great place(s) to live in Illinois (?) (Chicago, Rockford: apartments, condominiums)

[nicewoman]

Hi,

I'm curious to know opinions on where is a great place to live in Illinois. I am strongly considering Chicago - possibly the Andersonville area; however, my fiancé already having lived in Chicago is leery about going back due to crime he encountered when there and the general hustle and bustle of the city. I have never lived in the city and really want the experience of it. We've thought about buying something else in Oak Park because we both enjoy it, but I really would prefer something new and different.

I lived in Bartlett, Oak Park and Schaumburg and am looking for something new. I would like to spend 450-500k or less. By far, Oak Park has been my favorite place to live.

I am looking for a place that has the following characteristics:
A lot of great family/individual owned (non-chain) shops and restaurants
A lot of character and culture
Lower taxes
Diversity
Sense of community
Lots of trees
Garage parking is a must
Easy commute to most suburbs (this one I bet is pretty unrealistic)

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[collected_eve]

I will be moving to Collinsville, IL in the next couple of years (I would rather it be sooner, but....).

Collinsville is right across the Mississippi from St. Louis. It has a nice family feel, but the big city atmosphere is always available.

There are a few threads from the last few months regarding Collinsville, so find those & take a look if you would like!

There are many nice areas on the outside of STL, it's just finding one that fits your needs best. I LOVE that area & cannot wait to be back! I lived about 35 miles east of STL in a quaint little town called Greenville. I do like it there as well, but it's a bit too "by itself." Nice to visit & shop, though.
Good luck to you!

[noplacelike]

If you liked Oak Park, you would like Evanston. I can think of no other town that meets your criteria other than them and Chicago because of your desire for diversity.

[brenty]

Dear nicewoman,

I have been living in Evanston since November. I really like the area. It acts like a bridge between Chicago and the suburbs to the North. It is what I would call 'urburban'.

Evanston's town center is very nice and active. There are many high-rise condominium's and five high-rise office buildings. Evanston's town center has many shops. They are nice mid-range shops like, Pier1 Imports, Levi's Store, and Ann Taylor Loft. There are still some locally owned businesses but many have moved away. There are two nice mom & pop shopping areas. Central Street is very high end and is almost all locally owned businesses and Main-Chicago which is middle range locally owned businesses.

If Characture is high on your list, you will love Evanston. Evanston has many beautiful homes, streets, trees, parks, beaches, and buildings. Evanston had a few brick paved streets in the northeastern section. Evanston's streetlights are very interesting and were designed by Tallmadge & Watson. Evanston has a nice town center, which we call Downtown Evanston. There are some nice restaurants, cafes, and shops. Downtown Evanston has quite a few high-rise condominium buildings. New residents and I love the high-rises because they provide a nice contrast between the typical street car suburban Evanston neighborhoods. Many past residents hate them because they do bring some traffic into the community.

There are many cultural opportunities in Evanston. Evanston is home to Northwestern University which has extensive programs for local adults and children. Northwestern has a beautiful lakefront campus that is open to the public. There are lakefront playing fields and bike paths. Evanston Township High School also have some nice programs. I have an older neighbor who visits the Levy Senior Center every week.

Evanston taxes are extraordinary. My taxes are quite high. My home was close to $500,000. I have a renovated 4 bedroom 2.5 bath in Southern Evanston on Asbury. It is a very nice historic neighborhood. We are close to an Elementary and Middle School.

Many people say Evanston has a lor of racial diversity. I really disagree. Evanston's Southeastern, Eastern, Northeastern, and Northwest sections are close to being a White and Asian. Evanston's Western, and Southwestern areas are mostly Black and Hispanic. I live in a neighborhood that is mostly white and between Eastern and Western Evanston. Evanston does seem to have some racial tension in the school system. There is also a large gap in incomes here. The White and Asian areas tend to be of the Upper Middle and Upper Class. While the Black and Hispanic are of the Middle to Lower Classes.

Evanston is a large suburb so the town as a whole rarely gets to gather. Evanston, like Chicago is a community of neighborhoods. The neighborhoods vary greatly in demographics, incomes, and style. Evanston's neighborhoods are very tight knit. In fact the wealthier neighborhoods tend to be less tight knit.

Evanston has been a Tree City USA for close to 30 years. We have an extensive tree canopy as with most of the Northern Suburbs. Evanston has an extensive Forestry Department that constults you on tree care and maintains trees on parkways, treelawns, and in parks.

There are 4 major parking garages in the Downtown area. There are also several smaller public garages and parking lots in some of the newer buildings and in the alleys behind shops. Many of the Vintage Condominium and Apartment buildings do not offer off-street parking. Sometimes you can purchase parking spaces for $15,000 to $25,000. The newer condominiums and apartments (built after 1960) have garage or parking spaces usually included for free.

I right now have to commute to Schaumburg from Evanston, which takes me about 60 minutes. Evanston is within 40 minutes of the rest of the Northern Suburbs near the lake. Evanston is about 45 minutes from Downtown Chicago by car and 25 to 35 minutes by train.

$500,000 gives you a variety of different options. You could have a newer construction condominium in downtown. Maybe a smaller or older home in Northwest Evanston or in my neighborhood around Asbury, Ridge, and Dempster. It really depends on what you want.

[nicewoman]

thanks so much for your replies - brenty, noplacelike and collected_eve!

[Windy City John]

I would recommend downtown Elmhurst based on your criteria.

[dubuqueaskme]

It sounds like you would like to be near Chicago. An area with culture, and a short commute, hmm...

Elgin comes to mind. The population in this city is near 90,000, maybe 10,000 more or so, by now. It is a great city to raise a family and is pretty quaint. ON a normal day, say Tuesday at noon, it would take an hour to get into downtown Chi, maybe two. The schools are pretty good from what I have heard.

Areas between Rockford and Chicago come to mind as well, Belvidere, McHenry, HUNTLEY, Huntley is great. Joliet is pretty well off as well.

Would you like to live in a more urban or rural community?

Naperville, Aurora, Elgin, Huntley, Belvidere, Joliet, DeKalb, Sycamore, Genoa, Hampshire, and areas in KANE, DEKALB, BOONE, HENRY, even Ogle and Lee would be good choices...