Commute to Chicago?

[sherri rc]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I'm a little confused. "Suburbs of downtown?" Do you mean suburbs of Chicago? Chicago proper extends all the way to the Indiana border. I think people confuse Chicago and downtown Chicago. Outside the Loop and the near north side, Chicago is mostly low rise buildings. The "suburbs" are basically small towns whose borders rub up right next to adjacent town borders.

This seems to go back to this imaginary line somewhere where "Chicago" begins and ends. The Michigan border is about 60-70 miles, twice and far as what most people still be call suburbs.

While, the Michigan border would still be kind of rediculously far to commute to. If you had a job that worked longer hours, three or four days a week, and/or you had off hours, it would still be needlessly long, but possibly doable.

Oh and yes I did mean suburbs of chicago. OOPS sorry about that, that is a huge difference.

[DestinationSeattle]

Originally Posted by scottmi

If you do a Google Map, Mapquest "route" to/from work, it might say 2 HOURS but I can't believe it's gonna be that little. And if the OP has no concept of how bad traffic can be on the expressways going into and in Chicago, that 2-3+ hours EACH WAY is gonna get real old, real fast and be REAL expensive as well.

Just move there. Geez.

Again, 90 minutes by commuter train. No hassle with the driving. The maximum fare (from South Bend) with a monthly pass is about $300, and when you consider the gas, parking, and wear-and-tear you'll be saving, that's not bad.

I'm not affiliated with South Shore ... just trying to point out that a commute from Michigan, for whatever reason you want to do it, can be done.

I agree with others that Chicago isn't a bad place to live, but I'm partial to Michigan, so I wouldn't dissuade anyone who's thinking about living there. One catch is that the coastal towns *can* be a little costlier, since a lot of them are summer getaways for Chicagoans. But if you don't mind the commute, it's a nice way to get out of the city at night and relax in the countryside.

[scottmi]

You COULDN'T pay me enough to live in Indiana. Have you even been near Gary Indiana or South Bend? All I'm saying is make sure you do your will BEFORE you head there.

[TweetyBirdyBird]

Maybe you can help me.

I need a home that has at least ONE acre.

I have alot of doggies that need room to roam

Are there any other suburbs in Illinois that you can get a home with some elbow room for less than $200,000 with less than two hours to Chicago?

What about Wisconsin?

I don't want Indiana though! LOL

[DestinationSeattle]

Originally Posted by TweetyBirdyBird

Maybe you can help me.

I need a home that has at least ONE acre.

I have alot of doggies that need room to roam

Are there any other suburbs in Illinois that you can get a home with some elbow room for less than $200,000 with less than two hours to Chicago?

What about Wisconsin?

I don't want Indiana though! LOL

Can't help you with those ... you might want to check out the state forums for each, or the Chicago forum. As for Indiana, South Bend is a nice place, but I never wanted to live there over Michigan. Most of the rest of NW Indiana is pretty scuzzy, though, from west of South Bend to the Illinois line.

[DestinationSeattle]

Originally Posted by scottmi

You COULDN'T pay me enough to live in Indiana. Have you even been near Gary Indiana or South Bend? All I'm saying is make sure you do your will BEFORE you head there.

Gary is a hellhole. But South Bend is for the most part a nice city, especially the area around Notre Dame. I worked in South Bend for eight years.

[Tex?Il?]

I know NW Indiana gets a bad rap. But if you could find a place near the Indiana Dunes (maybe Chesterton and Valparaiso) that don't have all the heavy industry. The Dunes are an amazing natural resource if you like the outdoors.

If you a looking for a house with an acre or two that is affordable to the average person. Maybe going straight south is best. In general Chicagos south suburbs don't extend as far as the north and west. South suburbs are a little more laid back and less expensive, but then there also less employment and shopping as well. You can probably get an acre or two easily around Peotone or Monee maybe?

Generally going straight north from Chicago towards Wisconsin, unless you have $$ might be difficult in Lake County. Other than wealthy estates and forest preserves, you gotta get well north of Gurnee to see anything country-like.

Hope this helps Tweety!

[scottmi]

^^^ I agree - straight south of Chicago really isn't all that awful and even though the Dan Ryan is a pain to drive at times, at least you're a straight shot once you're on it to the heart of downtown Chicago.

Dead North of Chicago may be an option as well but the Oak Park / Schaumburg areas are too pricey for a yard and everything under $200k.