Which Neighborhood? (Chicago, Lincoln, Roscoe: daycare, home, buying)

[CJ and JJ]

US: Waspy; middle of the road to conservative political beliefs; late 30's with 19month old child who will need full-time daycare offsite. Father: elementary school teacher. Wife: Salesperson and works from home.

Need at least two bedrooms. Will be buying. Price range: no higher than $350.

My wife is from the area but hasn't lived there in 10 years.

Areas we're considering:
Currently looking at Lincoln Park, but we notice the obvious, that the further north one goes, the more space for the buck one gets. Somewhat of a conundrum.
Commute for husband is not an issue.
We like Lakeview, Bucktown, and Roscoe Village.
We like what we can get in Lincoln Square, but not familiar with the neighborhood.
Andersonville/Ranveswood has great deals but seems a bit too alternative in lifestyle for us, although I've heard there are a ton of young families there.
Don't know anything about Uptown. Is it sketchy in parts on the way up there from downtown?

We're moving from Manhattan, Upper East Side.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

CJ

[long101]

What do you want in a neighborhood? Bars, Restaurants, transportation, green space, ect?? Without knowing anything I would vote for Lincoln Square.

[aragx6]

Lincoln Square is probably your best bet. I'd look into it more if it were me as there are a ton of young families and your price point should get you into something decent around there. Roscoe Village/ West Lake View is also a good bet.

[jsk1983]

Why do you think Andersonville and Ravenswood is "alternative"?

[5Lakes]

I would say Roscoe village, Ravenswood, or Lincoln Square.

[Irishtom29]

I know some blue collar South Siders who are moving to Lincoln Square, I hope if the OP goes there he gets along with people who drop their Hs, say "sweet rolls" rather than "danish", vote Democratic and are Catholic. Not very Waspy, say, say.

[Payne222]

Originally Posted by emathias

Yeah, that was obvious, which is why we mocked you - coming across as homophobic bigots won't make you friends anywhere in Chicago.

Seriously? Yeah, I'll doubt he'll be making friends over in Boy's Town but just because the guy doesn't agree with gays doesn't mean we're gonna excommunicate him here.

[chet everett]

What did $350k get you on the Upper East Side of Manhattan?

I mean honestly, the thread in which there is a single guy looking for a town home under $400k had some possibilities, but with both parents working and a need for daycare I would be fairly concerned about having too long a commute...

[Aleking]

Lincoln Park and Lake View are the most conservative of those being considered.

[chet everett]

I don't really understand "conservative" in this context -- while I suppose in comparison to Andersonville or Boy's Town there are fewer openly "alternative lifestyles" sorts of encounters, the rowdiness of the nightclubs in Lake View certainly would not cause me to label them "conservative" not would Lincoln Park's largely liberal (and quite wealthy....) voting record earn it a conservative label in my book. Heck those that are recommending Lincoln Square kind of have me a little baffled -- basically all the businesses are very very very friendly toward the alternative lifestyles segment -- the higher disposable income of the largely childless couples pretty much makes doing so a business necessity.

Things are much quieter in Saugnash / Edgebrook, though budget becomes even more of concern.

I'd hubby going to be working for CPS? Where? It can be quite a commute if one live and works inn opposite corners of Chicago...

What attracts the OP to Chicsgo vs a nice quiet conservative suburb?