SAFE Single Family Home under $250k in Chicago? (Irving, Albany: foreclosure, insurance)

[chet everett]

My take is a little different. I would much prefer a neighborhood in which there are rarely if ever any need for police. I understand that occasionally even a well off family has someone snap and bad things happen, but the thought that "a good domestic disturbance that proves cops come right out" being a good thing sound to me like a SERIOUS case of rationalization overiding rationality -- domestic disturbances OFTEN escalate into violence, at the least they are DISRUPTIVE to trying to have a nice peaceful family life of your own!

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by chet everett

My take is a little different. I would much prefer a neighborhood in which there are rarely if ever any need for police. I understand that occasionally even a well off family has someone snap and bad things happen, but the thought that "a good domestic disturbance that proves cops come right out" being a good thing sound to me like a SERIOUS case of rationalization overiding rationality -- domestic disturbances OFTEN escalate into violence, at the least they are DISRUPTIVE to trying to have a nice peaceful family life of your own!

Thanks for sharing.

[Vlajos]

I would much prefer utopia.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

I would much prefer utopia.

Utopia & Oakbrook Terrace History - City of Oakbrook Terrace*



My sister's home in Lincoln Square is adjacent to a 6 flat. Before she bought the place she was worried that it might be a negative. We looked up the stats for police calls to the address and the place was clean. It really adds to your piece of mind knowing the neighbors won't be brawling -- even if they are married a knife is still an awfully messy way to make your point...

[Runuova]

Utopia does come at a premium price. $$$$$

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Runuova

Utopia does come at a premium price. $$$$$

Good point!

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by Pbranch

I am 28 yo white female living alone with 16 month old son and 6 yo miniature pinscher. I am moving to Chicago to pursue my MBA at DePaul. I am looking for a single family home in the city, preferably close to DePaul, and not too far from O'hare, with SOME kind of grass in the yard, a fence, and hopefully a garage. Central air would be nice, but I understand I will be looking at very old, small houses. Something with character would be nice, and would live to avoid a neighborhood with lots of duplex homes. I need a safe area to walk my son and not worry about getting followed home at night, preferably with a close park and transportation. I like to go out, so decent bars within a short cab ride would be nice. I have found tons of houses in my price range, but have no clue which areas are too ghetto and which would be ok. I am really looking to stay under $200k b/c the taxes are SO high, but could go a little over for the right situation. Rent to own would also be an option. Lower taxes and decent public elementary schools are also a priority! A list of neighborhoods that fit the bill would be great!

Actually one of the things the city of Chicago really has going for it is one of the lowest effective property tax rates of any large city in the country.

[chet everett]

...OBT is one of the more "value priced" towns in eastern DuPage Co. / west Cook Co.

An awful lot of the homes are sandwiched by the retail intensive corridors along Rte 83/22nd/Roosevelt Rd, schools perform pretty well but a HUGE step down from the stellar achievement of Hinsdale 181 or Oak Brook 53, there is no real "town center" like you get along the BNSF or UP-W lines, even the park district, while quite nice for what it offers, does not have the trails and golf course / polo field panache of Oak Brooks' Park District and Sports Core...

But it terms of safety Oakbrook Terrace is top shelf -- the small number of rentals are well policed, the excellent traffic management makes the area unattractive to burglars, good communication between residents and law enforcement makes for quick reporting of anything suspicious...

Originally Posted by Runuova

Utopia does come at a premium price. $$$$$

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by chet everett

...OBT is one of the more "value priced" towns in eastern DuPage Co. / west Cook Co.

An awful lot of the homes are sandwiched by the retail intensive corridors along Rte 83/22nd/Roosevelt Rd, schools perform pretty well but a HUGE step down from the stellar achievement of Hinsdale 181 or Oak Brook 53, there is no real "town center" like you get along the BNSF or UP-W lines, even the park district, while quite nice for what it offers, does not have the trails and golf course / polo field panache of Oak Brooks' Park District and Sports Core...

But it terms of safety Oakbrook Terrace is top shelf -- the small number of rentals are well policed, the excellent traffic management makes the area unattractive to burglars, good communication between residents and law enforcement makes for quick reporting of anything suspicious...

And drive one to commit suicide...

[chet everett]

I dunno -- OP is looking for low priced homes. This one is way way under their budget: 1S561 MARSHALL Rd, OAK BROOK TERRACE, IL 60181 | MLS# 07741687

If the take classes at the DePaul Loop campus it is probably 40 minutes in average traffic, off peak much less. DePaul also has suburban sites nearer. House has an awesome yard for the dog. Central location ought to make transition to any employer pretty easy...

Now mind you the OP has not been back to fill us in as to whether they want / need to be close to Lincoln Park, and this certainly has nothing like an urban vibe, but as far a safe place for someone with 16 month old it would be hard to beat the value.