What am I missing..... (Chicago, Arlington Heights: public schools, university, living)

[domodomo]

Our family is trying to choose between Columbus OH (Upper Arlington) and Chicago Suburbs. Within a 30 minute drive (google) offices in and around Hoffman Estates, Crystal lake, etc. which I think I would have to go between a couple of times a week. So I am a little worried about traffic. I would try to live somewhat close to Hoffman, I guess?

Columbus advantages
-Upper Arlington is walkable to shops, Whole Foods, schools.
-great public schools
-short commute (10 minutes)
-easy access to the city and major university (Ohio State)
-low cost of living (housing)
-little to no traffic
-short flights to east coast and Chicago

Chicago advantages
-I am in medicine and the business is stronger and has more potential
-Access to a world class city
-?
-?

We also could have gone to S. Cal or S. Florida, but with kids, it just seems like a good idea to keep it simple and take better vacations. Maybe Chicago is not as expensive as I think? What am I missing?

Cheers!

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by domodomo

Our family is trying to choose between Columbus OH (Upper Arlington) and Chicago Suburbs. Within a 30 minute drive (google) offices in and around Hoffman Estates, Crystal lake, etc. which I think I would have to go between a couple of times a week. So I am a little worried about traffic. I would try to live somewhat close to Hoffman, I guess?

Columbus advantages
-Upper Arlington is walkable to shops, Whole Foods, schools.
-great public schools
-short commute (10 minutes)
-easy access to the city and major university (Ohio State)
-low cost of living (housing)
-little to no traffic
-short flights to east coast and Chicago

Chicago advantages
-I am in medicine and the business is stronger and has more potential
-Access to a world class city
-?
-?

We also could have gone to S. Cal or S. Florida, but with kids, it just seems like a good idea to keep it simple and take better vacations. Maybe Chicago is not as expensive as I think? What am I missing?

Cheers!

Well, I think the Chicago suburbs offer all of the advantages you listed for Columbus except for the lost cost of living. Flights are longer, but between O'Hare and Midway you have way more options and if you're ever going west, of course those flights will be shorter.

I think the key is looking in the right area for your needs. Based on your post, I would try to live in the downtown area of Arlington Heights. The commute to Hoffman Estates would not be bad, you'd have great schools and a walkable lifestyle. You could also easily take the train to Chicago whenever you wanted to get there.

The main difference is that Chicago is just much bigger. We have more employers, more schools, a larger city, more cultural activities, etc. It costs more because, frankly, more people want to live here and more people are employed here. It may or may not be what you personally desire, but there are plenty of benefits.