NYC to Chicagoland with three small boys (Evanston, Deerfield: to rent, condo)

[Water 4 the Pool]

I am deep in the interview process with a big company in the northern suburbs and, if offered, I will likely accept the position. My wife and I are originally from the Midwest (me from MI and she from WI) but have lived in Manhattan for 14 years. Chicago has always been on our list of possible places to move but have no sense of what to expect when we get there.

We have three boys, ages 4 and under, so schools--public or private--are critical. We are seeking a real, established neighborhood, with good schools, parks and stores/shops. Walkability is key to us.

What's the reverse commute like? Could I use the train to get up to the northern suburbs or will I need a car?

A couple of questions:

1. I grew up on Lake Michigan, so being close to the lake and parks/playgrounds/beaches is important to me.
2. Would it make sense to rent a loft/condo for a year before buying a place? Our oldest hasn't started kindergarten yet, so we have some flexibility on this front.
3. I'm Swedish, so can I get lutefisk?!?!

Streeterville? Old Town? Any thoughts would be appreciated. My mom is from Chicago (relocated to southwest MI) but hasn't lived there in 40 years.

Please no NYC bashing! We really love Manhattan and the opportunities for our kids are incomparable, but the expense is so insane ($35k for our kindergarten of choice) that it's time for something new...and maybe this is it.

Cheers!

P.S.--I'm going to put this on the Chicago suburbs board, too, in case your're wondering why it looks familiar to you.

[chirack]

In theory you can use Metra to get to the North burbs assuming the burb has a station. In reality public transit is much more set up to bring people into the city than the other way around. You may find that the Metra may not fit your schedule or there might not be transportation from the station to your place of work.

[oakparkdude]

It's unlikely that the job will be located within walking distance to a Metra station. Many of the large companies do run shuttle buses for their employees so check into that. If you're willing/able to bear the expense, you might be able to leave a car at the suburban Metra station to drive to work. Each suburb has different parking regulations for their commuter lots.

Alternatively, you could live in a dense, walkable part of a suburb (such as near downtown Evanston) and drive to work.

[aragx6]

Without knowing exactly where you'll be working it's hard to say if you'll be able to commute via public transit. It's certainly a possibility, and if you can make it work I highly suggest it.

I always suggest folks rent for a year first if they can. Chicago is a large city full of unique neighborhoods. You owe it to yourself to discover which one works for your family the best.

[Jandur]

You will see families in all sorts of neighborhoods in Chicago. It really depends on what type of living you want, and your income of course.

[Water 4 the Pool]

More data--likely working around Deerfield, IL. Housing budget is really flexible, so that may not be the primary determiner of where we live.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by Water 4 the Pool

More data--likely working around Deerfield, IL. Housing budget is really flexible, so that may not be the primary determiner of where we live.

There is a Metra to Deerfield but I doubt your office is within walking distance of it (I don't think many are). On top of that, you would have to go to Union Station every morning, and unless you live right next door, you're just adding more time to your commute. It seems pretty likely that you'll be driving, which will probably take an hour or so depending on the traffic. Depending on where you live. A monthly parking spot (to rent) is $200-300/mo or so.

You'll probably get a lot of different opinions as to where to live on this board, since everyone has their opinions. That being said the more dense/established neighborhoods that have families and walkability would probably be Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Old Town, Gold Coast. Streeterville and River North are also dense and walkable, but don't have many, if any parks. I don't think it would be very conducive to raising a family there.

Personally if I were in your situation I'd look at Roscoe Village first, then probably Gold Coast and Lincoln Park. I'm sure others can add suggestions though.

[oakparkdude]

So is there a viable means to get to your job from the nearest Metra station?

[Chitownohioan]

Originally Posted by Jandur

On top of that, you would have to go to Union Station every morning, and unless you live right next door, you're just adding more time to your commute.

Wait why does she have to go to Union Station every morning? If she lived in Lincolnwood, couldn't she drive to the Edgebrook station and park there and then catch the train to the Deerfield station?

[jsk1983]

Originally Posted by Chitownohioan

Wait why does she have to go to Union Station every morning? If she lived in Lincolnwood, couldn't she drive to the Edgebrook station and park there and then catch the train to the Deerfield station?

I think she wants to live in the city.