Which Chicago suburbs are the best? (Aurora, Naperville: new home, high schools, to live in)

[Evie7463]

I think it may be quite true that the further north you go, the better the schools (esp. New Trier).

[M TYPE X]

Chesterton, Indiana would be an option for someone looking to live between Chicago and South Bend. I hate getting off that exit, though, because traffic really sucks, and Indiana drivers are always in their minivans with their ten kids, doing everything except driving. Hoosiers aren't good at anything except being better than Buckeyes. Live life - live in the state with the governors that are better at being corrupt.

I'd pick Glen Ellyn or Palatine over Merrillville, no problem. TAXMAN is gonna get you no matter where you live, so might as well play it good. The radio reception is better in Illinois and the quantity of shopping malls is outmatched only by the higher quality of choices and selection.

[wutoldme]

A nice comfortable (tree lined) and affordable suburb to consider is Mount Prospect. The people there have a city like manner and are very down to Earth. Property values there are growing. My nephew graduated from the high school there and just by observing it seems like the kids there are very tight with each other. The high school there has a decent football program and the kids seem not to be too overparented and pretty mature. Nice place to consider and invest in. A lot of newly, modestly remodeled houses. A nice park district where everyone knows everyone at the baseball fields. If I had to raise my kids in any suburb it would be Mount Prospect or something comprable like Park Ridge or Arlington Heights. Getting a house in the city should be the goal for anyone moving to the Chicagoland area though. City kids have something suburban kids don't. Nice areas are Edgebrook, Sauganash and Forest Glen. Edison Park and Norwood Park should be avoided. Must send kids to a Catholic school if in the city though. Unless you go to a fresh magnet school, I'm just keepin it real. The city of Chicago is a testament to the fine people of the Midwest. They're direct, don't bull **** and are not afraid to dish out and receive blows. However they are some of the most loyal and just differently smart people. Cook county including the city and the suburbs is probably one of the overall nicest areas of the country. Do not fool yourself and think you are raising a Chicagoan by living in Aurora or Naperville. Those are garbage cities with garbage people. Anywhere further out than and including Schaumburg is also garbage. There is a thing about city people that makes them very smart, and the some of the strongest people in the world are Chicagoan. South Siders are a different breed, but the best areas are parts of Beverly and Mount Greenwood. To Anyone thinking of living in the Chicago area, I cannot advise the move enough. You will not be dissapointed with the finest most free thinking people in the country. Also, a thing people dont realize is that people who are born in Chicago, die in Chicago. Chicago-- the biggest small town in the world.

God Bless.

[NDBPRR]

Do not over look the area around New Lenox in Will County. Excellent schools in an area where the next boom will take place. Rail transportation on two commuter lines to downtown Chicago and excellent roads and infrastructure. A laid back area of proefssionals and gereally nice people. New Lenox proper has cut property tax rates for 17 consecutive years. Housing is very affordable. The Licnolnway high school district is building two new high schools at the same time without raising taxes due to foresight years ago. Three major shopping malls are to be built next to the newly opened I-355 including a very upscale one. Right now it is at the very edge of suburbia with lots of open land available.

[Windy City John]

Originally Posted by Evie7463

I think it may be quite true that the further north you go, the better the schools (esp. New Trier).

Are you referring to Wisconsin or Canada?

[elisabetm]

I've sorted through all of these pages and still would love some additional opinions. We've been living for about a year and a half in Naperville. We relocated for a job and used to live in MI (a middle class burb of Detroit). Well....we are pretty much hating the way of life in Naperville. I agree with a lot of what has been said about this town (the positive and the negative). I wish that I had seen this forum a few years ago! At any rate, this town just isn't a good match for us. My kids have had a really awful time making friends and fitting in-even after a year and a half! What town fits the bill for being more friendly, less pretentious, more down to earth, more character in the housing and closer to the city? We are looking at Elmhurst...any thoughts on how it compares to Naperville?

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by elisabetm

I've sorted through all of these pages and still would love some additional opinions. We've been living for about a year and a half in Naperville. We relocated for a job and used to live in MI (a middle class burb of Detroit). Well....we are pretty much hating the way of life in Naperville. I agree with a lot of what has been said about this town (the positive and the negative). I wish that I had seen this forum a few years ago! At any rate, this town just isn't a good match for us. My kids have had a really awful time making friends and fitting in-even after a year and a half! What town fits the bill for being more friendly, less pretentious, more down to earth, more character in the housing and closer to the city? We are looking at Elmhurst...any thoughts on how it compares to Naperville?

Ahhhh, another post of somebody that found Naperville to be a snob ridden hell hole with million dollar homes. Gee who would have thunk???

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by elisabetm

At any rate, this town just isn't a good match for us. My kids have had a really awful time making friends and fitting in-even after a year and a half! What town fits the bill for being more friendly, less pretentious, more down to earth, more character in the housing and closer to the city? We are looking at Elmhurst...any thoughts on how it compares to Naperville?

I had a similar experience when I moved to Barrington (yes, I know there are pretentious as well as down-to-earth people everywhere). I still haven't found the right fit so we'll be moving this year. We're also trying to find a town with great schools, down-to-earth people, lower crime, housing with character, easy city access... Is it even possible in Chicagoland?

We've just started looking at Wilmette/Evanston area because we love the lakefront. But I don't have much experience with the area yet. I'll be interested in the responses you receive...

[aragx6]

Sounds like Evanston might work well for you.

[InformedConsent]

Originally Posted by elisabetm

I've sorted through all of these pages and still would love some additional opinions. We've been living for about a year and a half in Naperville. We relocated for a job and used to live in MI (a middle class burb of Detroit). Well....we are pretty much hating the way of life in Naperville. I agree with a lot of what has been said about this town (the positive and the negative). I wish that I had seen this forum a few years ago! At any rate, this town just isn't a good match for us. My kids have had a really awful time making friends and fitting in-even after a year and a half! What town fits the bill for being more friendly, less pretentious, more down to earth, more character in the housing and closer to the city? We are looking at Elmhurst...any thoughts on how it compares to Naperville?

If college readiness is an important factor for your kids, take a look at the U.S. News and World Report's Illinois results for the Best U.S. High Schools. Illinois has 6 Gold Medal winners, Stevenson and five selective admission/magnet schools in Chicago. Any of the 24 Silver Medal winners would be a good choice. You could then pinpoint a few communities that have great schools and match the environment you're looking for.

Elmhurst's high school didn't win gold, silver, or bronze, so take that into consideration if college prep is a criteria for your family.

Here's the link. You can sort by county:
http://www.usnews.com/directories/hi...y+/detail+less