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Old 10-04-2014, 06:14 PM
 
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I have recently been notified that the company I work for who's HQ is in Deerfield, IL, is relocating its Westlake Village, CA office back to the HQ in IL and I have the opportunity to relocate. I am 31, born and raised So Cal, single parent of an 11-yo boy, with no friends or family in the Midwest. The company will provide a relocation specialist, but I am hoping to get some advice about neighborhoods, school districts with good public schools and affordable after school programs, and house/town house/condo/apartment rent prices. I would ideally like a 3 bed/ 2 bath so I would have a place for my parents or whoever should come to visit, but would settle for a 2 bed if necessary. Between 12-1500 sq ft. The top of my budget is $1800 w/ utilities. I would really love something between the city and Deerfield in hopes of having the best of both worlds, but comfortable/contemporary housing is a higher priority.
Also I would love any additional advice on the best way to meet people since my son and I will not know anyone... Only exception is I will already know some colleagues at work. Thanks!
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Old 10-04-2014, 06:41 PM
 
Location: Sweet Home Chicago!
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You'll get more detailed responses from those in the area, but Deerfield/Northbrook have excellent schools so you may as well look there. You can also look along the North Shore in areas like Highland Park, Winnetka, Wilmette.

You'll meet people by way of your Son's school activities and people in that area are friendly so no worries there, but born and raised in So Cal? wow! the weather in Chicago is going to rock your world!
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Old 10-06-2014, 12:06 PM
 
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Haha yes the weather is a bit of a concern... I just keep telling myself that people live through it every year. It will take some getting used to I'm sure lol
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Old 10-07-2014, 06:45 AM
 
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Originally Posted by Laughkc View Post
Haha yes the weather is a bit of a concern... I just keep telling myself that people live through it every year. It will take some getting used to I'm sure lol
We are considering the move from Phoenix to Chicago as well and tell ourselves the same thing. We have lived in Chicago before, but I was just a kid. The nice part about the weather there is if it's good or bad, you can count on it being different tomorrow, or even later that day. To us that is something we are looking forward to. We had 1 day of rain between mid December and June. So boring....haha....I'm sure I'll live to regret that statement!
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Old 10-07-2014, 06:53 AM
 
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And there is the fact that you get to explore a whole new side to fashion...wool sweaters, sturdy footwear, scarves, hats, cuorderoys, fur if you are open to that. I actually do think Chicago's fashion sense comes out best in winter...Moscow has nothing on us.
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Old 10-07-2014, 07:34 AM
 
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The north Chicago area tends to be expensive, maybe not in comparison to LA, but areas like Wilmette, Northfield, Winnetka, you aren't going to find a lot of rentals, and the ones that are available are above your price range for 3 beds. Schools in these areas are some of the highest rated in the state, generally speaking. However, there are some exceptions to these statements, like Evanston. Not all of Evanston, but there are parts of the city that are rough, other areas are very, very nice. Evanston, Skokie, Morton Grove, Wilmette, Lincolnwood all are roughly 15 miles from Deerfield, and 15 miles from downtown Chicago. I would suggest contacting a realtor or two to help you, they're best equipped to direct you to areas that you would want to live in that offer the best schools and amenities like after care for your child, shopping, etc..

Weather-wise, last winter sent even hardened midwesterners to the brink. I am hoping that the polar vortex doesn't make another visit. Invest in some very good coats and boots, and some gloves and scarves. Fall and winter fashion can be fun, but when it is -40, people tend to look like the Michelin man.
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Old 10-07-2014, 08:30 PM
 
Location: Arizona
3,763 posts, read 6,685,699 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrM827 View Post
We are considering the move from Phoenix to Chicago as well and tell ourselves the same thing. We have lived in Chicago before, but I was just a kid. The nice part about the weather there is if it's good or bad, you can count on it being different tomorrow, or even later that day. To us that is something we are looking forward to. We had 1 day of rain between mid December and June. So boring....haha....I'm sure I'll live to regret that statement!
The weather here is a love hate relationship. I don't mind the cold weather but if its snowing and freezing rain everyday then its a different story however a little bit isn't necessarily a bad thing. I lived in New Mexico for a while and it felt weird to be in the winter holidays with no snow, cold, etc. You can definitely count on variations in weather in Chicago.
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Old 10-08-2014, 01:58 PM
 
19 posts, read 23,832 times
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Originally Posted by Buzz Bee View Post
The north Chicago area tends to be expensive, maybe not in comparison to LA, but areas like Wilmette, Northfield, Winnetka, you aren't going to find a lot of rentals, and the ones that are available are above your price range for 3 beds. Schools in these areas are some of the highest rated in the state, generally speaking. However, there are some exceptions to these statements, like Evanston. Not all of Evanston, but there are parts of the city that are rough, other areas are very, very nice. Evanston, Skokie, Morton Grove, Wilmette, Lincolnwood all are roughly 15 miles from Deerfield, and 15 miles from downtown Chicago. I would suggest contacting a realtor or two to help you, they're best equipped to direct you to areas that you would want to live in that offer the best schools and amenities like after care for your child, shopping, etc..

Weather-wise, last winter sent even hardened midwesterners to the brink. I am hoping that the polar vortex doesn't make another visit. Invest in some very good coats and boots, and some gloves and scarves. Fall and winter fashion can be fun, but when it is -40, people tend to look like the Michelin man.
Thanks for the info! In my research, I'm noticing that the north suburbs are a bit more expensive than if I was to look more northwest. I may need to compromise on location as I think it would be better to be closer to work and be within very close proximity (less than a mile) to a middle school so my son can walk to/from school. I heard awful things about last winter from my colleauges located in Deerfield, but luckily our company allows telecommuting when the weather is unbearable. Kind of looking forward to bundling up inside on a freakishly cold day lol
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Old 10-08-2014, 02:03 PM
 
19 posts, read 23,832 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrM827 View Post
We are considering the move from Phoenix to Chicago as well and tell ourselves the same thing. We have lived in Chicago before, but I was just a kid. The nice part about the weather there is if it's good or bad, you can count on it being different tomorrow, or even later that day. To us that is something we are looking forward to. We had 1 day of rain between mid December and June. So boring....haha....I'm sure I'll live to regret that statement!
Southern California is pretty one dementional with an occassional cold winter night (low 20's), and with being about an hour inland, the very long summers of ongoing 90+ degree weather is exhausting. VERY little rain (hence the severe drought)! I am very much looking forward to a change of scenery and climate!
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Old 10-08-2014, 02:06 PM
 
19 posts, read 23,832 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by midwest1 View Post
And there is the fact that you get to explore a whole new side to fashion...wool sweaters, sturdy footwear, scarves, hats, cuorderoys, fur if you are open to that. I actually do think Chicago's fashion sense comes out best in winter...Moscow has nothing on us.
I love winter clothes! I just own very little because even our coldest winter weather only lasts a week or two, and then we're back to 60's+. Definitely gives me an excuse to go shopping
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