Mount Prospect/Arlington Heights neighborhoods? (Schaumburg, Palatine: real estate market, apartments, condos)

[sarah2115]

Hello Everyone,

My husband and I currently live in the city and are starting our housing search in the suburbs. We are very interested in both Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights. We want to start a family soon and are both very social people. We would love to end up in a neighborhood that is family friendly and very social. Any and all ideas would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Sarah

[chet everett]

The vast majority of people living in single family homes in either area have school age children. If your socialization currently centers around couples with kids you probably will easily find areas that match your current situation.

If you don't you yet have school age children you might want to scout out the various areas where others in similar situation are likely to be. In both towns there had been a bit of "move up" cycle with couples initially buying smaller homes, then improving them if they were in a nice location (typically withing walking distance of schools and the train) or moving into areas closer to the core of town. The disruptions to the real estate market have sorta broken this model a little bit which depending on your budget might mean nicer homes are available than for families starting out a few years ago...

[linicx]

Arlington Heights is larger that Mount Prospect, plus it is located in Cook and Lake Counties. There may be a tax advantage living in Lake County, but I wouldn't swear to it. At the least it is something that is probably worth looking into. The few times I went to AH for the horse races. I was impressed as I drove around town. I though it was clean and a very nice town as a whole. I never lived there.

As you are planning on starting a family soon you might want to check out areas near the schools as between now and August 1st is when the most housing stock will be available. Talk to parents. Unless you pare lanning for a large family a 3 bedroom 2 bath home will serve you well for a number of years especially if you find a house with a basement. I looked a the city description,etc.. There may be some advantages in AH you won't find in Mount Prospect.

I bought and sold houses in several states. I still think potential buyers can learn more about the heart and soul of a city in casual conversation in the grocery stores, and in the local restaurant at breakfast, and by what is not in the local phone book, than what I ever could by using normal channels.

I never lived in Mount Prospect, either. Nevertheless here are some facts about each village for your perusal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arling...ghts,_Illinois ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Prospect,_Illinois

[chet everett]

I don't know that there are any single family homes in Arlington Heights across Lake-Cook Rd. and the most desirable spots are much closer to the core.

My wife grew up in Mt. Prospect and we considered several times moving there, I even owned a condo there for a while, I bought it with a tenant in it from a business associate and sold it to another investor at a nice profit. The core, close to the railroad, is generally the most desirable, and prices decline as you move out further toward the edges. The fall off in desirability to the south is even more pronounced due to shift in school district; a large number of apartments and O'Hare noise (along with fall off in land use near the old United Airlines campus) are further negatives.

The greater size of Arlington Heights means there are a wider range of neighborhoods that hold appeal for families, though the priciest homes remain those closest to the core / train. I have several friends and some co-workers that really enjoy Arlington Heights, those with kids like the schools and family oriented aspects, while those that never had kids or are empty nesters appreciate the range of eating spots, entertainment (especially the thoroughbred park) and access to other towns.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by linicx

Arlington Heights is larger that Mount Prospect, plus it is located in Cook and Lake Counties. There may be a tax advantage living in Lake County, but I wouldn't swear to it. At the least it is something that is probably worth looking into. The few times I went to AH for the horse races. I was impressed as I drove around town. I though it was clean and a very nice town as a whole. I never lived there.

As you are planning on starting a family soon you might want to check out areas near the schools as between now and August 1st is when the most housing stock will be available. Talk to parents. Unless you pare lanning for a large family a 3 bedroom 2 bath home will serve you well for a number of years especially if you find a house with a basement. I looked a the city description,etc.. There may be some advantages in AH you won't find in Mount Prospect.

I bought and sold houses in several states. I still think potential buyers can learn more about the heart and soul of a city in casual conversation in the grocery stores, and in the local restaurant at breakfast, and by what is not in the local phone book, than what I ever could by using normal channels.

I never lived in Mount Prospect, either. Nevertheless here are some facts about each village for your perusal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arling...ghts,_Illinois ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Prospect,_Illinois

Theres no part of Arlington Hts that crosses Lake County. AH borders Lake-Cook road but does not cross it. Anything on the other side of the county line is Long Grove.

[linicx]

What I read said AH was in mostly in Cook and a a part of Lake County. I accepted the statement as fact when I should know better. Thanks for setting the record straight.

[Suburban Gal]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Theres no part of Arlington Hts that crosses Lake County. AH borders Lake-Cook road but does not cross it. Anything on the other side of the county line is Long Grove.

I was just going to say I've lived in Lake County, IL my entire life and could never recall Arlington Heights being partially in my county.

I know Buffalo Grove is partially lake and partially cook, as is Wheeling, Barrington, and Deer Park. In addition, the same can be said for some communites on the western county border. Island Lake, Lakemoor, Port Barrington, Fox Lake, and Fox River Grove are partially lake and partially McHenry.

[3Series]

Good luck. Doesn't AH have 60,70,80,000 people? There will be kids and families sprinkled all over in apartments, condos, townhomes and SFH's. There are nice places and bad places. Try the "S' neighborhoods. Scarsdale, etc. Sorry, I'm drawing a blank on the other names.

[cubssoxfan]

In Mt. Prospect my choice would be neighborhoods within SD 57 and prospect HS and in Arlington Heights, within SD 25 or 23 and Hersey or Prospect. Excellent schools. A notch down but still good are SD 26 and Prospect HS, D25 and Rolling Meadows or Buffalo Grove, D23 and Wheeling or D21 and Buffalo Grove. Many good neighborhoods to choose from. Much depends on budget and what you wish to be close to.

You can also add Prospect Heights to your list.

[SuperH]

Mount Prospect is higher in elevation than Arlington Heights... by ten feet. :-)

I agree with cubssoxfan... Do not discount neighboring communities if they're within your reach... such as Prospect Heights.

Actually, in reality, you'll find a lot of schools in the area. If you're concerned with education, right up the road is Palatine in SD 15, and High School District 211. Both are consistently very highly ranked.

I've always said it, though... if I have kids (yeah, right) - consider the private schools in the area as well.

The whole area is very good. Since you live in the city, take a few weekends and scout around the suburbs - especially on fairer weather days. You should be able to judge the social feel of the area and neighborhoods pretty quickly.

...also check out Schaumburg (unless it's too far out). It offers a lot as far as social environment, and is very family friendly as well.