Looking for a trendy/young neighborhood between Hoffman Estates and Evanston, IL (Chicago: neighborhoods, living in)

[aakashn]

Hi all,

My wife and I will be moving to the Chicago area in July. I will be working in Hoffman Estates and she will be working in Evanston. We are both still relatively young (26 yrs old) and would like to live in an area that has some nice night life bars/restaurants, but at the same time would like to keep the commute under 30 minutes if possible. I have not yet been to the area, but from research Edison Park looks like a viable option. Can anyone recommend some other nice neighborhoods that might work for us?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate all the help.

[nowincal11]

The criteria is a bit tough, but if you are willing to go up to 45 minutes for at least one of you, the options greatly increase.

Edison Park is a very family oriented neighborhood of the city. It is very residential and suburban, despite being one of Chicago's neighborhoods. Most residents of EP are city employees who are required to maintain a city address. There is little nightlife, although there are some good and diverse restaurants not far along Devon Avenue. You do have Blue Line El access in EP, so if you plan on doing weekend activities downtown or elsewhere in the city, it is great.

As you get closer to the city, the neighborhoods cater to more young professionals on the North (Lakeview, Lincoln Park, even Uptown) and NW side (Bucktown, Wicker Park), but your commute to Hoffman Estates will be more than 45 minutes. The one to Evanston from the north side will be 30 and from the NW side will be 45 minutes.

My suggestion is live in Evanston, which is full of young professionals, hip, and trendy and you have the 45- 50 minute commute to Hoffman Estates, while your wife has the easier commute. If you did chose Lakeview, her commute would be around 30 minutes, but yours would be well over an hour due to the traffic of getting to the Kennedy and the actual traffic between the city and O'Hare in both directions. Plus, the Kennedy (I-90) is the most congested in Chicagoland.

I suggest Evanston in addition to the young professional factor because you can take Touhy to Rand to Golf Roads right to Hoffman. The commute will be a bit rough in winter with stoirms, but you avoid the highways, making it better.

If you lived in Schaumburg, which is about 10 minutes from Hoffman and 45 from Evanston, there is some nightlife, but not much. From what you describe, you want a very cultural area with lots to do. Most of the suburbs don't have that. Evanston is probably your best bet, though Edison Park is not bad because you are on the Blue Line for the El. If you only plan to explore the city on weekends, EP is great.

[aakashn]

Wow, thank you for the detailed reply. I wouldn't mind increasing my commute to 45 minutes. What do you think about the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood area? I presume I'd still be hitting a lot of traffic around OHare in the mornings living in those areas. What time would I need to leave to avoid traffic?

[slow_nerve_action]

Originally Posted by aakashn

Wow, thank you for the detailed reply. I wouldn't mind increasing my commute to 45 minutes. What do you think about the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood area? I presume I'd still be hitting a lot of traffic around OHare in the mornings living in those areas. What time would I need to leave to avoid traffic?

A friend of mine once made the commute from Lincoln Square to Hoffman Estates, and it ranged from 45-75 minutes....

[nowincal11]

The earlier you go in the morning the better. The traffic to the Kennedy is tough and between the city and O'Hare is tough. This is also true in the afternoon. Some days will be 45 minutes and others 75 like the above poster said.

Check out Irving Park. I should have mentioned it. It is become more young professional and has some cool stuff to do, plus is close to downtown. If you leave by 7, you will make it to Hoffman by 8. On the way home, if traffic is real bad around O'Hare, exit at Touhy, take it to Milwaukee, and a few minutes south on Milwaukee you will be in Irving Park. From Irving Park to Evanston is around 30 minutes.

[aakashn]

Thanks for all the replies.

Not sure if this makes sense or not, but if my commute is going to be roughly an hour. What about living near the Clybourn metra station. Taking the UP-NW to Palantine and driving the remaining 7 miles to Hoffman Estates from there? That would eliminate the traffic problem, but would create a whole new issue with parking. I could also do the same thing from Irving Park as it has a stop on the Metra UP-NW as well.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...8&z=11&start=0

[nowincal11]

Some METRA stops allow overnight parking. Some don't. You have to call and ask. You could also park in downtown Palatine in a shopping center parking lot (one of the big ones) overnight. Chances are they won't catch you, but I'm not sure to be honest. The commute time will be roughly the same, but you will save gas money and mental stress from sitting in traffic.

[aakashn]

It seems like there is parking available for $40/month.
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I don't know how I feel about leaving my car there, but just trying to take a look at all the available options. How are the neighborhoods within walking distance of the Irving Park Metra or Clybourn Metra?

[nowincal11]

Irving Park is pretty safe. The NW suburban areas are also pretty safe. METRA has a police department that patrols the parking lots.

[aakashn]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to look around the Clybourn Metra area and see what I can find.