Suggestions on where to live in the City when working in Oak Brook (Schaumburg: low crime, restaurants)

[aragx6]

^^ Exactly. Pilsen is closer, yes, but it is a less desirable neighborhood.

That doesn't mean there may not be reasons to live there, that doesn't mean that I don't think the OP should look into it.

What it does mean is that, if in fact, the OP discovers that they don't like Pilsen or University Village (as I personally found myself when I was looking at neighborhoods that would be commutable to the western suburbs) then they should look into Ukrainian Village along Damen, as the 5-10 minutes it would add to the commute, may well be worth the more happening neighborhood.

[Lookout Kid]

Like I said before, if I were facing the situation described by the OP and were in the same phase of life, I'd choose Ukranian Village. It's the best combination of neighborhood ammenities, nightlife, and convenience. If I had a family (which I do) and had to commute to Oak Brook, I'd choose Oak Park.

[NearWestSider]

Originally Posted by aragx6

^^ Exactly. Pilsen is closer, yes, but it is a less desirable neighborhood.

That doesn't mean there may not be reasons to live there, that doesn't mean that I don't think the OP should look into it.

What it does mean is that, if in fact, the OP discovers that they don't like Pilsen or University Village (as I personally found myself when I was looking at neighborhoods that would be commutable to the western suburbs) then they should look into Ukrainian Village along Damen, as the 5-10 minutes it would add to the commute, may well be worth the more happening neighborhood.

If you can make 9 stoplights (count 'em) plus three stop signs, plus roughly two miles of city traffic in 5-10 minutes, you're in the wrong business, kid. You should be a cab driver or a car messenger - you'd make a killing.

Otherwise, you should knock off the 5-10 minute fish story and simply tell the OP that "yes, its farther, but you'd be near Wicker Park - the greatest neighborhood ever invented! Everybody's just like ME! WhooHoo!", and leave it at that.

And PLEASE don't do your 5-10 minute thing when I'm riding my bike down Damen. I scare easily.

Now, as far as Pilsen being "less desireable" than Chicago's version of Naperville, I think I hear the voice of a Michigan Hoodie. Or does yours say "Mizzou"?

[aragx6]

It is 5-10 minutes I literally do it every day. Or if you're close enough to the Kennedy, that's even faster.

Pilsen is less desirable than Ukrainian Village. That's why it costs less.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by NearWestSider

If you can make 9 stoplights (count 'em) plus three stop signs, plus roughly two miles of city traffic in 5-10 minutes, you're in the wrong business, kid. You should be a cab driver or a car messenger - you'd make a killing.

Otherwise, you should knock off the 5-10 minute fish story and simply tell the OP that "yes, its farther, but you'd be near Wicker Park - the greatest neighborhood ever invented! Everybody's just like ME! WhooHoo!", and leave it at that.

And PLEASE don't do your 5-10 minute thing when I'm riding my bike down Damen. I scare easily.

Now, as far as Pilsen being "less desireable" than Chicago's version of Naperville, I think I hear the voice of a Michigan Hoodie. Or does yours say "Mizzou"?

You think yourself a bit too special for riding a bike and living on the 'West Side' (the mean streets of University Village). I'm not quite sure how one could jump to such a bizarre rant based on what we said.

[aragx6]

^^ I mean honestly! I've never seen a more fake Napervillian-looking neighborhood in all my life quite like University Village!

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by aragx6

^^ I mean honestly! I've never seen a more fake Napervillian-looking neighborhood in all my life quite like University Village!

Yeah, I was just thinking that.

[Lookout Kid]

It's about ten blocks north from the Ike to the HEART of Ukranian Village, so how could you possibly have nine lights and three stop signs in that trip? You're telling fibs. I think the OP should listen to the people who actually live in the Ukranian Village and drive the drive. The only really congested area in that stretch of Damen is further north at the "six-corner" in Wicker Park/Bucktown.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by NearWestSider

Otherwise, you should knock off the 5-10 minute fish story and simply tell the OP that "yes, its farther, but you'd be near Wicker Park - the greatest neighborhood ever invented! Everybody's just like ME! WhooHoo!", and leave it at that.

This from a guy who lives in the white-washed University Village development that advertises itself as "suburban-style homes in the city"? WTF?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by NearWestSider

If you can make 9 stoplights (count 'em) plus three stop signs, plus roughly two miles of city traffic in 5-10 minutes,...

I do it all the time in various areas all over the city and at different times a day.