Raising kids in the city rather than heading for the suburbs (Chicago: for sale, renting)

[marothisu]

Lincoln Square is not CHEAP but I'm not sure why you're showing an almost $2 million home. They certainly exist there but it's not the average price for a home.

[Vlajos]

The cons are housing is expensive and non-selective CPS HS are bad. The local elementaries like Chappell, Waters, Ravenswood are good schools, with very dedicated parent networks and more and more aldermanic support. These schools when looking apples to apples demographics are pretty much on the same level as top suburban elementaries. Also Queen of Angels and St. Matthias are good Catholic options if one is so inclined.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Lincoln Square is not CHEAP but I'm not sure why you're showing an almost $2 million home. They certainly exist there but it's not the average price for a home.

Not even close to average.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Not even close to average.

Isn't the average sale price the last handful of years between about $400K and $650K?

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Isn't the average sale price the last handful of years between about $400K and $650K?

even on the low end, 400k (for one of chicago's best family hoods) still has awful schools which makes it a pretty bad deal compared dozens of more affordable suburbs with much better schools. There's no getting around it and unless the problem is fixed, Chicago will continue to hollow out.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Aleking

even on the low end, 400k for one of chicago's best family hoods that still has awful schools is a pretty bad deal compared dozens of more affordable suburbs with much better schools. There's no getting around it and unless the problem is fixed, Chicago will continue to hollow out.

At least the property taxes are low...

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Aleking

even on the low end, 400k for one of chicago's best family hoods that still has awful schools is a pretty bad deal compared dozens of more affordable suburbs with much better schools. There's no getting around it and unless the problem is fixed, Chicago will continue to hollow out.

I agree that $400K in that area on average isn't going to get you anything amazing, but the point is that Chet shows a house that's $2 million and almost seems like he's trying to say you can only get a good house if you pay a million or two. While $650K is not cheap, it's still a far cry from $2 million.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Isn't the average sale price the last handful of years between about $400K and $650K?

Probably

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by chet everett

My sister has no kids but does live in Lincoln Square; I fully agree it is one of the nicer spots for not just families but anyone that like a nice balance between "quiet enough to relax" yet with enough local amenities within a short walk / easy drive.

The local school attendance areas are not very desirable, particularly for the older kids. Lots of families prefer to try to line up their kids for the magnet schools over the local schools like Budlong or Trumbull. The nearest high schools (Mather & Amundsen) nor Von Stuben just don't attract the kind of talented kids that selective admissions high schools like Payton & North Side Prep do. I suppose if you have the cash for a shiny new house private schools might be an option -- 2015 W Giddings St, CHICAGO, IL 60625 | MLS# 08521337 | Redfin

Trumbull closed last year as part of all the school closings.

[Alacran]

I grew up in the city and I'm fine.