Single mom of 2 considering move to Chicago (Evanston, Oak Park: real estate, house) - City-Data Forum

2blessed2stress · 02-20-2009, 08:14 AM

A little background…I grew up in Chicago (Auburn-Gresham) but my family moved to Minneapolis when I was 15. I hate Mpls. With a passion. I should have left for college when I had the chance! However, I now have two kids and making sure they were able to see dad regularly kept me here. Now, he’s moved to Phoenix, I still hate Mpls, and no longer have motivation to stay.

I’ve been a suburbanite for the past decade and want to move to the city. I’m going to be going to UIC, finishing up a degree. So I’m thinking Hyde Park. I NEED a diverse area, for many years, my kids have been the only black kids in class, on sports teams, etc. I want them around a more diverse group! Not “all” black, but truly a mix of people.

How are the elementary schools in the area? Middle school? One kid will be entering 5th grade, the other 7th grade. Other neighborhood suggestions that are close to UIC, diverse, with decent schools?

Thanks!

soulful · 02-20-2009, 08:21 AM

How about Oak Park?
You may remember it as the suburb immediately west of Chicago. Oak Park and Evanston are our two suburbs that have a very urban feel. More importantly, you could send your children to the public schools (something I couldn't recommend in most cases in Chicago) and you can be at UIC in 5 minutes on the El. I know many UIC students that live in Oak Park and the schools are diverse but much safer than most in Chicago (unless you can spring for private).

Good luck with your move.

p.s. I did want to clarify that you are going to UIC and not U of C. Only since your posting mentioned Hyde Park. Hyde Park is a great diverse neighborhood, however, I am not sure about the public schools in Hyde Park so I will leave that up to others on the board.

2blessed2stress · 02-20-2009, 08:44 AM

Right, UIC. I was JUST reading some information on Oak Park.

Thanks for responding! Hopefully others will weigh in.

(ETA: I will not be able to afford private school in the near future!)

CarolinaBredChicagoan · 02-20-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsimicata

How about Oak Park?
You may remember it as the suburb immediately west of Chicago. Oak Park and Evanston are our two suburbs that have a very urban feel. More importantly, you could send your children to the public schools (something I couldn't recommend in most cases in Chicago) and you can be at UIC in 5 minutes on the El.

Well, it's not 5 minutes... It'd be 15 or so from Oak Park to up by the med center, then another 15 or so to either switch to the Pink Line or a bus (or walk, briskly) down to UIC.

Oak Park is a good choice, though, I think.

2blessed2stress · 02-20-2009, 09:08 AM

I've been reading many threads this morning and am already wondering if I'm going to be biting off more than I can chew, LOL! In my current neighborhood, the kids sometimes leave their bikes out for days with no problems, I've gone off to work and forgotten to close the garage door (which leads directly into our house btw) with no problems.

I mean, I know Chicago is NOT Minnetonka but it sounds like I'll have to make some serious adjustments!

CarolinaBredChicagoan · 02-20-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2blessed2stress

I've been reading many threads this morning and am already wondering if I'm going to be biting off more than I can chew, LOL! In my current neighborhood, the kids sometimes leave their bikes out for days with no problems, I've gone off to work and forgotten to close the garage door (which leads directly into our house btw) with no problems.

I mean, I know Chicago is NOT Minnetonka but it sounds like I'll have to make some serious adjustments!

Um. Yeah. You want to be a little more careful here.

oakparkdude · 02-20-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2blessed2stress

I've been reading many threads this morning and am already wondering if I'm going to be biting off more than I can chew, LOL! In my current neighborhood, the kids sometimes leave their bikes out for days with no problems, I've gone off to work and forgotten to close the garage door (which leads directly into our house btw) with no problems.

I mean, I know Chicago is NOT Minnetonka but it sounds like I'll have to make some serious adjustments!

I'd also suggest OP for diversity, good schools, and relatively close to UIC. Its definitely more "urban" than your location in MN. Bicycles tend to "escape" from open garages around here. If you want that same level of "security", you'd probably have to go quite a bit further away from the city (and I'm not even sure out there its a good idea to leave your garage open.)
Hyde Park has some "decent" public K-8 schools, but its significantly further from UIC than Oak Park, and real estate is pricier.

2blessed2stress · 02-20-2009, 09:32 AM

Thanks Sukwoo! Ok, I must have been confused about the distance of Hyde park to UIC...is HP closer to U of C???

Avengerfire · 02-20-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2blessed2stress

Thanks Sukwoo! Ok, I must have been confused about the distance of Hyde park to UIC...is HP closer to U of C???

U of C is in Hyde Park.

2blessed2stress · 02-20-2009, 09:39 AM

Ah-ha! Oops. I will do some digging into Oak Park. Thanks everyone