Moving to Chicago from Detroit early 2015

[chero78]

I see that several people have mentioned Oak Park. I will add that to my list. I've heard people mention that area several times in other circles as well. Does anyone know anything about Brighton Park or McKinley Park?

[jonnynonos]

Brighton Park is pretty rough in terms of gang activity. McKinley Park far less so, but still in my opinion just a marginally ok neighborhood.

If you're looking down that way I would look at Bridgeport east of Halsted.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

Brighton Park is pretty rough in terms of gang activity. McKinley Park far less so, but still in my opinion just a marginally ok neighborhood.

If you're looking down that way I would look at Bridgeport east of Halsted.

What is the quality of (public) schools in that part of town?

[jonnynonos]

Not very good, I don't think. I think a lot of people go to Catholic schools, magnet schools, etc.

[japster28]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

A lot of people go to Metro Detroit, and seem to be familiar with Grosse Pointe as Detroit areas most affluent area, probably because its closest to the city, and its history. But metro Detroit true equivalent to Chicagos north shore suburbs would probably be closer to the Bloomfield-Birmingham area (along adjacent areas like Troy, etc.). This where the greatest concentration of wealth, shopping, flash, etc is in metro Detroit. Even though, those outside metro Detroit are less familiar with it.

The Grosse Pointes are really more of an old money enclave with historic homes surrounded by a lot of broken down city neighborhoods. Having lived in the Oak Park/River Forest area for two years, I would say that that might be a little closer approximation to Grosse Pointe (River Forest has beautiful tudor mansions, very leafy streets, but is a stone throw from Maywood, and has the West side with Austin just across Oak Park). River Forest with a lakefront, might be a closer idea.

I have a friend from Bloomfield Hills, and I have explored the area as well, though not quite as extensively as the Gross Pointe's. The Bloomfield Hills area feels a lot more like Hinsdale in my eyes, very wealthy, with lots of newer housing. However I do understand where you're coming from with your Oak Park/Gross Pointe comparison. It's just the feeling of driving through the area from the city through Jefferson Ave feels very close to the feeling I get when driving through the North Shore on Sheridan Rd, albeit the change in Detroit is much more drastic.

[IAmEverywhere]

If you have compelling reasons for this move, there are relatively affordable areas in Evanston and Oak Park which are zoned for good schools. The affordable parts of Evanston are generally at the western and southern edges of town. (e.g., farther from the lake or adjacent to Chicago.) The affordable parts of Oak Park are generally closer to Austin Boulevard (which is the boundary with the City of Chicago.) However, one reason these areas are cheap is because they have high crime.

There are also desirable, safe suburbs with good schools with a similar housing situation to what you have now in the Grosse Pointes. Namely, it would be very expensive to buy, but for some reason the area offers affordable apartment complexes. The areas where such housing exists are generally a long way from downtown Chicago. These areas are socially conservative, which may or may not be your thing.

If you're looking for good schools at a manageable price, steer clear of the Chicago Public Schools. The relatively good K-8 schools in this system that exist are generally in the more expensive neighborhoods. There is no guarantee of getting into a good high school no matter where in the city you live.

Illinois does not have Schools of Choice or anything like it. Generally, your children will have to attend the school district in which your home is located. You cannot simply apply to a better district and take responsibility for getting your children to school there.

The big picture is that you are likely exchanging some of the best Metro Detroit has to offer for a mediocre situation in Chicagoland. You are likely taking a substantial step down in quality of education, quality of life, safety, or some combination thereof.

As someone who recently relocated from Chicagoland to southeast Michigan, I question why you would want to do this.

[CCrest182]

Yeah Hyde Park is good but expensive, Bridgeport is also good, predominantly white but also diverse community of Hispanics and Asians, as it is right next to China Town, literally a mile or two from downtown. The CTA is the best transportation service in my opinion in the entire country. Beverly is also a nice and safe neighborhood, but it's much further from downtown and it's on the south side. In Hyde Park, anything east of Cottage Grove Ave and north of 61st is safe, and anything north of 47th and east of Racine is safe in Bridgeport.

[jonnynonos]

Originally Posted by IAmEverywhere

If you have compelling reasons for this move, there are relatively affordable areas in Evanston and Oak Park which are zoned for good schools. The affordable parts of Evanston are generally at the western and southern edges of town. (e.g., farther from the lake or adjacent to Chicago.) The affordable parts of Oak Park are generally closer to Austin Boulevard (which is the boundary with the City of Chicago.) However, one reason these areas are cheap is because they have high crime.

There are also desirable, safe suburbs with good schools with a similar housing situation to what you have now in the Grosse Pointes. Namely, it would be very expensive to buy, but for some reason the area offers affordable apartment complexes. The areas where such housing exists are generally a long way from downtown Chicago. These areas are socially conservative, which may or may not be your thing.

If you're looking for good schools at a manageable price, steer clear of the Chicago Public Schools. The relatively good K-8 schools in this system that exist are generally in the more expensive neighborhoods. There is no guarantee of getting into a good high school no matter where in the city you live.

Illinois does not have Schools of Choice or anything like it. Generally, your children will have to attend the school district in which your home is located. You cannot simply apply to a better district and take responsibility for getting your children to school there.

The big picture is that you are likely exchanging some of the best Metro Detroit has to offer for a mediocre situation in Chicagoland. You are likely taking a substantial step down in quality of education, quality of life, safety, or some combination thereof.

As someone who recently relocated from Chicagoland to southeast Michigan, I question why you would want to do this.

That's a good point. If life seems unmanageable in Grosse Pointe, moving to inner-city Chicago is a whole nother ball of wax.

Would seem odd to want to make the jump with kids in tow. But, to each their own.

Speaking from experience, the pace of life in metro Detroit is simply far more manageable. I totally understand people moving to Chicago out of boredom, or for a great job, or just because it's a great city.

But it is indeed an odd place to relocate to if you're not making a lot of money and looking for a good school for your kids.