Cowherd Middle School neighborhood in Aurora (Chicago, Naperville: apartment, rentals, condo)

[BrendanRabbitt]

My move to Madison, Wisconsin was cancelled. Instead, due to a job transfer; my family is moving to Aurora, IL. We were looking for homes in the Cowherd Middle School area, what's the review of the area. Predominant ethnicity? I'm in High School, so I'll be attending East.

[chet everett]

I hope your parents are not really limiting themselves to just homes in the area served by East Aurora, it is one of the worst performing districts in the region . The middle schools are pretty awful: HENRY W COWHERD MIDDLE SCHOOL: School Profile

With a little bit of searching it ought not be hard to find a home in a safer part of the region with better performing schools. Rental costs are likely only incrementally higher.

[chisub]

Ditto Chet. District 204 in Aurora that borders Naperville would be a good start.

[BrendanRabbitt]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I hope your parents are not really limiting themselves to just homes in the area served by East Aurora, it is one of the worst performing districts in the region .

With a little bit of searching it ought not be hard to find a home in a safer part of the region with better performing schools. Rental costs are likely only incrementally higher.

I'm in High School, so I'd be at East. I know that East is a very awful school and district; but I've attended some pretty bad schools (White Center schools in Seattle)

[BrendanRabbitt]

We're also considering an apartment or condo (if there's one) in the West Aurora district. It's a step up from East most likely.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by BrendanRabbitt

We're also considering an apartment or condo (if there's one) in the West Aurora district. It's a step up from East most likely.

As I stated the performance of East Aurora schools is signficantly behind that of the West Aurora schols. With careful shopping the cost differnce for rentals can be quite small...

[IAmEverywhere]

Avoid East Aurora High School at all costs.

I know someone who dropped out of that school after being beaten up on a regular basis.

I've visited Aurora frequently. Aurora's west side is a drastic improvement over its east side. This is not to say that the west side of Aurora should be your first choice. You would be much better of in District 204 (as already noted), even those areas within the Aurora city limits. Neighboring areas such as Batavia or Oswego would also be a dramatic improvement.

I've lived in Illinois for many years and have lived and worked in rough areas of other cities. Even the roughest areas of many cities are nowhere near as rough as the roughest areas of Illinois. Being able to survive in the worst areas of Seattle does not mean you'll be OK on the east side of Aurora. The east side of Aurora is probably more dangerous to begin with. This is compounded by you being at much higher risk due to being a newcomer.

That said, does your family have to live in the immediate vicinity of Aurora? The longer you're willing to commute, the more options you have.

[BrendanRabbitt]

Originally Posted by IAmEverywhere

Avoid East Aurora High School at all costs.

I know someone who dropped out of that school after being beaten up on a regular basis.

I've visited Aurora frequently. Aurora's west side is a drastic improvement over its east side. This is not to say that the west side of Aurora should be your first choice. You would be much better of in District 204 (as already noted), even those areas within the Aurora city limits. Neighboring areas such as Batavia or Oswego would also be a dramatic improvement.

I've lived in Illinois for many years and have lived and worked in rough areas of other cities. Even the roughest areas of many cities are nowhere near as rough as the roughest areas of Illinois. Being able to survive in the worst areas of Seattle does not mean you'll be OK on the east side of Aurora. The east side of Aurora is probably more dangerous to begin with. This is compounded by you being at much higher risk due to being a newcomer.

That said, does your family have to live in the immediate vicinity of Aurora? The longer you're willing to commute, the more options you have.

As we used to say: our "Hood" was a joke compared to areas in Oakland, LA, Chicago, New York.

We may also consider North Aurora, Batavia, or St Charles (We despise Geneva; so we'll not even consider it)

[aga412]

I would definitely go with Batavia!

[katheh]

The Cowherd School area is predominantly Hispanic and you will not hear much English being spoken there. If your family is not Hispanic I suspect your parents will have trouble finding a rental there. The surrounding neighborhoods are dangerous. Don't recommend East High School; I should know, my younger sister attended there.

Tell your parents to look into the West side. West is a better school, and rentals are the same cost. If your parents can afford Batavia, North Aurora, or St. Charles, they can afford Naperville or Aurora District 204.