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05-29-2007, 12:31 PM
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Member
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Join Date: May 2007
11 posts, read 14,647 times
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Moving from Detroit to Chicago area- need advice
My wife may have an opportunity to transfer to the Chicago area with her company in the next few months. We were both born & raised in the suburbs of Detroit and all of our friends & family are here. We also have 2 kids (ages 4 & 8) in private school, live in as very nice, safe family neighborhood & have short drives to work. Unfortunately the economy here is in horrible shape because of the downfall of the Big 3 domestic car companies & things are looking pretty bleak. All that said, a move to the Chicago area doesn't sound bad. Trouble is neither one of us know much other than the city itself (which is great) & would be looking to live in the burbs. Her office would be in Elgin. I would most likely be in the city as I work in advertising. Where can we live that has good schools (public or private), relatively low crime, nice neighbors, with better than average housing ($400-$600k range) that is in between Elgin & downtown Chicago with a comute that won't kill me.
Any suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated!
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05-29-2007, 01:09 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
8 posts, read 9,141 times
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I think we'll see this question come up more often concerning Mich- to -Il. I have posted it recently. I use to live in Chicago and work in the burbs. Elgin is sort of a long trip to make daily to work. About 40-50 miles one way,depending from the starting point. If I were you, I would plan on living near the train system. You will notice the public transportation bus/train entirely blows away what Michigan has to offer. Not surprisingly if you know what I mean. Plenty of kiss and ride stations lets you live with options where you don't need to be right next to a train station. Be careful of one thing, Chicago " forced " plenty of gang bangers out into the burbs. It will be the opposite of what you are used to, not including wanna-be MTV gansters that still hide under mommies bed when things get rough. The burbs in s.e. Mich are relatively free of true gangs, while you seems like you can afford to move away from that in Ill. It's a great city, but it has some huge traffic problems. Small price to pay for the business/work opportunities that Detroit can't even dream of. Good luck.
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05-29-2007, 01:37 PM
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11 posts, read 14,647 times
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Thanks for the reply. I can already tell this board is going to be very helpful. The good news is my wife will be Elgin but won't have to travel to the city. Looking for something in-between as i will most likely be the train guy.
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05-29-2007, 01:41 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
8 posts, read 9,141 times
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Please look carefully as Elgin has nice places as well as a big gang problem last I live in IL. I forgot if it is Metra/rail system, but they will have all the stops and you can plan from there. Buy a monthly rail pass and you will save on a lot of gas/toll expenses.
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05-29-2007, 02:58 PM
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Rangers FC supporter
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western Chicagoland
17,206 posts, read 18,812,453 times
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South Elgin might be your best bet, but there are no trains that go downtown. Have you looked into St. Charles, Wasco or Geneva? Those are nice little towns (no so little anymore) and Geneva offers Metra service. A quick 15-20 minute drive on Randall Rd and youll be in Elgin. But like someone said, parts of Elgin are full of problems, other parts are quite beautiful. The town is doing a good job of cleaning up Ill give it that.
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05-29-2007, 03:05 PM
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11 posts, read 14,647 times
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I think I'd rather live between Elgin & downtown Chicago. Any suggestions?
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05-29-2007, 03:22 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2007
610 posts, read 623,287 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Smith
I think I'd rather live between Elgin & downtown Chicago. Any suggestions?
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Arlington Heights or Palatine would be good in-between points. They both have good public schools with access to the Metra trains for you to go downtown and I-90 for your wife to drive to Elgin. They're also both towns that have a good amount of housing stock in your price range. |
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05-29-2007, 05:42 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2006
241 posts, read 313,222 times
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River Grove, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park and many other places are on the rail line between Chicago and Elgin. What'd I do in your situation is to hop the train from Chicago and Elgin and watch for some place on the way that looks like where you could comfortably live. Keep in mind that an ordinary house out that way may be expensive- the ones in the suburbs I mentioned are in the $300K range.
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05-29-2007, 06:34 PM
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54 posts, read 70,796 times
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Schaumburg or Hoffman Estates may be to your liking. Good Luck!
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05-30-2007, 09:23 AM
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11 posts, read 14,647 times
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What are the thoughts on Elmhurst, Glen Elyn or Wheaton?
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