Some advice would be appreciated! (Chicago, Des Plaines: apartments, neighborhood, quality of life) - City-Data Forum

canadianchic80 · 01-10-2009, 01:08 PM

I have recently moved to the Chicagoland region. I am a professional 28 year old woman. I am taking a temporary job for 3 months in Des Plaines and would like to live within the city limits. I am not rigid on the times that I will be commuting into the suburbs. What is the morning traffic hour and the evening traffic hour. I will most likely begin work around 7:30 or 8 and will be done my daily routine in Des Plaines by 7:30pm. Will this be grueling. Ideally, I would like to live in Bucktown or Wicker Park but if need be, I am willing to settle in a neighborhood where I do not have to take I90. Any advice would be greatly appreciated please.

Steve-o · 01-10-2009, 01:58 PM

My answer? Yes. It will be grueling. Ive never made that commute myself, but Im sure its horrid. During those times, most roads are jam-packed and awful.

canadianchic80 · 01-10-2009, 02:58 PM

Even if I leave Des Plaines at like 7:30pm to get back to the city?

chet everett · 01-10-2009, 03:11 PM

If you really plan on working 12 hour days why would it matter where you live?

Drover · 01-10-2009, 04:20 PM

Your commute time will depend enormously on where in the city you live and where in Des Plaines you work. If you live in Hegewisch, your commute will take the better part of 2 hours. If you live in Edison Park and work in the southeast corner of Des Plaines, your commute could be as short as 10 minutes. An approximate address of your work location and what you're looking for in a neighborhood would be helpful. I can tell you that a commute from Bucktown or Wicker Park to Des Plaines during normal business hours will not be pleasant, UNLESS you live right near the Clybourn Metra station and your work place is near the Des Plains Metra station. Then it could be a snap.

Avengerfire · 01-11-2009, 12:05 PM

Yeah, Edison Park would be good, as Drover mentioned.

Park Ridge would be good too (it is a suburb though), but not very different from Edison Park which is in the city. In fact, Park Ridge and Edison Park border each other.

You can also try Norwood Park, the northern part of Jefferson Park, Edgebrook (limited apartments in this neighborhood though), and O'Hare would all be great if you want to be close to work, but still in the city limits.

chicagocubs · 01-12-2009, 04:49 AM

Actually, Des Plaines itself is not a bad place to live. You can always go into the city for your "fun" on the weekend and stick close to work during the week.

canadianchic80 · 01-12-2009, 05:21 AM

Thanks for the replies...when I get some addresses I will post them. I just want to avoid being stuck in a car for 3 hrs every day. I see that as poor quality of life!

canadianchic80 · 01-12-2009, 05:22 AM

Oh BTW how is Edison Park? Is it more suburban or is there even a hint of urban??? This will only be a temporary assignment so I may just have to live with it...

Avengerfire · 01-12-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadianchic80

Oh BTW how is Edison Park? Is it more suburban or is there even a hint of urban??? This will only be a temporary assignment so I may just have to live with it...

It is very suburban like, but there is a strip of bars,restaurants and other things on Northwest Highway as well as farther up in downtown Park Ridge (a mile or so northwest of downtown Edison Park.)

The good thing about being up there is you will be far more safer than in other places in Chicago.