Insight on Mount Prospect...compared to Downers, AH (Arlington Heights, Downers Grove: transplants, rentals)

[hlane17]

Hello!

Background: My family of four (kids 5 and 7) will be relocating to IL from the Twin Cities in a few months. We've done our research and have concentrated our house hunting in Arlington Heights and Downers Grove. Love the downtown areas, commutability (I'll be working near the Art Institute, husband will be in Lincolnwood) and top-rated schools. We have family in the Gurnee area and will gather with them often. We fell in love with the charm of Downers and also have friends there. However, with my husband working in Lincolnwood, we fear a much farther commute for him...it would be a breeze for me.

Question: We've found a house in Mount Prospect and would like to learn more about how transplants integrate/are accepted here. We'd be in the Hersey school district. I've had my heart set on Downers and AH, so I'm trying to wrap my head around living in Mount Prospect. It seems to show up on 'best places' lists, and I like the fact that there seems to be high community involvement and appreciation (park districts, festivals, etc.). Is there a 'charm' factor in Mount Prospect that would come close to Downers and AH?

Thanks!

[MPowering1]

I'm in Lake County and worked in Oak Brook for several years. For me, it was a 50 minute trip on a good day, but I noticed that those who had the reverse commute would often just be sitting there bumper to bumper. A friend of mine travels from Lombard to Vernon Hills and hates it. So going in the direction you're talking about is doable, but not pleasant.

I'm not sure what the commute would be from A.H. to Lincolnwood and it probably depends on where in Arlington Heights you're talking about.

With kids 5 and 7, most of your friends will be other parents you meet at their school, church, sporting events. You'll find friendly and unfriendly neighbors no matter where you end up. I know someone who lived in Mount Prospect for years and loved it, saying people were very down to earth and friendly, if that helps.

Be careful you're not buying in a flood zone if you decide Mount Prospect is the place to be. See the below link for additional information from the village.

Village of Mount Prospect : Flood Preparedness and Protection

[chet everett]

Lincolwood does not really strike me as having a whole lot of employment compared to places like Lincolnshire or even Glenview but if that is where work will be you probably would do well to consider the extra distance to / from Downers Grove compared to towns like Mt. Prospect or Arlington Heights.

Depending on individual hosuing trade-offs it probably makes sense to consider DG, especially if the home is on the north side of town or just real close to the tollways -- as long as you'd be on 355 or I-88 ahead of the peak rush hour this is not the worst commute in the region. Downers Grove has superior Metra service with the largest number of express trains into and out of Union Station so that side of the commute would be a breeze.

Arlington Heights is very similar to Mt. Prospect, the mostly border each other, have shared high school district, very similar aged homes, generally comparable layout, with homes nearer the core of each being generally more costly / desirable than those at the fringes. Overall lots of nice options.

[cubssoxfan]

The areas in Mt. Prospect that attend Hersey are decent neighborhoods. Just make sure that you are at least several blocks away from the townhomes and rentals on Wheeling Rd. between Euclid and Kensington. The ones that are adjacent to Randhurst shopping center.