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Old 11-05-2010, 04:19 PM
 
15 posts, read 31,301 times
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LOL thanks Jesse, Engineering schoolpaid off
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Old 11-08-2010, 03:52 PM
 
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If you take metra you need to make sure that there is transportation from the station to your place of work. Some burbs are not very walkable and few have good public transit.
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Old 11-08-2010, 04:05 PM
 
Location: Chicago
4,688 posts, read 10,110,386 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chirack View Post
If you take metra you need to make sure that there is transportation from the station to your place of work. Some burbs are not very walkable and few have good public transit.
This. If there is transportation from the West Chicago stop to your place of bidness, then West Loop it up.

Otherwise, I'd say you're better off close to the downtown areas of Naperville, St. Charles, or Geneva.
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Old 11-08-2010, 08:29 PM
 
Location: Oak Park, IL
5,525 posts, read 13,955,364 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chirack View Post
If you take metra you need to make sure that there is transportation from the station to your place of work. Some burbs are not very walkable and few have good public transit.
The OP states that his job is right by the Metra station in West Chicago.
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Old 11-08-2010, 10:27 PM
 
2,756 posts, read 4,415,078 times
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I'd also think about Forest Park - the suburb directly west of Oak Park. Specifically, apartments within a few blocks of Madison St (which runs East/West in parallel with the main expressway nearby). That area has developed a lot over the years. Many bars/pubs (if you like that....), places to eat, great hardware store, ok bakery, Starbucks (+/-), and of course an archery store... a cigar lounge... junk shops. A hodge podge. It will also be a little cheaper for apartments, as the town is a bit more middle/working class.

Oak Park is a bit more family oriented, and honestly their "downtown" area is kinda lame and more chain-filled by comparison. But a huge bonus is that there is now a Trader Joe's in Oak Park, lots of other big grocery stores and a Costco opening soon nearby. Useful. No bars in Oak Park per se, but several restaurants with bar areas in them. Some decent places to eat, a few scattered coffee shops of interest (but the best is in Forest Park imo), but fewer places to hang out that have character. But yes, more tree lined streets, great public library, nice farmer's market all summer/fall long and a nice progressive place to live. It will be a very comfortable transition from Buffalo.

I still don't envy the commute though. It will be a little painful at times.
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Old 11-08-2010, 11:57 PM
 
4,152 posts, read 7,945,525 times
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The commute from Oak Park to West Chicago will be difficult in my opinion. I would not want to drive it. Why not explore living in Naperville or Wheaton. There are trains that go into the city or you can drive, as there are good roads. There are more young people than you think in these places. From what I can see from my son's friends, about half of them opt to live in the city and half prefer to live in the suburbs. The surrounding suburbs near West Chicago are a lot nicer than Berwyn which is quite a hike and a drive away from West Chicago.
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Old 11-09-2010, 12:16 AM
 
Location: Not where you ever lived
11,535 posts, read 30,273,634 times
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Oak Park Tourist - Touring, Living and Working in Oak Park, Illinois

I like Oak Park. You may be able to get a short lease of say six months while you explore the city. You may find OP is a good fit for you.
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Old 11-09-2010, 07:12 AM
 
Location: Oak Park, IL
5,525 posts, read 13,955,364 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ToriaT View Post
The commute from Oak Park to West Chicago will be difficult in my opinion. I would not want to drive it.
Nor would I. Luckily, since the job is right next to the Metra station the OP won't need to drive.
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Old 11-09-2010, 08:17 AM
 
Location: Lake Arlington Heights, IL
5,479 posts, read 12,268,404 times
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The issue with Metra is since this is a reverse commute, the schedule is more limited.
Union Pacific / West (UP-W) Schedule
AM has a train leaving OP at 7:55 arriving West Chicago 8:37 or leaving 6:47 arriving 7:24
PM has train leaving WC 4:45 arriving OP 5:29 or leaving 5:45 arriving 6:29
By car I'm guessing 45 minutes, 60 minutes or bit longer on heavy traffic/bad weather days. Roosevelt and North Av would NOT be the best routes. Eisenhower (I-290) to I-88 to rte 59. From rte 59 it's 10-15 minutes into West Chicago.
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Old 11-09-2010, 08:20 AM
 
Location: Oak Park, IL
5,525 posts, read 13,955,364 times
Reputation: 3908
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubssoxfan View Post
The issue with Metra is since this is a reverse commute, the schedule is more limited.
Union Pacific / West (UP-W) Schedule
AM has a train leaving OP at 7:55 arriving West Chicago 8:37 or leaving 6:47 arriving 7:24
PM has train leaving WC 4:45 arriving OP 5:29 or leaving 5:45 arriving 6:29
By car I'm guessing 45 minutes, 60 minutes or bit longer on heavy traffic/bad weather days. Roosevelt and North Av would NOT be the best routes. Eisenhower (I-290) to I-88 to rte 59. From rte 59 it's 10-15 minutes into West Chicago.
I take that line almost every day. It's not perfect, bit for most commuters train service on the reverse commute should be adequate.
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