South West Suburbs (Chicago, Joliet, Orland Park: how much, tax, living)

[deechee]

Originally Posted by slederma

My thanks to everyone for their opinions. I may have been a bit too vague with my definition of rural. I just don't want to live next door to a factory. From the bit of looking I have done, Plainfield and Romeoville (in Plainfield schools) looks pretty good. Bolingbrook looked like a possibility until I researched the schools. I couldn't find many people who had nice things to say. So I guess my question now is, what everyone thinks of the Plainfield / Romeoville area and if anyone has any reason(s) they would be wary of settling there. Once again I appreciate all your help.

I would go Plainfield.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

5 years back we purchased or contracted a home in Bolingbrook.
After getting home and sleeping on that one- we woke up with serious buyers remorse. We ended up backing out but for reasons not posted on this board to this day I still do not regret backing out of that situation. Since I have driven thru that neighborhood in Bolingbrook and dont regret backing out one bit.

We based our decision on access to a metra line and Bolingbrook did not have
Not sure if thats important to you but it really was to us and besides Plainfield not having metra I dont see any other downsides.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

5 years back we purchased or contracted a home in Bolingbrook.
After getting home and sleeping on that one- we woke up with serious buyers remorse. We ended up backing out but for reasons not posted on this board to this day I still do not regret backing out of that situation. Since I have driven thru that neighborhood in Bolingbrook and dont regret backing out one bit.

We based our decision on access to a metra line and Bolingbrook did not have
Not sure if thats important to you but it really was to us and besides Plainfield not having metra I dont see any other downsides.

I wonder why there isn't one. I looked it up and the closest stops are in Lemont, Lockport and not so close in Joliet...

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Not sure why but assuming no tracks for anything existed in that area
you got me looking at a map too and woodridge no station, darien no station
romeoville no station that whole area.

i do find it odd that bolingbrook has had that much growth in recent years even without access to a metra line close by.

granted 3-4 miles is not far but still you would need to travel to get there
espicially considering where you live in bolingbrook

i would speculate the relators dont expand too much on this subject

just something to remember if someone asks in the future about a relocation
to me thats a deal killer

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

Not sure why but assuming no tracks for anything existed in that area
you got me looking at a map too and woodridge no station, darien no station
romeoville no station that whole area.

i do find it odd that bolingbrook has had that much growth in recent years even without access to a metra line close by.

granted 3-4 miles is not far but still you would need to travel to get there
espicially considering where you live in bolingbrook

i would speculate the relators dont expand too much on this subject

just something to remember if someone asks in the future about a relocation
to me thats a deal killer

I don't find it odd at all. Bolingbrook grew rapidly during a time when gas was as cheap as tap water. Who cared about a Metra line through Bolingbrook when it was cheaper and faster to drive into the City? Not many. Now though, with gas near and over $4, this is a much more significant issue. 10-15 years ago, the fact that you could get a new spec house on a large lot was a much more important consideration than public transit access.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

well you certainly hit the mark on that one! and that is one great point and it makes all the sense in the world.

wasnt that long ago that gas was under what 2 bucks or a little over 2 bucks a gallon and back then - cant believe i am saying that (back then)
Like i am some old fart - who cared.. back then i drove an v8 and now a honda 4cyl -----

this is exactly the reason i think you will see a reverse flow back to the inner ring burbs like cicero, berwyn etc. that is just my opinion but i would speculate you will see that in the next census if fuel costs remain

[BRU67]

2 bucks? "Spikes" in gasoline prices over $2 before 2008 tended to trigger front page headlines and breathless editorials regarding impending economic catastrophy, not to mention depleted inventories of shot guns and canned goods at the nation's Wal Marts.

Gas for the most part was in the $1.50-$1.75 range during the salad days of Bolingbrook's growth. At those prices, it was cheaper to drive a Ford Excursion from Bolingbrook to the Loop and dock the thing at a City-run parking garage than to spring $6 bucks for a round trip Metra ticket.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

Not sure why but assuming no tracks for anything existed in that area
you got me looking at a map too and woodridge no station, darien no station
romeoville no station that whole area. ........
just something to remember if someone asks in the future about a relocation
to me thats a deal killer

That is strange. However, it wouldn't be a deal killer for me though, just my opinion though

Originally Posted by BRU67

I don't find it odd at all. Bolingbrook grew rapidly during a time when gas was as cheap as tap water. Who cared about a Metra line through Bolingbrook when it was cheaper and faster to drive into the City? Not many. Now though, with gas near and over $4, this is a much more significant issue. 10-15 years ago, the fact that you could get a new spec house on a large lot was a much more important consideration than public transit access.

I miss cheap gas!!! It's not fun anymore to just go outside. Everything has to be planned

Originally Posted by BRU67

Gas for the most part was in the $1.50-$1.75 range during the salad days of Bolingbrook's growth. At those prices, it was cheaper to drive a Ford Excursion from Bolingbrook to the Loop and dock the thing at a City-run parking garage than to spring $6 bucks for a round trip Metra ticket.

I've always wondered what driving an Excursion was like. I really miss the days of $1.30 gas...we went everywhere lol

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Yeah for some it would not be a deal killer, but in this scenario
my wife had to take metra very early in the morning.
Did not want her going out in any neighborhood good bad or in between
before sunrise so that but an end to that search

[linicx]

You guys are young. I remember when gas was $0.18/gallon and we had gas wars between the stations. In 1993 it was $0.68/gallon. and in 1998 it was approaching $0.80 cents. After 2000 it skyrocked to $5.00 in some places and milk was over $2.00/gallon.

The good ol' days are gone forever.