Moving to Northern Chicago Suburbs

[ks-man]

While I don't disagree with the advice above dealing with the commute, this summer the travel has been exceptionally bad which won't be the norm. There has been major work done on Lake Cook and 22 with minor work being done on Deerfield Road (still felt major with the delays). This made all three horrible choices for travelling and thus people tried finding alternate routes which slowed those down as well. Just to give you an idea, those are three consecutive roads that go E-W and it has been brutal.

I think your three choices are reasonable for a commute to Northbrook. It would probably mean a 25 minute commute with 40 mins when dealing with bad construction. A home in Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Wilmette, HP, etc. will mean a shorter commute but you will pay far more in housing + taxes to live there. Don't get me wrong, they all have benefits so you are getting some great things for the money but you can't just say I'll choose Northbrook over Long Grove or VH to save on commute and just leave it at that. I'd guess a $650k home in Northbrook or Glenview would cost $475k in VH and that doesn't even take taxes into account (fair warning, I pulled these numbers out of my a$$ based on my knowledge of the area and thus might not be a true indication of the price difference).

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by ks-man

While I don't disagree with the advice above dealing with the commute, this summer the travel has been exceptionally bad which won't be the norm. There has been major work done on Lake Cook and 22 with minor work being done on Deerfield Road (still felt major with the delays). This made all three horrible choices for travelling and thus people tried finding alternate routes which slowed those down as well. Just to give you an idea, those are three consecutive roads that go E-W and it has been brutal.

I think your three choices are reasonable for a commute to Northbrook. It would probably mean a 25 minute commute with 40 mins when dealing with bad construction. A home in Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Wilmette, HP, etc. will mean a shorter commute but you will pay far more in housing + taxes to live there. Don't get me wrong, they all have benefits so you are getting some great things for the money but you can't just say I'll choose Northbrook over Long Grove or VH to save on commute and just leave it at that. I'd guess a $650k home in Northbrook or Glenview would cost $475k in VH and that doesn't even take taxes into account (fair warning, I pulled these numbers out of my a$$ based on my knowledge of the area and thus might not be a true indication of the price difference).

Construction has made it worse, but the traffic flow and having fewer E/W routes because of the Des Plaines river and forest preserve contribute to the problem. 25 minutes from VH or Long Grove to Northbrook Only if it's not during rush hour

[hc7612]

Again, a big thanks to everyone who responded. I went over the times with him, and he said 40 minutes is just too much. It looks like we should be either north or south of Northbrook. It pains me to spend that much more, for less house. Oh, well, such is life. We are now beginning our search in earnest. Thanks again everyone.

[chet everett]

I would not focus on "less house for the money" as much as "better life for the money". That includes more time to spend with family, better schools, a tighter sense of community...

Good Luck!

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I would not focus on "less house for the money" as much as "better life for the money". That includes more time to spend with family, better schools, a tighter sense of community...

Good Luck!

Very true! People look at the 3500SF house on 3/4 acre in Long Grove and then bemoan moving to "Only" a 2700SF house on 1/5 acre in Glenview. AND they forget that they are in a typically:

• More walkable neighborhood with actual sidewalks
• Parks are walking distance not, need to drive to
• Closer to Chicago proper
• usually more restaurants and shopping in closer distances
• better traffic patterns and easier commutes
• less yard and house to clean, maintain, heat and cool