Commuting from the city to Wood Dale? (Chicago, Oak Park: apartment, neighborhoods)

[brodie734]

Hi! Just kicking the tires on some options here. My SO really want to live in Ravenswood/North Center/Lincoln Square but right now our best job prospect is in Wood Dale. Google gives the preposterously large range of 40 minutes to 100 minutes when I try to look at normal commute times. Obviously it is a long commute either way, but 40 minutes is much better than an hour and 40. Is this at all a reasonable commute to attempt? And what other neighborhoods should we be considering?

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by brodie734

Hi! Just kicking the tires on some options here. My SO really want to live in Ravenswood/North Center/Lincoln Square but right now our best job prospect is in Wood Dale. Google gives the preposterously large range of 40 minutes to 100 minutes when I try to look at normal commute times. Obviously it is a long commute either way, but 40 minutes is much better than an hour and 40. Is this at all a reasonable commute to attempt? And what other neighborhoods should we be considering?

I'd guess an average commute with no snow and no Cubs game, you should budget at least an hour if in normal rush hour.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by brodie734

Hi! Just kicking the tires on some options here. My SO really want to live in Ravenswood/North Center/Lincoln Square but right now our best job prospect is in Wood Dale. Google gives the preposterously large range of 40 minutes to 100 minutes when I try to look at normal commute times. Obviously it is a long commute either way, but 40 minutes is much better than an hour and 40. Is this at all a reasonable commute to attempt? And what other neighborhoods should we be considering?

When going that distance there is so much room for variables. Google isn't giving a 'preposterously large range.' Chicagoland is a very congested area. Unfortunately, from Chicago to Wood Dale, you would be traversing some of the most congested expressways in this area.

If I really wanted to live in the city, I'd be looking at Albany Park and points northwest of there. Oak Park and Forest Park might be good suburban locations to consider.

[brodie734]

Thanks! Albany Park is interesting to me. Obviously it's not trendy, but it is adjacent to the areas we like with good transit connections. Would you describe the neighborhood as sleepy?

[pvande55]

Best to use Milwaukee District West line from union station or Western/Grand.http://www.google.com/url?q=https://...bcUzM_VWjHTMCy
I rode to Wood Dale for years, but from Elmwood Park. Make sure to be convenient to either of those stations and you'll be fine,. Many of my fellow riders did.

[pureistheword]

I live near the Kedzie stop on the Brown line but technically my apartment is not Albany Park. I would not consider it a sleepy area, seems pretty average and busy.
Depending where in Wood Dale, Irving Park Road may be an alternative. I have been to Wood Dale several times (I am often in Bensonville where I get gas, I paid 2.59 this week I think). During rush hour, I think it takes me 40-45 min from Irving/Kedzie to Irving and 83.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by brodie734

Thanks! Albany Park is interesting to me. Obviously it's not trendy, but it is adjacent to the areas we like with good transit connections. Would you describe the neighborhood as sleepy?

I think Albany Park is on the verge of trendy. Some of it is already there. It's in kind of a middle ground. I know a few 20-somethings living there and they love it. It's obviously very diverse with all kinds of ethnic restaurants and shops. It's also well located on the Brown Line.

[pvande55]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

I think Albany Park is on the verge of trendy. Some of it is already there. It's in kind of a middle ground. I know a few 20-somethings living there and they love it. It's obviously very diverse with all kinds of ethnic restaurants and shops. It's also well located on the Brown Line.

Not for Wood Dale. It doesn't even go near Union Station.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by pvande55

Not for Wood Dale. It doesn't even go near Union Station.

I was referring to Albany Park's proximity to livelier neighborhoods.

[MSchemist80]

In short, I would not volunteer for that commute. Live near work and take the metra in on evenings or weekends for entertainment.