Moving from DC to Chicago (Lincoln, Roscoe: apartment, condo, townhouses)

[DCtoKC]

My wife and daughter (10 months) are contemplating a move from DC's Dupont Circle to Chicago. What areas, if any, are in/near Chicago where we could buy a rowhouse or home for anywhere from 350 to 500K, and send our daughter to a good public school.

For those familiar with DC, we would be interested in a Chicago area similar to Dupont Circle, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, etc., with good public schools.

Thanks for your help.

[chicubs]

IMO you will really like Chicago if you enjoy Dupont circle. A lot of areas with that kind of restaurant/bar scene and great for walking around. Look at River North/Gold Coast/ Old town/ Lincoln Park/ Bucktown. With a kid I would think you might look at the Old town/ Lincoln park area more. The problem is going to be finding a place you like for the price. Also there are no "good" public schools in Chicago. Plan on a private school.

[soulful]

I am very familiar with Dupont Circle and Woodley Park. The areas that come closed would be East Lakeview or Lincoln Park in Chicago. The intersection of N Clark and W Diversey remind me of Dupont in some ways due to the vibrancy. You can check listing for 60657 (Lakeview) and 60614 (Lincoln Pk) at realtor.com or whatever site you may prefer.

I am concerned you will only be able to find a condo or maybe a townhome at the upper end of your range. When you say rowhouse are you referring to the one's on the side streets near Dupont Circle that are 3 stores and sometimes have an extra apartment in the basement? Something like that is going to be more than 500K in these neighborhoods most of the time. But take a look at the listings and see what fits your price range.

I am not that familiar with public schools for all ages. I know Nettlehorst in East Lakeview is supposed to be good (elementary). You didn't mention your daughter's age or grade.

There are other neighborhoods that are nice for families (such as Lincoln Square). Other posters may have other suggestions or give you more info about schools

[Vlajos]

Coonley, Bell, Blaine, Audubon, Nettlehorst, Burley, Peirce are all good CPS schools. There are more of course, these are all open enrollment schools for neighborhood kids. All in very nice areas of the City.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by chicubs

IMO you will really like Chicago if you enjoy Dupont circle. A lot of areas with that kind of restaurant/bar scene and great for walking around. Look at River North/Gold Coast/ Old town/ Lincoln Park/ Bucktown. With a kid I would think you might look at the Old town/ Lincoln park area more. The problem is going to be finding a place you like for the price. Also there are no "good" public schools in Chicago. Plan on a private school.

That's not true at all!

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

That's not true at all!

Exactly, total nonsense!

[chet everett]

I think soulful is correct -- OP's budget is such that it would be uncommon to get a row house in desirable neighborhood. If the OP wants to live in East Lakeview or Lincoln Park they will probably be looking at condo at their price point.

In other neighborhoods, from Lincoln Square to the portions of Lincoln Park nearer to DePaul they might be able to find an un-improved bungalow or frame home, but so many of them have been torn down for larger / more profitable multi-units that I would not hold breath...


There are still some "belts"of row houses in Bronzeville or Logan Square,but fall off in school situation is pretty dramatic.

Depending on age of child(ren) the school situation might really be huge hassle. Selective enrollment process is very disruptive even in parts of Chicago with otherwise desirable housing stock.

Originally Posted by soulful

I am very familiar with Dupont Circle and Woodley Park. The areas that come closed would be East Lakeview or Lincoln Park in Chicago. The intersection of N Clark and W Diversey remind me of Dupont in some ways due to the vibrancy. You can check listing for 60657 (Lakeview) and 60614 (Lincoln Pk) at realtor.com or whatever site you may prefer.

I am concerned you will only be able to find a condo or maybe a townhome at the upper end of your range. When you say rowhouse are you referring to the one's on the side streets near Dupont Circle that are 3 stores and sometimes have an extra apartment in the basement? Something like that is going to be more than 500K in these neighborhoods most of the time. But take a look at the listings and see what fits your price range.

I am not that familiar with public schools for all ages. I know Nettlehorst in East Lakeview is supposed to be good (elementary). You didn't mention your daughter's age or grade.

There are other neighborhoods that are nice for families (such as Lincoln Square). Other posters may have other suggestions or give you more info about schools

[SmartGXL]

There are not many row houses in Lakeview or Lincoln Park. There is one section of row houses on Oakdale Ave, and IIRC correctly one of the Kennedy family members lives there. There are some townhouses sprinkled around here and there, but most of the area are 3-flat condo buildings, where the units are stacked on top of each other, as opposed to side by side.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by DCtoKC

My wife and daughter (10 months) are contemplating a move from DC's Dupont Circle to Chicago. What areas, if any, are in/near Chicago where we could buy a rowhouse or home for anywhere from 350 to 500K, and send our daughter to a good public school.

For those familiar with DC, we would be interested in a Chicago area similar to Dupont Circle, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, etc., with good public schools.

Thanks for your help.

You can probably find a place for 500k or so in Roscoe Village, a single family unit. It's very walkable and pretty family friendly.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Coonley, Bell, Blaine, Audubon, Nettlehorst, Burley, Peirce are all good CPS schools. There are more of course, these are all open enrollment schools for neighborhood kids. All in very nice areas of the City.

These are all good schools that you are guaranteed admission to if you live in the attendance area - no lotteries or testing to worry about at all. They're also in nice areas to live as well. I'd also look at houses in the attendance boundaries for Ravenswood and Burr.

Chicago doesn't have nearly as many rowhouses as East Coast cities, but it doesn't seem like you're too hung up on that. If a row house works for you in DC then Worker's Cottages or bungalows would be a good Chicago alternative.