Lincoln Square or Edgewater to Oak Brook or Schaumburg Commute (Chicago: renting, homes)

[MichWolverines1983]

I am currently living in Nashville Tennessee but me and my fiance are considering moving to Chicago. I have lived in Chicago before (Edgewater, Buena Park, Old Town, Roscoe Village and West Logan Square) and miss living there. I am originally from Nashville but miss Chicago daily.

Anyway, I have the option to transfer jobs in two years to either the Oak Brook location or Schaumburg location of my current employer. I honestly wish they had a location in the city but that is not an option at the moment unfortunately. I am not 100% sure of my schedule in those areas but it will either be from early morning until 2:00/3:00p or 3:00p - midnight. This is not happening for another two years and I cannot say 100% what my schedule will be but I can say I am definitely shooting for a normal daytime schedule.

With that being said, how would the commute from Lincoln Square or Edgewater be to either location? The Oak Brook location is in the Oak Brook Center and the Schaumburg location is near East Dr & East Golf Road. What would be the best location to work if living in Lincoln Square or Edgewater? Also, Chicago isnt our only option. I have the opportunity to go to Houston, Dallas, or Denver. I have thought about choosing another city over Chicago, even though I miss the city, because of everything going on in Chicago and other cities that make it less than desirable. My fiance will be working Downtown in The Loop or Streeterville and will not have this problem. Thanks in advance.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by MichWolverines1983

I am currently living in Nashville Tennessee but me and my fiance are considering moving to Chicago. I have lived in Chicago before (Edgewater, Buena Park, Old Town, Roscoe Village and West Logan Square) and miss living there. I am originally from Nashville but miss Chicago daily.

Anyway, I have the option to transfer jobs in two years to either the Oak Brook location or Schaumburg location of my current employer. I honestly wish they had a location in the city but that is not an option at the moment unfortunately. I am not 100% sure of my schedule in those areas but it will either be from early morning until 2:00/3:00p or 3:00p - midnight. This is not happening for another two years and I cannot say 100% what my schedule will be but I can say I am definitely shooting for a normal daytime schedule.

With that being said, how would the commute from Lincoln Square or Edgewater be to either location? The Oak Brook location is in the Oak Brook Center and the Schaumburg location is near East Dr & East Golf Road. What would be the best location to work if living in Lincoln Square or Edgewater? Also, Chicago isnt our only option. I have the opportunity to go to Houston, Dallas, or Denver. I have thought about choosing another city over Chicago, even though I miss the city, because of everything going on in Chicago and other cities that make it less than desirable. My fiance will be working Downtown in The Loop or Streeterville and will not have this problem. Thanks in advance.

This is a miserable commuting prospect. I would look into locations along I-94. If you can afford it, West Town (Wicker Park, Bucktown, etc.). I would also look in Logan Square. Renting or buying?

[BOBNCHI]

Just my opinion, as I used to travel to both areas frequently from the Old Irving Park area.

I would give the edge to Schaumburg simply due to it having better options if there are traffic issues on the tollway. There are plenty of east/west roads that can be used that feed into or out of the Lincoln Sq or Edgewater areas.

Going to/from Oak Brook via I294 is actually similar time wise as to going to Schaumburg. But, while there are plenty of east/west roads should there be a traffic issue, many of these roads go through highly congested areas and can be brutally s-l-o-w!

In winter, all bets are off!

[MichWolverines1983]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

This is a miserable commuting prospect. I would look into locations along I-94. If you can afford it, West Town (Wicker Park, Bucktown, etc.). I would also look in Logan Square. Renting or buying?

Thank you but the Wicker Park/Bucktown area is not an area we would like to settle down. We will be renting at first and then purchasing a home within 5 years. I would rather live/rent in the area we plan to purchase settle down in. With work scheduling it just makes more sense to be closer to available homes so we can easily/quickly check them out if we are interested. Logan Square might be an option but I would rather stick to the Lincoln Square or Edgewater areas.

Originally Posted by BOBNCHI

Just my opinion, as I used to travel to both areas frequently from the Old Irving Park area.

I would give the edge to Schaumburg simply due to it having better options if there are traffic issues on the tollway. There are plenty of east/west roads that can be used that feed into or out of the Lincoln Sq or Edgewater areas.

Going to/from Oak Brook via I294 is actually similar time wise as to going to Schaumburg. But, while there are plenty of east/west roads should there be a traffic issue, many of these roads go through highly congested areas and can be brutally s-l-o-w!

In winter, all bets are off!

I was thinking the same thing honestly. Schaumburg seems to make the most sense to work if living in Lincoln Square or Edgewater. I honestly wish my company had a location in the city. This is not an easy decision and something we have talked about for some time. Like I said in my original post, Houston, Dallas, and Denver are also options for me. If my job was in the city I wouldn't have this debate in my head. This is a tough decision but we have time.

[personone]

Have you considered the NW neighborhoods like Jefferson Park as a compromise. It would be a better commute to Schaumburg, but you’d still be close enough to go to Lincoln Square or Edgewater when you want. Also, it’s not a terrible commute downtown/Loop for your husband.

[deeman7]

I did the Lincoln Square to Schaumburg-area commute 10 years ago. If you leave early enough in the morning (like 6am) it was about 45 minutes. The afternoon commute back will be at least an hour. I found taking Foster to I90/94 was the quickest route.

[Master Jay]

Good day,

personone seems to have struck a rather good balance, in their suggestion.

And then reading deeman7's experience, I feel like 45 to 60 minutes is A LOT, at minimum 5 days a week.

BUT, that also brings me to THIS point: on the driving time spectrum, some people do not do well with longer drives; and others have no problem with it.

For some people, the long drive is added frustration, and for others it is a time to decompress, self-talk, etc.

YOU know yourselves better than anyone else in the world. So assess if drive time IS a positive OR negative factor.

Best to you... Best to you ALL!

[Kmanshouse]

Originally Posted by deeman7

I did the Lincoln Square to Schaumburg-area commute 10 years ago. If you leave early enough in the morning (like 6am) it was about 45 minutes. The afternoon commute back will be at least an hour. I found taking Foster to I90/94 was the quickest route.

Listen to this poster. This is solid information.

OP, your proposed schedule helps. Those are off-hours. Edgewater seems like a bear either way - I'd cross that off. You can perhaps move to the western side of Lincoln Square to cut down the ride to the expressway and then pick Schaumburg.

[MichWolverines1983]

Originally Posted by personone

Have you considered the NW neighborhoods like Jefferson Park as a compromise. It would be a better commute to Schaumburg, but you’d still be close enough to go to Lincoln Square or Edgewater when you want. Also, it’s not a terrible commute downtown/Loop for your husband.

Not, I have not considered Jefferson Park. Something to look into. Also, I am the boyfriend and the one working Downtown would be the girlfriend. Too bad my company doesn't have a location in the city.

Originally Posted by deeman7

I did the Lincoln Square to Schaumburg-area commute 10 years ago. If you leave early enough in the morning (like 6am) it was about 45 minutes. The afternoon commute back will be at least an hour. I found taking Foster to I90/94 was the quickest route.

Thank you! Sounds like sokid advice. Also, I am not 100% sure it would be an AM schedule but I am going to try my best to make that happen in two years when we will be making a final decision on where to move (Chicago, Denver, Dallas, or Houston). If it is an AM schedule I'm sure I'll have to be there around 6am so I would leave before then obviously m

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

Listen to this poster. This is solid information.

OP, your proposed schedule helps. Those are off-hours. Edgewater seems like a bear either way - I'd cross that off. You can perhaps move to the western side of Lincoln Square to cut down the ride to the expressway and then pick Schaumburg.

This is my preferred choice but I am not 100% opposed to moving to Logan Square again. I would just prefer not to. We will see what happens.