: Suburbs of Chicago
1,070 posts, read 2,918,882 times
Reputation: 265
Geez it seems none of the advice I call myself giving is worth two cents here...
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Old 11-02-2009, 09:12 AM
 
Location: Chicago, Tri-Taylor
5,014 posts, read 9,454,222 times
Reputation: 3994
That's why I sometimes put "just my $.02" after my posts, LOL!
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Old 11-02-2009, 09:17 AM
 
Location: Suburbs of Chicago
1,070 posts, read 2,918,882 times
Reputation: 265
Quote:
Originally Posted by BRU67 View Post
That's why I sometimes put "just my $.02" after my posts, LOL!
Haha, yeah. I should start thinking that...
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Old 11-02-2009, 10:10 AM
 
Location: Barrington
63,919 posts, read 46,707,495 times
Reputation: 20674
Given you do not need to get your child into a school on day one, why not rent and get to know the area.

Evanston and Oak Park are fine areas for young families. The commute on public transportation to the city is good. Both areas are very walkable. Evanston has proximity to the lake.

Forest Park is another alternative. It's like many decent neighborhoods, in Queens.
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Old 11-02-2009, 10:27 AM
 
Location: Lake Arlington Heights, IL
5,479 posts, read 12,257,268 times
Reputation: 2848
Suburbs with CTA service that have a city vibe: Evanston and Oak Park. Suburbs with CTA service that are a bit more suburban: Skokie, Forest Park and Park Ridge (close enough to Cumberland CTA station).
Suburbs with good Metra service and decent, small downtown areas: Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Palatine, Glen Ellyn- any many more along other Metra lines that I am not as familiar with.

I think the rent first suggestion is outstanding. Housing is not a very liquid investment right now. Easy to buy- not so easy to sell.
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