Hanover Park vs Bensenville (Arlington Heights, Schaumburg: short sales, foreclosures, renting)

[sp0705]

Hi everyone,

I grew up in the NW burbs of the city (Wheeling/Buffalo Grove/Arlington Heights area), and when I ventured outside of there, it was generally into the city. I have spent very little time in any burbs south of Woodfield Mall. I am looking to buy my first home now, and while the rates are excellent right, I am having a difficult time finding a good house in my price range.

I have come across a good amount of homes in the Hanover Park area that are possibilities, and because of that, have done a decent amount of research on HP. I have a fairly good idea about what school districts and areas to focus my search around.

However, I have recently found some properties in the Bensenville area. I know very little about this area, and regular Google searches aren't helping me out too much. There seems to be a lot less info out there for Benseville than I found for Hanover Park.

I was hoping someone could give me some more information about the Bensenville area as far as the school districts (mainly concerned about Elementary, as I don't have kids yet), safety, or anything else I should be aware of.

Also, if you have any knowledge on the Hanover Park area, I would love to hear it.

Thank you in advance for any help!

[chet everett]

I would hesitate to recommend either area without knowing at least a little bit about your employment situation, needs in housing, goals with buying and longer term plans...

Schools in neither area are particularly impressive, nor are commute options or employment growth.

[vandre]

Originally Posted by sp0705

Hi everyone,

I grew up in the NW burbs of the city (Wheeling/Buffalo Grove/Arlington Heights area), and when I ventured outside of there, it was generally into the city. I have spent very little time in any burbs south of Woodfield Mall. I am looking to buy my first home now, and while the rates are excellent right, I am having a difficult time finding a good house in my price range.

I have come across a good amount of homes in the Hanover Park area that are possibilities, and because of that, have done a decent amount of research on HP. I have a fairly good idea about what school districts and areas to focus my search around.

However, I have recently found some properties in the Bensenville area. I know very little about this area, and regular Google searches aren't helping me out too much. There seems to be a lot less info out there for Benseville than I found for Hanover Park.

I was hoping someone could give me some more information about the Bensenville area as far as the school districts (mainly concerned about Elementary, as I don't have kids yet), safety, or anything else I should be aware of.

Also, if you have any knowledge on the Hanover Park area, I would love to hear it.

Thank you in advance for any help!

What is your price range OP? Also have you looked into Roselle? it is next to Hanover Park, but it has better schools. Single family homes can be had in the low 200s, even below that if you consider foreclosures

[sp0705]

Hi Chet,

My apologies. Here is some more background info:

- I have a steady job in Rolling Meadows/Schaumburg area. Very good job security, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of me eventually leaving for a higher salary somewhere else.
- I am currently renting with a friend in Mundelein, but I would like a place of my own, and would much prefer to buy with the rates we are seeing now. I also do not want to be so far north.
- I have a steady girlfriend, and at this point have the intention of this leading to marriage/family.
- While this house does not need to be a dream home, and I do not need to be in it for a very extended period of time, I would obviously like to have something that I am happy with, and would be safe/have good schools in case a family starts before I am able to pick up and move again. Like my parents keep telling me, their house was meant to be for 5-6 years, and here they are, still in it, 34 years later.

As far as Hanover Park goes, it seemed that the Schaumburg side, district 54/211 was fairly good. I think I would rather stay away from the U-46 schools in that area of Hanover/Streamwood.

What I have seen, Bensenville school are not looking very good to me. Since asking this question, I may have found the answers I couldn't find for the last few days before posting.

My current house search is in practically every city from Buffalo Grove to the North, Hoffman Estates/Hanover Park to the West, Des Plaines to the East, and Addison to the South. I'm trying to keep the price under $165,000, but that is flexible either way depending on taxes. Ideally, I would like 3 bed, 2 bath, garage, backyard, basement (or extra living area aside from main family room). I'm willing to be flexible on any particular aspect of the house, assuming the rest can make up for whatever I'm giving up. I know my wants aren't out of the question, because I have seen multiple houses that recently sold which were what I am looking for. While kids won't be on the way immediately, I would like to plan for the fact that there may be one or two while I am still in this house.

I would appreciate any insight into these areas, or maybe even some areas I'm not thinking of but should be. Thanks again!

[gardener34]

Bensenville has tons of air traffic from O'Hare. thus lots of noisy planes. Don't know much about either burb. But I do know about the planes because I work near there and I have worked in Bensenville in the past.

[demicent]

I grew up in Bensenville. The noise from the airplanes can make it impossible to hold a conversation, watch TV, listen to music, sleep...they did come through and "soundproof" some of the homes under the runways many years ago but it's still pretty awful.

If you are thinking of moving to Hanover Park be careful of the areas around the landfill. The methane gas / basement combination in certain areas is being explored. I just spent two years helping my daughter shop for homes in Hanover Park, and it is one of the most affordable suburbs. We found a lot of foreclosures and short sales, and for some reason many of them had plumbing problems and bad mold. More than other communities. I think some of the builders made the same bad plumbing and building decisions throughout their entire subdivisions.

[plates]

I would pick Hanover Park over Bensenville for reasons previously stated.

[chet everett]

I would pick a smaller more affordable home in need of a little fixing up in a more desirable town before I would choose either of the towns mentioned. I might choose the towns if I needed a home for my family and it was close to employment but for a single guy or young couple without kinds there are better options...

[ProgMichael]

Originally Posted by vandre

What is your price range OP? Also have you looked into Roselle? it is next to Hanover Park, but it has better schools. Single family homes can be had in the low 200s, even below that if you consider foreclosures

I 2nd vandre's suggestion.

[ToriaT]

I think if you really looked and settled for a smaller home or even a townhome you could find something in a better town than either.