Naperville-like community north of O'Hare? (Chicago, Arlington Heights: low crime, homes, good schools)

[asrchicago]

While I am not over-the-top about Naperville, it does have several things that I love and would like to find in a town north of O'Hare. I like the schools, parks (and park district offerings), cute downtown area, shopping, restaurants, & low-crime. Because of my husband's job, it would make more sense to live north of O'Hare (or maybe just south). Are there any communities like Naperville to consider? I would also be willing to go west on I-90. His job doesn't have him in one place. On a given week he might be out of town (easy airport access), downtown Chicago or even up in Milwaukee. Ideas anyone?

[Tex?Il?]

I grew up in the northwest suburbs.

From my experience, the suburbs along I-88 are for the most part very similar to the ones along I-90.

I would say Barrington and Hoffman Estates put together are perhaps the most like Naperville. Barrington has a small-town like downtown and areas around Barrington Hills that have an almost rural feel to it. Hoffman Estates feels more like the newer parts of Naperville

Downers Grove is very much like Arlington Heights.
Palatine, Arlington Heights, and Mt. Prospect all have downtown areas kind of like Naperville. Arlington Hts has the most lively of the three, but is kind of expensive and not too many of the older buildings left, and some high-rises.

Palatine and Mt. Prospect have more older buildings with more small town feel, but are not quite as lively.

All the NW Cook County NW suburbs all have generally very low crime rates and very good schools.

Areas that maybe cheaper but have schools that slightly less good than the others and have slightly more crime might include parts of Wheeling, Rolling Meadows, parts of Des Plaines I would avoid, although Des Plaines is big and I am a little less familiar with it.

Hope this helps! Good luck.

[Steve-o]

I dunno, maybe Long Grove?

[nanannie]

Arlington Hts. Palatine. Neither as big, but both have nice downtowns and very good schools and nice old hoods, as well as sub divisions and chain shopping,restaraunt areas. Also Metra train to the city and easy commute to O'Hare.

[stylist2382]

I would agree go with Long Grove! It has such a small town charm. Beautiful!!

[DonkeyTeeth]

Long Grove is beautiful, but you won't find large subdivisions of moderately priced homes there like you will in Naperville.

If we're combining towns, I'd say throw Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove together and you get a kind of Naperville-ish feel. AH has the nice downtown and older homes, BG has the sprawling subdivisions of newer homes.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by DonkeyTeeth

Long Grove is beautiful, but you won't find large subdivisions of moderately priced homes there like you will in Naperville.

If we're combining towns, I'd say throw Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove together and you get a kind of Naperville-ish feel. AH has the nice downtown and older homes, BG has the sprawling subdivisions of newer homes.

I concur.