Best south suburbs for a young, one-car family (Chicago, Berwyn: for sale, real estate market)

[tvida42]

My husband and I are looking to take advantage of the poss. extension of the tax credit and finally buy. We're looking to move to the south suburbs because we frequently travel to Michigan and spend at least an hour of a 4 to 5 hour trip crawling through the city up to Roger's Park.

Here's what we're looking for:

• Reasonably good schools (we won't likely be able to afford private, but I'm wiling to supplement her education with private classes here and there)
• Easy Metra access (walkable or bikeable - this is a deal breaker, since we can't afford another car)
• At least a little space (we've lived in tiny apts for 10 years and we're a bit tired of it)
• Diversity (we love RP)
• Access to green space
• A little character (We like the urban/suburban mix you find in RP, Oak Park, Berwyn, etc)
• Access to cultural arts resources for our little prodigy in training
• Lots of other families with young ones
• Price range: under $200,000

I've seen some info on this in the forums, but I'm looking for some recent opinions. Thoughts to share? Thanks!!

[scotty40]

I think the obvious answer is Homewood or Flossmoor.
By far- the highest scoring schools in the area... The Homewood Foundation for Excellence has fundraisers and various other activites that also support the grade schools. The older- downtown area of Homewood and Flossmoor have plenty of turn of the century homes.. Both have traditional downtowns with restraunts and shops- the metra stop is completely walkable from the residential district and has a 36 minute express train into the city. The Ravisloe area of Homewood and Old Flossmoor have the nicest older houses... Diversity is probably a little less than Rogers Park- and mostly a White/Black mix. Green space is abundant-H/F has an award winning park district. The Issac Walton preserve is right in Homewood and has walking trails, fishing etc. You can get a pretty good house in your price range- although I've seen less of the "good" houses up for sale in the last year with the real estate market crashing. We make it to the Michigan Dunes on the weekend in about an hour- even with traffic (now that the Bishop Ford has opened back up). Most of the crime in the area is related to a huge retail strip on Halsted that serves some less desirable areas. The crime rate is on a steady decline in the last three years... The police force is pretty tough (and seems to have that reputation within the less desirable areas). Its a pretty cool area- you should take a trip down and check it out one weekend...

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by scotty40

I think the obvious answer is Homewood or Flossmoor.
By far- the highest scoring schools in the area... The Homewood Foundation for Excellence has fundraisers and various other activites that also support the grade schools. The older- downtown area of Homewood and Flossmoor have plenty of turn of the century homes.. Both have traditional downtowns with restraunts and shops- the metra stop is completely walkable from the residential district and has a 36 minute express train into the city. The Ravisloe area of Homewood and Old Flossmoor have the nicest older houses... Diversity is probably a little less than Rogers Park- and mostly a White/Black mix. Green space is abundant-H/F has an award winning park district. The Issac Walton preserve is right in Homewood and has walking trails, fishing etc. You can get a pretty good house in your price range- although I've seen less of the "good" houses up for sale in the last year with the real estate market crashing. We make it to the Michigan Dunes on the weekend in about an hour- even with traffic (now that the Bishop Ford has opened back up). Most of the crime in the area is related to a huge retail strip on Halsted that serves some less desirable areas. The crime rate is on a steady decline in the last three years... The police force is pretty tough (and seems to have that reputation within the less desirable areas). Its a pretty cool area- you should take a trip down and check it out one weekend...

I second this...

[Sreno]

Sounds like you need me as your real estate agent. Call me, Sheila Reno licensed with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Specializing in the south suburbs of Chicago. I have just what you are looking for...708-362-8277!!!

[chet everett]

I think H-F is a viable alternative but there are other areas that would result in shorter travel times to Michicigan too.

Being under $200K is probably going to go farther in H-F than some places, but if you are willing to shop for some places that might need some updating you might do well in Brookfield or even LaGrange. Access to 294 or the Stevenson gives some alternatives to the getting into Michigan...

Given that there are some foreclosures and rather rough "stopped in the middle of remodel" places even in Western Springs, Elmhurst and Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills those all could represent an excellent choice too.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by tvida42

My husband and I are looking to take advantage of the poss. extension of the tax credit and finally buy. We're looking to move to the south suburbs because we frequently travel to Michigan and spend at least an hour of a 4 to 5 hour trip crawling through the city up to Roger's Park.

Here's what we're looking for:

• Reasonably good schools (we won't likely be able to afford private, but I'm wiling to supplement her education with private classes here and there)
• Easy Metra access (walkable or bikeable - this is a deal breaker, since we can't afford another car)
• At least a little space (we've lived in tiny apts for 10 years and we're a bit tired of it)
• Diversity (we love RP)
• Access to green space
• A little character (We like the urban/suburban mix you find in RP, Oak Park, Berwyn, etc)
• Access to cultural arts resources for our little prodigy in training
• Lots of other families with young ones
• Price range: under $200,000

I've seen some info on this in the forums, but I'm looking for some recent opinions. Thoughts to share? Thanks!!

You probably won't find anything in Oak Park for under 200k. But the Proksa Park area in Berwyn would seem to fit just what you describe. There are a lot of younger families in the area, who often have relocated here from the City and Oak Park. The park itself is beautiful and it's only a few blocks from the Metra (15-20 minutes to the Loop).

The neighborhood's elementary school, Emerson, just turned in a solid performance on the '09 ISAT (and outscored 5 of Oak Park's 8 elementary schools in terms of "meets or exceeds"). The Berwyn Arts Council and Berwyn CARES offer a decent array of cultural programs and events for young families, and are a good way to network with other young families in the area.

berwyn arts council

Citizens Aligned to Renew Education for Students

$200k would probably be at the very low end for the Proksa Park area but you could probably find something in or near it given the awful housing market. It's a good time to buy, as they say.

Good luck!

[NYrules]

You should have no problem finding a house... YES a HOUSE in old town Tinley Park in that price range. Tinley Park's downtown is located near 171st Street and Oak Park Ave. The area is mostly young families, in an excellent school district, safe, taxes are... well taxes. Sorry, but its in Crook County, so the taxes are a bit on the high side. The Metra station is located at 17300 S. Oak Park Ave. and has sidewalks lining both sides of Oak Park Ave. so it is very walkable to the train. There is plenty of shopping nearby in neighboring Orland Park, and tons of places to eat within a 10 minute drive of Tinley Park's downtown. Here's a little of what the area looks like on another typical beautiful Chicago day. Google Maps Anyhow, you get the idea. It's a nice little town.

[ImaloneJill]

Originally Posted by NYrules

You should have no problem finding a house... YES a HOUSE in old town Tinley Park in that price range. Tinley Park's downtown is located near 171st Street and Oak Park Ave. The area is mostly young families, in an excellent school district, safe, taxes are... well taxes. Sorry, but its in Crook County, so the taxes are a bit on the high side. The Metra station is located at 17300 S. Oak Park Ave. and has sidewalks lining both sides of Oak Park Ave. so it is very walkable to the train. There is plenty of shopping nearby in neighboring Orland Park, and tons of places to eat within a 10 minute drive of Tinley Park's downtown. Here's a little of what the area looks like on another typical beautiful Chicago day. Google Maps Anyhow, you get the idea. It's a nice little town.

There is also another Metra station on 80th Ave.
Downtown Tinley is going thru a renaissance right now and it is a good time to buy.
Frankfort is also a great town, LincolnWay schools can't be beat! Awesome downtown, can probably get a house in Frankfort square or old Frankfort for the price you can afford. High taxes, but great services and schools.

[cdc3217]

I'll throw BLue Island in the mix. Between nearby Beverly, BI's programs and other suburbs, you can very affordable cobble together a culturally rich yet inexpensive life for a young family. We love havingthe Beverly Art Center nearby, as well as being able to quicky go downtown via Metra. I have found the public schools have been good up to middle school, then I would recommend moving on. You'll get a good bang for your buck and a lot of lots are bigger than average. ANd transit is fantastic here. 2 MEtra lines and some Pace routes. Plus a walkable downtown with some of the necessities.

[ImaloneJill]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

I'll throw BLue Island in the mix. Between nearby Beverly, BI's programs and other suburbs, you can very affordable cobble together a culturally rich yet inexpensive life for a young family. We love havingthe Beverly Art Center nearby, as well as being able to quicky go downtown via Metra. I have found the public schools have been good up to middle school, then I would recommend moving on. You'll get a good bang for your buck and a lot of lots are bigger than average. ANd transit is fantastic here. 2 MEtra lines and some Pace routes. Plus a walkable downtown with some of the necessities.

Blue Island has some really cool architecture. It would be nice to see it turned around. St. Francis (Metro) Hosp. seems to be on another downward spiral-shame, great hospital.
Also some great restaurants-the Maple Tree Inn is a classic.
Not far from the South side Irish St. Pat's shindig and some of the prettiest bars around on Western Ave.
Eisenhower High School is actually a newer bldg. and has the potential to be a very good school-I know several of the teachers there (my daughter included) and they try hard to lift the standards of the school.