Orland Park, Orland Township, Homer Glen (Union, Golf: houses, neighborhood, school)

[maccupiccu9]

Ok we have narrowed down the area and have been frantically been searching for a home. Ours in Palos is on the market. So we've been searching Orland Park, Orland Township, and Homer Glen. Our preference was Orland Park but either they are too expensive, too high in taxes or no 1/2-1 acre land. And if we do find something, then it's a gut job. So we started to look into Homer--most that we "liked" online were super far (past Parker) and I really didn't want to go that far for the Metra to downtown.

So w/in this past month, we've found 2 awesome homes. However, one got bought under us before we had a chance at a bidding war. The second--the biggest flake owner and we gave up. So now we found a third contender. We love it. The problem now is that it's in Orland Township. I've never lived in unincorporated before so I have no idea about resale (huge home but all comps are showing houses selling for $350k when in Orland Park, they would have sold over $450), well water, didnt' realize that we can't take advantage of in-resident park district rates (pool, etc), and then the fire department has it's own phone number (I guess you don't dial 911??). It makes me wonder. I LOVE the neighborhood, the house, the yard size, it's so close for Metra for me....everything is perfect but then I realized what unincorporated means.

My husband really, really wants a unique house on an acre. Again, for Orland, that's hard to come by. I was even going as far as 170th and Wolf/Will Cook and he didn't like anything. I just want to find something solid, good affordability, and yea, different would be great but I was open to a lot of other reasons.

So is Orland Township a mistake? We drove around the neighborhood near Silver Lake Golf Course. The people were very friendly, saw a lot of weekend house parties/bbqs, kids (we have a 4 year old) and we talked with the neighbors of the house we wanted and they were really nice.

Am I worried about unincorporated stuff for nothing? This is going to be our hopeful forever home until retirement (25 years).

[chet everett]

Well water can be quite a hassle, especially older systems that are prone to costly repairs. I personally have seen many private wells need thousands of dollars in emergancy fixes at the worth possible time (typically sub-zero weather or super high heat...). I would investigate the possibility of connecting to a municipal water source...

I believe you are mistaken about the Fire Protection district not being on the 911 system District Overview : Orland Fire Protection District

Personally I like being part of an area that has a local police force (unicorporated areas rely on County Sheriff's Deputies) Most folks like Park District and Library. There is a diminished deand to have an rural sized lot but these are really "different strokes for different folks" type things...


I suspect the big discount may also indicate that the school boundaries are not quite as favorable. That is worth researching if you value an education.

[maccupiccu9]

School boundaries are fine. The connection to the municipal has to be a vote on the entire unincorporated to incorporated. Most who live in unincorporated vote no because they like to do what they want and the thought of no water bill. I'm honestly split either way. I'm more concerned about resale value.

[TGPII]

Why leave palos? Hills, park, heights?

[4122]

Originally Posted by maccupiccu9

Ok we have narrowed down the area and have been frantically been searching for a home. Ours in Palos is on the market. So we've been searching Orland Park, Orland Township, and Homer Glen. Our preference was Orland Park but either they are too expensive, too high in taxes or no 1/2-1 acre land. And if we do find something, then it's a gut job. So we started to look into Homer--most that we "liked" online were super far (past Parker) and I really didn't want to go that far for the Metra to downtown.

So w/in this past month, we've found 2 awesome homes. However, one got bought under us before we had a chance at a bidding war. The second--the biggest flake owner and we gave up. So now we found a third contender. We love it. The problem now is that it's in Orland Township. I've never lived in unincorporated before so I have no idea about resale (huge home but all comps are showing houses selling for $350k when in Orland Park, they would have sold over $450), well water, didnt' realize that we can't take advantage of in-resident park district rates (pool, etc), and then the fire department has it's own phone number (I guess you don't dial 911??). It makes me wonder. I LOVE the neighborhood, the house, the yard size, it's so close for Metra for me....everything is perfect but then I realized what unincorporated means.

My husband really, really wants a unique house on an acre. Again, for Orland, that's hard to come by. I was even going as far as 170th and Wolf/Will Cook and he didn't like anything. I just want to find something solid, good affordability, and yea, different would be great but I was open to a lot of other reasons.

So is Orland Township a mistake? We drove around the neighborhood near Silver Lake Golf Course. The people were very friendly, saw a lot of weekend house parties/bbqs, kids (we have a 4 year old) and we talked with the neighbors of the house we wanted and they were really nice.

Am I worried about unincorporated stuff for nothing? This is going to be our hopeful forever home until retirement (25 years).

If you have a water softner in good condition, the well water should be fine. If you like the area and the house, go for it. Just check the comps and make sure the home isn't overpriced for that area of Orland Park.

[dacas1]

You should be able to find what you're looking for in Homer, east of Parker and north of 159th. Large, wooded lots are the norm.

The closest train would be the Orland Park station at 153rd and 108th ave. One hour to Union Station.

Most of the homes in that area are on city water, the only drawback is that you pay for it - big time. Illinois American Water bill is $100 per month in the winter, could be triple in the summer if you have a sprinkler system.