best areas for young families with both parents working (Chicago: fit in, to rent)

[aliengypsies]

Hi,

My husband and i are going to be moving to Chicago next summer with our two little kids (ages 1 and 3.5). My husband will be working downtown near Sears Tower and i have to yet take up a job (IT management). We'd like to live within

a) 30-45 minutes of train commute to downtown - with good frequency and timings
b) in an area SAFE for families
c) in an area with good daycare/pre-school/primary schools
d) overall rent <$2000
e) in an area accessible to most IT jobs (such that it gives me flexibility to commute should my job not be in downtown)

Can you pls suggest areas that might best meet our criteria. What may be some factors that we could consider or compromise moving to Chicago?

thanks

[ByStrlight]

My boyfriend, my 7 month old daughter, and I live in Lincoln Square on Chicago's Northside. This is family-central. You don't fit in if you're not pushing a stroller. (Only half serious there). Because my daughter isn't in school yet, I'm not too sure about the schools around here.

It takes my boyfriend anywhere between 40 minutes to 1.5 hours (during rush hour) to get to the Merchandise Mart for work. Time on the train can vary greatly due to all the construction they have going on. There aren't many times that he's actually on the train during rush hour so I can't say how often it would really take 1.5 hours to get between here and downtown.

Our rent is under $1500 for a two bedroom and I've seen many many many ads for 3 bedrooms under $2000 in the area. It really is a cute area, and if you can find a place to rent by the square, you will be really close to tons of cute shops, restaurants, a big park (I think its named Welles Park) and you'll have a ton of neighbors with children.

[Avengerfire]

You can get a 3 bedroom in Lincoln Square as low as $1200 a month(may not include utilities though). I had one for $1095 no utilities included. You just have to look around a bit.

[Windy City John]

If you want western suburbs check out Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton. These communities offer excellent Metra service and your husband could walk from Metra Station to Sears Tower. If you want urban, check out Oak Park, River Forest, if you want city check out Lincoln Park, Gold Coast. It all depends on how much city vs suburbia you want.