Chicago burbs vs. Cleveland burbs

[ClevelandskyMan]

The suburbs in Chicago are extremely far out. It can take more than an 2 hours just to get to downtown Chicago from the suburbs.

In Cleveland, 30 minutes tops will get you to downtown from the outer suburbs.

That, and the fact that most suburbs in Chicago are developed by one builder who builds the same house design over and over.

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by ClevelandskyMan

The suburbs in Chicago are extremely far out. It can take more than an 2 hours just to get to downtown Chicago from the suburbs.

In Cleveland, 30 minutes tops will get you to downtown from the outer suburbs.

That, and the fact that most suburbs in Chicago are developed by one builder who builds the same house design over and over.

Two hours?? Most suburbs are inside of 40 minutes to the Loop. I mean, is Rockford a suburb now?? Even so, that can often be under 2 hours to the Loop.

Most suburbs are developed by one builder?? Do you realize that "most suburbs" means literally hundreds of towns, comprising of millions of people, that were built-out over the last 200 years?? Sheesh, talk about overgeneralizing.

[Sancho Romney]

Thoughts on Sandburg/Stagg HS areas? I gather it is undergoing demographic change like much of the Southside burbs but we have friends there who swear it's a good family area to buy property in.

[holl1ngsworth]

Last weekend, my wife and I drove to Indiana for some apple picking with our toddler. En route we had an interesting conversation about the contrasting real estate along 88 and 294. The glittering high-rise offices of 88, stretching from Oak Brook in the east to Aurora in the west, stand in stark contrast to the endless manufacturing plants, warehouses and logistic centers along 294, from 55 in the north to 80 in the south. These stretches of highway are microcosms that more-or-less represent the major differences in regional employment.

And therein lies the advantage of living along the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor (west), Illinois Golden Corridor (northwest) or Lakeshore Corridor (north). It’s all about making sure your investment will have the widest number of buyers when it comes time to resell. When you’re investing in a $450k home, those future buyers will be of the white-collar variety. The problem with the southwest suburbs is the severe lack of local white-collar employment. The only buyers left for upscale Orland-type spots are those corporate folks who commute to Chicago for work. A very narrow market when compared to other regions supported by both employment in Chicago and employment along a nearby corridor. More buyers will tend to drive up prices; an absence of buyers will see prices fall.

Couple these demographic issues with the fact that towns like Orland Park and Palos Park are 'bedroom communities' in the purest sense of the phrase, and you have a perfect recipe for home price depreciation. Most of the south and southwest suburbs, which were hurriedly built-out during the housing boom, lack the downtown districts and central gathering places of their historic neighbors to the west and north. Low on charm and walkability, high on cookie-cutter subdivisions and car-dependent strip malls… these are the things that make 2014 families cringe. And I’m not just blowing smoke: all of Chicagoland saw home prices fall dramatically during the housing crisis -- the problem has been with the recovery. While home prices are nearing '06-'07 highs in the western, northwestern and northern suburbs, they've barely come off their lows in the south and southwest. The only exception might be Frankfort.

Regarding Stagg and Sandburg: I would stay away from Stagg altogether. The slide has already begun and the test scores reflect the trend. The most recent data shows Stagg scoring only slightly above the state average on the PSAE: AMOS ALONZO STAGG HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Academic Progress | Illinois Report Card. Sandburg is still a great school – just spend some time in Orland Park first, and know what you’re getting into. I know the appeal of big house for small money can be great, but remember the old mantra: location, location, location.

[Sancho Romney]

Final thoughts, guys (and thanks again for all the responses). Best affordable place to:

-Commute to downtown
-Send daughter to public HS
-Be able to walk/let wife & daughter walk at night
-Under 450k purchase or 2000/mo rent
-... And maybe even be able to walk to a 'local' tavern myself for a pint or two

Also, I will throw this out there. Grew up in an area with lots of cops and firefighters (my two best friends growing up joined PD & FD) in Cleveland and it keeps the neighborhood safe so something like that is a plus.

Cheers

[holl1ngsworth]

I'll throw Wheaton out there again, although many other suburbs would fit the bill as well: Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Naperville, Mt. Prospect, Palatine, Park Ridge and La Grange Park to name a few.

Wheaton has two outstanding high schools and is frequently ranked as one of the safest cities in America. I would link to the list, but it's on a competitor's website. Just Google "Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S." Wheaton is ranked number 51. Even on City-Data, the numbers show that Wheaton is the safest city of its size in all of Illinois.

With $450k you could buy a home that is walking distance to downtown pubs where you could grab a pint or two after work. There is even a microbrewery opening in a couple months. Your wife and daughter could safely walk (even at night) to local eateries, bakeries or boutiques.

Regarding PD & FD: Wheaton is home to excellent police and fire departments, and because of the town's position as the 'county seat' of DuPage, it is also home the 'home base' for officers of the DuPage County Sheriff's Department. I see nearly as many County Sheriff's on patrol as I do local Wheaton officers. Certainly adds to overall safety of the community.

[Sancho Romney]

Thanks H. You have been a great resource. Bookmarked the properties you referred to earlier.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Sancho Romney

Commute to downtown
-Send daughter to public HS
-Be able to walk/let wife & daughter walk at night
-Under 450k purchase or 2000/mo rent
-... And maybe even be able to walk to a 'local' tavern myself for a pint or two

I have all of these things in Glen Ellyn, and I think nearly every town we have recommended also has these things--though some would be a struggle to stay in budget. If you feel like you are focusing in on anything specific, let me know and I can give more details. I feel like you may still be casting a pretty wide net at this point, but this will get easier as you start to narrow things down a bit. Chicagoland has something like 300 distinct suburbs, so hopefully we have at least given you a starting point. Also, if you start to see some houses and neighborhoods you like using realty web sites or Google Maps, we might be able to find a similar area.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

Two hours?? Most suburbs are inside of 40 minutes to the Loop. I mean, is Rockford a suburb now?? Even so, that can often be under 2 hours to the Loop.

Most suburbs are developed by one builder?? Do you realize that "most suburbs" means literally hundreds of towns, comprising of millions of people, that were built-out over the last 200 years?? Sheesh, talk about overgeneralizing.

Agreed. That was a ridiculous post. (Clevelandskyman, not you!)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by ClevelandskyMan

The suburbs in Chicago are extremely far out. It can take more than an 2 hours just to get to downtown Chicago from the suburbs.

In Cleveland, 30 minutes tops will get you to downtown from the outer suburbs.

That, and the fact that most suburbs in Chicago are developed by one builder who builds the same house design over and over.

That is absolutely ridiculous. lol

Im sorry, man, but really? I hope noone takes you seriously.