Raising kids "in the city" - is it possible?? (Chicago: cul-de-sac, how much)

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by cotyan

Great info, thanks!

NP,

I'm actually going to see these myself, as my interest has been piqued.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by cotyan

Ooh what neighborhood is that in? I'm totally not familiar with the area not being from Chicago but I want to find it on the map and tell the realtor we're meeting with where it is

I actually got it wrong, I apologize. This is the super far north-east tip of West Elsdon.

[jjc58]

Reviving this thread with my first ever post on this forum--

I live in Wicker Park, work in River North, and have a three month old who, God love him, is making me think long and hard about my worldview.

Not a fan of the "American dream." I have no desire to move to the burbs. That said, I cannot fathom paying $10,000+ for my child's elementary school (but if I did, I'd take a hard look at the Lysee Francais. Pretty cool concept).

So what do I do?
Stay in West Town and spearhead a PTO-lead rehabilitation of Pritzker?
Hope that the new magnet coming in (now Anderson school) will be top-notch, another Bell?
Buy a place in Bell School district just because of the schools?
Send the kid to a parochial school (even though I'm only Catholic because my last name ends in a vowel)?
Move to Beverly, as someone suggested?
Or just bite the bullet and move to Evanston?

A bunch of the pro and cons are spelled out in the thread already. I just wanted to thank everyone for an insightful thread and facilitate the continuation of a great discussion.

[nJohn]

Originally Posted by jjc58

Reviving this thread with my first ever post on this forum--

I live in Wicker Park, work in River North, and have a three month old who, God love him, is making me think long and hard about my worldview.

Not a fan of the "American dream." I have no desire to move to the burbs. That said, I cannot fathom paying $10,000+ for my child's elementary school (but if I did, I'd take a hard look at the Lysee Francais. Pretty cool concept).

So what do I do?
Stay in West Town and spearhead a PTO-lead rehabilitation of Pritzker?
Hope that the new magnet coming in (now Anderson school) will be top-notch, another Bell?
Buy a place in Bell School district just because of the schools?
Send the kid to a parochial school (even though I'm only Catholic because my last name ends in a vowel)?
Move to Beverly, as someone suggested?
Or just bite the bullet and move to Evanston?

A bunch of the pro and cons are spelled out in the thread already. I just wanted to thank everyone for an insightful thread and facilitate the continuation of a great discussion.

I'm a product of Catholic school and I would give my vote for that. You don't have to be a practicing Catholic or even religious to attend. The school that I attended gave me a solid start when I went to high school; I didn't feel like I was lagging behind. The down side is the high tuition since it's private, there is no aid from the state. Look into surrounding Catholic schools in your area and see if it's a fit for you and your child.

If you move to Beverly you're basically in the suburbs. You'll be surrounded my parochial schools but you'll lose that urban feel you want, definitely a suburban feel but still Chicago's property. On the upside you'll be in the vicinity of some public schools to your disposal if you choose not to do the Catholic route.

[EvilTart]

I have 2 sons , 13 and 8 years old. I raise them in the Ukraine Village (we are relocating to Bucktown) I do charter homeschooling though which is through the Merritt school of Music.

I love raising my sons here, however it's important to find apartments where they can make friends and go outside easily.

[Lookout Kid]

Now that I'm paying $1400+ for daycare each month and am looking at the prospect of elementary school tuition, I'm really thinking there's money to be made in North Side child care and private schooling... Anyone looking for investors to get something going? Kidding, of course. But man, there are a LOT of young kids around here these days. Even in Buena Park I probably pass six or seven strollers on my daily commute. And Lincoln Square is becoming a stroller traffic jam on weekends.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by nJohn

If you move to Beverly you're basically in the suburbs. You'll be surrounded my parochial schools but you'll lose that urban feel you want, definitely a suburban feel but still Chicago's property. On the upside you'll be in the vicinity of some public schools to your disposal if you choose not to do the Catholic route.

QFT.

My wife and I are considering Beverly BECAUSE it's so suburban. I want Bridgeport, but oh well. She wanted quiet, tree lined streets and SFH with yards. If this isn't what you picture, (and it sounds like it's not) you'd be pretty upset if you moved there. It's a far cry from anything within a couple miles of the loop.

Although, we did check out Sutherland and it was pretty nice.

[JDR1837]

The day I move Back to the suburbs is the day I die. I love the city and can't wait until the spire goes up and I move in. The suburbs of Chicago are a great place to start a family. I started my career in Carol Stream, and now I live happily in the city.

[cotyan]

I'd love to hear more about this charter homeschooling. I homeschooled for two years and would have kept it up had there been a charter support behind it here in North Atlanta but there wasn't at the time.

I'm going to look up Merritt School of Music!

Originally Posted by EvilTart

I have 2 sons , 13 and 8 years old. I raise them in the Ukraine Village (we are relocating to Bucktown) I do charter homeschooling though which is through the Merritt school of Music.

I love raising my sons here, however it's important to find apartments where they can make friends and go outside easily.

[Chinolala]

Originally Posted by gtrgrl74

We are relocating and do not want to live in the suburbs. We love the city. Is this possible without a fortune and without sending the kids to public school? Thanks

The Wlldwood and Edgebrook communities have really good grammar schools. For high school you can hope to get into a school like Northside Prep or go parochial. Lane Tech is a good option too.