on chicago train line but with land (Wheaton, Glen Ellyn: condo, low crime)

[eli499]

Hi,
I currently live in Barrington, and am considering moving to another area of Chicago suburbs. We want land, preferably around an acre, with trees. Have that here, but cost of living is so high, the residents are "ultra-sophisticated," and the high school is so big. Looking for a simpler lifestyle, but must stay on the train line for the commute to city. Characteristics we want other than land: we would like to stay on the southern half of Chicago, low crime, educated, friendly, cohesive neighborhood, and good schools. Hope to stay under $450. Am considering Geneva, and Elburn. Would like to consider Lemont, but seems too high for homes with land. Any thoughts on these communities or other suggestions?

[lunachick]

My husband must relocate to chicago for work and i have been doing internet research mostly, as i haven't been to see it yet. I have the same issues as you. We are moving from massanutten, VA. Where the high school is small but the town is smaller . I need some green around me and already did the "ultra soophisticate" in California 5 years ago. We are a well traveled family, that has been living the slow life lately.
I've gotten some good advice on this thread and i believe it was Steve-o who recommended Wheaton. Has it's own train station with a new one to open soon. The north hisgh school is award winning and the homes are a bit older with more mature trees and land...i've even come across a few with close to 1 acre lots.
Not that i'm an expert, but i do spend alot of time looking at the aerial photo's of homes to see if they are in a suburban labrynth.

[NannyinHE]

try Johnsburg, Spring Grove or McHenry

hope these help:

http://www.ci.mchenry.il.us/

http://johnsburg.org/

http://www.springgrovevillage.com/

FOR SCHOOL INFO IF YOU HAVE KIDS: http://www.schoolmatters.com/

I grew up in Johnsburg, went to the schools and I LOVED it.

[nanannie]

Lunachick it would be very hard to find "land" in Wheaton,it is all built up with very little open space for personal property.I agree with NannyinHE about the areas around Johnsburg etc.I am not familiar enough with the south suburbs

[rgb123]

I would agree with the spring grove / mchenry/ johnsburg suggestion....would add richmond too. I live out there (in a condo/apt. not ready to buy yet) but I love it -- haved lived many places myself but am from the fox lake area. I work in barrington....like it there too but understand your concerns.

the plus to richmond/spring grove area is the space, its relaxed, and its close to chain o lake state park and glacial park (my favorites) and its a great area to grow up in.....its more rural in nature but you have all the amenties of suburbs close by...and the metra is always close too, if you want to go to the city. -- oh and its an easy drive to lake geneva, wi -- which is also a plus.

[gardener34]

As an owner of a one acre lot in Kane county, I must warn you that any large sized lot is going to cost you lots of $$ in property taxes anywhere in the counties surrounding Chicagoland, i.e. Kane, Will, McHenry, Lake, Dupage, etc.

Hopefully going farther out will prevent this, but I am thinking sprawl may eventually catch up with you there also.

Geneva and Elburn are both pretty expensive. And both are in the middle of some building booms which you know are going to cause some growing pains.

[eli499]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Unfortunately, since my husband has to commute downtown most days, the Springgrove/McHenry/Johnsburg area would be too long travelling. I'm thinking that I could do with less land if I had a lot of trees for privacy. Since we'd like to move farther south from Barrington, I was thinking about Glen Ellyn, or Wheaton. Are there any opinions on the relative merits of the high schools?

[ahava]

Originally Posted by eli499

Since we'd like to move farther south from Barrington, I was thinking about Glen Ellyn, or Wheaton. Are there any opinions on the relative merits of the high schools?

Wheaton North is the best, followed closely by Glenbard South, and then Wheaton Warrenville. All three are great schools.

[NannyinHE]

www.schoolmatters.com

look up the school you are looking for and you'll get the ratings for it