Young couple/family trying to decide which suburb is best (Chicago: apartment, crime rates)

[Glados]

My wife and I are looking to buy a starter home around 300-350k sometime within the next year. We will also be starting a family within the next couple of years. We've been in an apartment in Elmhurst for the last year, and we've both really enjoyed Elmhurst so far, but we want to make sure we're in the best suburb for us. Neither of us know much about the west suburbs --she's from the south suburbs and I grew up in central Illinois.

Our priorities would be great schools, great walkable downtown areas, and not a terrible commute to both Oak Park (driving) and downtown Chicago (public transportation). A nearby nice shopping area like the Oak Brook mall/22nd street/Butterfield corridor would be a nice bonus. We're both in our mid-20's and it would be nice to have some people our age around us, but it's not extremely important. Great parks and outdoor activity space would also be fantastic.

For the schools, I realize I won't have kids in them for awhile, but I really want to find a town and settle in there. Even if I end up upgrading my house in 6 years, I want to live in the same general area. We've moved around a lot in the last 5 years, so it would be nice to put some roots down.

Any specific suburbs that we should look into? What schools districts are the best, where we could get a decent house in our price range? How are the Elmhurst schools and would be able to find a place we like in an area we like here? Is there something that fits our needs/wants better than Elmhurst, or something similar where we could get more house for the money?

[Glados]

Anyone? Bueller?

[sfcambridge]

Why not Oak Park? It's seems the most convenient for you, and schools are fine.

You don't have a shopping center right there, but there are assortments of strip mall/chain stores in towns nearby, and you can drive to Oakbrook.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Glados

Anyone? Bueller?

Should be: Anyone? Chet Everett?

[Glados]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Should be: Anyone? Chet Everett?

Very true. Where'd that guy go anyway?

For Oak Park, we're not really interested in it as, from what I read on here and have seen in person, it's a bit too city-like for me. I don't really care about the diversity and public transportation that everyone loves there and the worse crime rates/schools/parking is a big negative for us. Looking for more a suburban place than urban place. I grew up on a farm so that would be a bit too much of a change!

But, maybe I'm wrong about Oak Park? Can anyone convince me otherwise?

[chisub]

LaGrange, Riverside, Downers Grove? I think the hardest part is going to be the budget.

[sfcambridge]

Originally Posted by Glados

Very true. Where'd that guy go anyway?

For Oak Park, we're not really interested in it as, from what I read on here and have seen in person, it's a bit too city-like for me. I don't really care about the diversity and public transportation that everyone loves there and the worse crime rates/schools/parking is a big negative for us. Looking for more a suburban place than urban place. I grew up on a farm so that would be a bit too much of a change!

But, maybe I'm wrong about Oak Park? Can anyone convince me otherwise?

Well, if you already work there and it hasn't given you a good feeling for what you want, then that's ok. It's not for everyone. Many people do want more space with their houses and fewer business/restaurants etc... I might recommend that you once walk around the neighborhoods in Oak Park, or drive through South Oak Park (more your price range) to see what the typical streets are like. If that isn't ok for you, then that's it. I've seen some people that aren't fans, and if you are more of an Oak Brook type of shopper then a Trader Joe's/Costco type of shopper, then maybe going further West might be better?

Honestly, I have to laugh though when people call Oak Park "urban", because to me it was still boring suburbia when I was growing up! But it is true that there are other suburbs that have fewer sidewalks, more track homes/subdivisions... is that more what you are looking for? It may be hard to find a lot more land with your house in a suburb with the things you want, close enough to commute downtown, in your price range.

BTW Schools in Oak Park are fine... that's just Chet trying to scare people off because he is not a fan of diversity. Parking is no problem if you have a house, unless you like to have frequent overnight visitors and don't have an extra space for them to park. Crime is mostly nuisance crime. Keep your garage locked, don't leave a computer on the front seat of your car unlocked... or tell your child not to leave his bike unlocked in front of his school.... Pretty much common sense. But that might still make you uneasy, if you are used to living on a farm.

Unfortunately I don't know Elmhurst so I can't compare.... Hopefully more will post.

[Glados]

Originally Posted by sfcambridge

Well, if you already work there and it hasn't given you a good feeling for what you want, then that's ok. It's not for everyone. Many people do want more space with their houses and fewer business/restaurants etc... I might recommend that you once walk around the neighborhoods in Oak Park, or drive through South Oak Park (more your price range) to see what the typical streets are like. If that isn't ok for you, then that's it. I've seen some people that aren't fans, and if you are more of an Oak Brook type of shopper then a Trader Joe's/Costco type of shopper, then maybe going further West might be better?

Honestly, I have to laugh though when people call Oak Park "urban", because to me it was still boring suburbia when I was growing up! But it is true that there are other suburbs that have fewer sidewalks, more track homes/subdivisions... is that more what you are looking for? It may be hard to find a lot more land with your house in a suburb with the things you want, close enough to commute downtown, in your price range.

BTW Schools in Oak Park are fine... that's just Chet trying to scare people off because he is not a fan of diversity. Parking is no problem if you have a house, unless you like to have frequent overnight visitors and don't have an extra space for them to park. Crime is mostly nuisance crime. Keep your garage locked, don't leave a computer on the front seat of your car unlocked... or tell your child not to leave his bike unlocked in front of his school.... Pretty much common sense. But that might still make you uneasy, if you are used to living on a farm.

Unfortunately I don't know Elmhurst so I can't compare.... Hopefully more will post.

Thanks for the good info -- I actually don't work in Oak Park, it's the wife that does. I've only been over there a couple of times, so I don't have much of a feel for it. With everyone raving about it, I think I definitely need to check it out in person a couple of more times.

What kind of price range are you thinking then if this is too low? This is more just a price range if we wanted to get a house within the next year -- if we wait, it could definitely go up once my career actually starts.

[Glados]

Originally Posted by chisub

LaGrange, Riverside, Downers Grove? I think the hardest part is going to be the budget.

Thought about Downers Grove for sure -- don't know much about LaGrange or Riverside? Any good info?

What about Naperville? Is this price range too low for that?

Although we both grew up here we're coming back from a stint in San Diego, so I knew the housing prices would drop precipitously from that, but I wasn't sure how much?

[kindrakindra]

I definitely think Downers Grover or La Grange fit what you are looking for. Also, Elmhurst itself is a fine option, but make sure you are comfortable with York.