Small Town Feel w/ in 45 mins. of Children's Memorial Hospital? (Chicago: middle-class, apartments)

[marchesefam]

Hi all!

Hoping you can help... We currently live in the greater Phoenix,
Arizona area and we are looking to relocate.

A little about us:
We are in our early 30's, the parents of a special needs (heart
defect) daughter who is adopted. We are looking for the idyllic
"quaint" area. I grew up outside of San Francisco but went to high
school in Sheboygan, WI and my husband grew up in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming. We like the smaller communities and we're looking for a small
town feel with some amenities. I'd like a community where one can get
involved, one with good schools, a middle-class cost of living, and
very safe. My daughter will require numerous heart surgeries over the
course of her life, so we're looking at the top 25 pediatric
cardiology facilities and searching a 45 mile radius around the area.

In Arizona, kids can't do sports in the summer because of the heat. No
kids play outside, and after 5 years in my current home, I still don't
know most of my neighbors. I'd like a town where kids play outside,
the neighbors know one another, the town goes to the high school
football games.

My husband is a claims adjuster for a large insurance company and
works from home, so we're very flexible. I am a stay-at-home mother,
so being able to do things with my child is important.

I enjoy a milder climate, but I'm flexible.

I appreciate your help!

[Anthera]

Libertyville.

[marchesefam]

Too expensive! I would like to stay in a decent home at the 300k or below mark. Other ideas?

[fairmarketvalue]

Originally Posted by marchesefam

Too expensive! I would like to stay in a decent home at the 300k or below mark. Other ideas?

FYI, Children's Memorial partnered with Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. Many of Children's specialists, including pediatric cardiologists, service this branch. Winfield is a beautiful little community, with affordable housing. Additionally, you might want to look into the very eastern side of Winfield, as it is within the boundaries of Wheaton School Dist. 200- a phenomenal dist. We happen to live on the northwest side of Wheaton, so our children go to school with many "Winfield residents", as well as the elementary school annexed into Winfield a couple of years ago, even though it's part of Dist 200. Please let me know if Children's Memorial at Central DuPage is doable. You could have the best of both worlds, and no commute downtown. Good luck. PS- Jackson Hole, beautiful, beautiful place!!!

[linicx]

Have you ever give Oak Park any thought? K-8 isn't nearly as bad as the highschool, there is a private highschool nearby. It's a charming village with big mature trees, beauful architecture, diverse. It's a family town. Like any town in any city, it is only as good as you want it ot be. You can also take a short term lease on an apartment while you find the perfect home.

Here's a link to Oak Park: Oak Park Tourist - Touring, Living and Working in Oak Park, Illinois
Click on Sample Apartments: Oak Park Regional Housing Center

[Eusibius2]

Are you talking 45 miles? Or 45 minutes? The two are completely different here in Chicago area. 45 minutes during rush hour could mean you live only a mile or two away. 45 minutes on a weekend morning could broaden your scope A LOT. Are you concerned about regularly scheduled appointments? Or preparing to make urgent or emergency trips within 45 minutes?

If it's the first, then Arlington Heights has a lot to offer - similar to what you want. Home prices in my area are for the most part around $250 to $300. There are also some that are well above that, but the community has so much to offer. Plus, Northwest Community Hospital is right here (associated with Children's Memorial) and Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital is also within 20 minutes of here in Park Ridge (another nice town, but closer to Chicago).

[edit] - Wait - I just noticed that you posted this same message in 13 or so different cities! With your daughter's condition, you may want to find a neighborhood based off of the location of the hospital first. Looks like you have a lot on your plate...